The first choice or an alternative?

Then the implementation often starts with the chairs, says Sascha Tebrügge from Party Rent. The selection of the event outfitter with headquarters in Bocholt is huge, but that only helps if you are quick. Means, who wants a certain style, should secure 'his' furniture best immediately. "We've been the partner company for Grand Hall there for years," Tebrügge explains the process. "The customer discusses what they have in mind at the Grand Hall on site, or the team there makes suggestions directly based on their experience."

If the concept stands, the whole goes in the best case immediately as an order to Party Rent. After all, that's the way it is: It is not uncommon for event organizers to need several hundred pieces of seating furniture, along with matching tables and buffets. And these can't be reserved for a long time just to maybe decide otherwise after all. "What's gone is gone," says the equipment specialist. Of course, there are always alternatives, but then it's just not the first choice anymore. "We have to plan ahead of time beyond the selection of the material," Tebrügge says. "There are logistical components involved, and the personnel for assembly and transport should be available, after all."

Cardboard boxes as part of the game

Five to six months is the ideal lead time. That's the view of Gary Pott, general manager of the Grand Hall: "All the trades involved in an event should be involved early on. Even catering and engineering." On one occasion, he recounts, there were no chairs at all at an event in the Grand Hall. That, however, was actually by design. "Everyone sat on a cardboard box that also had to be taken to other stations at Zollverein - that was part of a game and went down really well with the guests."