If you have several hundred people attending your event, getting everyone seated and served on time is often a challenge, particularly at breakfast and lunch.  One trick that I have learned is to “reserve” a bunch of tables in the back of the room, those that are closest to the entrance. 

By putting double sided “RESERVED” nametents on your back tables, it forces early attendees to the front of the room, closest to the speaker and the stage.  I always enlist the help of the waiters and captains to move people to the tables that are not “RESERVED.” 

The result is the front of the room’s tables get filled quickly and the wait staff can start service – and have an easier time serving since they are catering full tables instead of 2’s and 3’s.  Also, by serving the front tables early, their plates are cleared and they are less disruptive if you are tight on time and the speaker must start.  The late arrivers and stragglers sit in the back of the room and can be served while the program has begun. 

Use this tip just once and your wait staff will love you for it.  It makes their jobs easier. 

Remember to take the “RESERVED” nametents down one at a time so that the server can take care of a full table.  Try it.  Most hotels have reserved signs, but I find they are generally too small so I print my own on Large Nametent Stock and use their stands to elevate them.

What tips do you use to ease traffic congestion during seating?

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