A Few Extra Chairs

I’ll be honest: I almost didn’t order the extra chairs.

It was a small corporate retreat. Just 12 guests, all confirmed and accounted for. The rental order was finalized & every chair had a name card.

But at the last minute… something in me said: Add a few more.

Not because I was feeling generous with the budget.

And definitely not because I enjoy explaining “overages” on an invoice.

“I added them because after years of doing this, I’ve learned there’s always something or someone you didn’t plan for.”

A speaker who wants to pull up a chair for a fireside chat.

Two guests who decide to sit side by side for a breakout discussion that wasn’t originally on the agenda.

A quiet corner where someone just needs to take a phone call.

A seat for the client’s unexpected plus-one who flew in last minute. Or a new team member shadowing.

Events aren’t spreadsheets. They’re living things. They grow, shift, surprise you.

The room always fills in ways you didn’t expect.

By the end of that retreat, every one of those extra chairs had been pulled into the mix.

For connection. For comfort. For conversation.

So no… I’m not suggesting you double your furniture order but maybe next time you’re finalizing your layout

Leave room.

For the conversations you didn’t schedule.
For the guests you didn’t anticipate.
For the magic you can’t predict.

A few extra chairs never hurt.