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SBC Club, photo courtesy of Irwin Seating Co.

Industry experts answer questions about the most important trends today — and tomorrow — in facility seating

By Pat Pape

One of the most important aspects of any great guest experience is the comfort and cleanliness of the facility’s seating. New materials, seat sizes and cutting-edge technology are just some of the things impacting that experience. IAAM asked experts to share their thoughts on what the public can expect to see — and sit on — in the future.

Q: What is the most important trend in facility seating today?

A: “There is a movement to get the most value out of the seating. Factors in the purchasing decision include comfort, durability, the ability to maximize seating capacity, a supplier’s ability to offer several different chairs to suit the facility’s unique needs for general seating, suite seating, telescopic and VIP seating, and ease of maintenance. The ability to feature team logos on seating is a trend. Outdoor, upholstered seating, such as our Signature product on a cast-iron platform, is also gaining popularity.” — Bruce Cohen, managing director and senior vice president of sales and marketing, Irwin Seating Co.

New Jersey Nets team chairs, Coach Pat Riley and Shaq with the Miami Heat. Photo courtesy of Specialized Seating

A: “This depends on the type of facility — where and how the chairs will be used. In facilities where economics is not an issue, they are requiring more luxurious, comfortable seating. Names, logos and identification on the chairs are more important than ever.” — Harvey Hergott, general manager, Specialized Seating Inc.

A: “Comfort and style have been taking a much more important role than they did even five years ago. Facilities recognize that they are competing with major hotel flags for business. The old “uncomfortable” convention chairs just don't “get it” any longer. Chairs with comfort features, like ComfortWeb seats, flexible backs and attractive fabrics that perform, are replacing the old navy blue fabric over foam on a board.” — Greg Piper, executive vice president, sales, MTS Seating

Q: What is the future of interactive screens and other high-tech devices combined with seating?

A: “Technology keeps changing, but today with WiFi and the new cell phones, you can access real-time stats, scores and other features that formerly required a hardwired unit. Ordering concession and souvenirs can be done through your own PDA or cell phone with a special access code from the facility.” — Chuck Bailey, national sales manager – sports, American Seating Co.

Photo courtesy of American Seating

A: “I’ll only speak to the performing arts. There are already systems on the market for delivering text and limited images to chairs. Opera is the most visible user (so to speak) of such systems for delivery of translation. The bigger issue is marriage of video with live performance. My feeling is that performance video will not be delivered to the chair for a while, but rather will be displayed closer to the action on stage and as a part of the production. “I feel that current technology for information delivery to the chair runs counter to fostering an intimate relationship between the performer and the audience member. That said, I do think that sooner or later a delivery system will be developed that actually enhances that intimacy through video delivery at/in the chair.” — Jack P. Hagler, principal, Schuler Shook

A: “Sports seating, like Dover Intl. Speedway’s DuPont Monster Bridge, has special receptacles for racecar communication devices. The greatest challenge in incorporating technology into seating is the fact that seating lasts for 20-plus years, and technology life cycles are more like three to five years. The technology is obsolete before the seating is.” — Rick Arnold, national marketing manager, American Seating Co.

Q: What is the best material for providing a comfortable seat while at the same time reducing maintenance?

A: “The best general outdoor seating today is constructed with cast iron standards that have been epoxy coated and then powder coated. Plastic seats and backs are blow molded into ergonomic shapes from polyethylene plastic. The materials used in the manufacturing should use the best available UV inhibitors and anti-oxidants. This combination provides the most comfort and greatest longevity.” — Chuck Bailey

Q: What changes are under way in the seating industry as a result of the growing girth of the average American? “

 

Charlotte Arena, photo courtesy of American Seating

A: Just yesterday, I attended a Harlem Globe trotters basketball game. The evening was spent sitting on flip-up theatre-style seats, measuring less than 19 inches wide, on risers that measured less than 30 inches deep, and I was uncomfortable the entire evening. My shoulders were touching the person beside me, and my knees were constantly brushing the person in front of me. Imagine the challenge of a guest, three rows over. He was sitting beside someone who weighed about 300 pounds. The larger gentleman took his allotted space and then some. The smaller gentleman finally resorted to standing in the breezeway, as he could not enjoy the show from his seat. “New buildings or stadiums can be adjusted, now that the phenomenon of a ‘larger customer’ is documented. They can be sufficiently enlarged at the design stage to accommodate these customers. The challenge for existing facilities is different. The outside parameters or walls are already established, and the possibility of pushing out walls to accommodate the same number of larger seats is not possible. Larger seats mean fewer seats to sell. Losing five or 10 percent of available seats as a result of installing larger seats will result in an equal loss in revenue. Which facility today can afford to invest capital on new seats only to have a loss in operational revenues? “The cost of an ever-growing American girth will be felt for at least one generation (at least, that is how long it will take for us to come to grips with this social issue). My fear is that for most of that time, we will be forced to sit through many an uncomfortable event.” — Randy Schellenberg, president, Comfor Tek Seating Inc.

Q: Do you have a favorite stadium or facility where you would want to be if you were sitting through a lengthy show or marathon sporting event?

 

Toyota Suites, photo courtesy of Irwin Seating

A: “My favorite venue is Hope College’s new DeVos Fieldhouse in Holland, MI. It is an indoor arena with upholstered seats that have at least a 21-inch seat width to provide long-term comfort.” — Rick Arnold

A: “Any stadium or arena with chairs from Irwin Seating Co.! We’re currently installing 65,000 s in the new Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The chairs will be very comfortable because the backs and seats, some of which are upholstered for outdoor use, are designed ergonomically.” — Bruce Cohen

A: “MTS provided the barstools for the private suites at Pepsi Center in Denver. These stools come standard with our ComfortWeb seat. That’s where I would want to sit for 10 hours.” — Greg Piper

Q: What design changes do you foresee?

A: “We will continue to see wider, more comfortable chairs. I also think we will start seeing more of what movie theaters are already doing: cup holders, lift arms and rocking chairs. In higher-end facilities, we will see chairs with speakers incorporated into the seat back to create an enhanced audio experience. And chairs with cooled/heated seats and backs are coming. I don’t know how far out they are from the mainstream, but they are coming.” — Jack P. Hagler

A: “More attractive and durable fabrics, such as Crypton™. Lighter weight frames for ease of movement and more use of custom logo backs specific to the facility.” — Greg Piper

Q: How can public seating be more comfortable?

A: “It is amazing how we bring back some of the older techniques to make facility seating more comfortable today. In the ’60s and ’70s, newer facilities required portable seating chairs with a more relaxed pitch and the front-to-back dimensions were longer. In the late ’80s and early ’90s, facilities wanted to maximize seating capacity; so the front-to-back dimensions of portable folding chairs were shortened at the expense of comfort. Today, the more relaxed pitch and changing the seat heights from the old standard 17 inches to 18 inches and even to 191/4 inches adds to the basic comfort level.” — Harvey Hergott

Q: What should a facility do to ensure a long life for its new seating system?

A: “Seating is like anything else; you need to take care of it. Normal maintenance is to check all of the fastenings, anchor bolts and hardware at least once a year. Retighten any that have worked loose and make whatever adjustments and repairs are needed. Most damage to fixed seating, other than vandalism, is due to loosening of the anchor bolts and other fasteners.” — Tom Stratton, district manager, American Seating Co.

Seating by Shuler Shook, Kincaid School, photo courtesy of Drew Donovan Photography

A: “The most important tip is to buy top-quality seating from a reputable manufacturer with a proven track record in quality and standing behind its products. A modest investment will pay off in the long run. Specify the proper product solutions, especially when the seating will be exposed to the elements. Purchase fabrics that are colorfast and impervious to common household cleaners. If the chair will be upholstered for outdoor use, make sure that the fabric has been tested for outdoor use.” — Bruce Cohen

Q: What is the most critical safety feature in seating available today?

A: Safety should be a basic to every chair. No safety feature should be an option. Our chairs meet all safety and fire requirements for public assembly: chairs ganged in rows, flammability issues, ADA access and compliance, etc. Also, due to the “X”-frame design of our chairs, in an emergency situation, our chairs fold flat in either direction. Also, it is most important that the facility set-up crews maintain the proper safety requirements, including the proper number of chairs, aisle dimensions, and row spacing, to allow for a quick, safe egress in the event of an emergency.” — Harvey Hergott

Pat Pape is a freelance writer in Dallas.

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