EVENT CAPACITY GUIDES

Choosing the right equipment can sometimes be challenging and varies based on many factors and requirements for each event. We have provided some tables with information that can serve as general guidelines to help you get started. We hope you find this information helpful. Please call us if you have any questions or if you need any assistance in determining the right size and style of equipment to fit your event.

Where to even begin when thinking about needing a tent?!

STEP 1:

Okay, so you’ve been teetering with the idea of needing a tent for your next event, the first thing you need to figure out is what kind of tent are you wanting. Chicagoland Event Rentals has three types of tents: Pole Tents, Frame Tents and Pop Up Tents.

Pole Tents also known as tension tents, tend to be more elegant than the Frame and Pop Up Tent. They consist of a higher peaks and dips and require putting stakes into the ground and hoisting the canopy up with the large center piece poles. Very Similar to how you would imagine a circus tent going up! Pole Tents can only be placed on grass. Most event hosts go with the Pole Tent because of the classic look that they give both on the exterior and on the interior.

Frame Tents are free standing structures that can go on grass, concrete, asphalt., decks, and rooftops! There are no center poles that block the view of the inside, unlike the pole tents. Aluminum poles are visible in the interior roof of the tent.

STEP 2:

Once you have decided what kind of tent you want for your event, it is now time to determine what the guest count will be for your event.

STEP 3:

Once the tentative guest count is made, the next step is to specify what type of event you are hosting.

The chart below helps give you an approximate number of the required square footage you will need per guest depending on the kind of event you are hosting.

EVENT TYPE   SQ. FEET PER PERSON
Cocktail Parties and Receptions Standing Room Only 8 sq. ft. per person
Partial Seating 10 sq. ft. per person
Dining & Banquet Seating 6’x2.5’ Banquet Table 10-12 sq. ft. per person
8’x2.5’ Banquet Table 10-12 sq. ft. per person
4-5’ Round Table 15 sq. ft. per person
5.5-6’ Round Table 15 sq. ft. per person
Theater Style & Classroom Style Seating Tables & Chairs in Rows 8 sq. ft. per person
Additional Space Dance Floor 2-4 sq. ft. per person
Bar 100 sq. ft. per bar
Buffet 100 sq. ft. per table
Band 25 sq. ft. per person
Disk Jockey 50 sq. ft. per table

Maximum Capacity per Tent Size:

Note: These are maximum capacity. If buffet tables, dance floor, etc. will be put under the tents as well, that will reduce the number of guest tables that the tent will accommodate.

10′ x 10′ Tent
1 – 6’ round tables (seats 10)
1 – 5’ round tables (seats 8)
2 – 6’ x 30” tables (seats 16)
10′ x 20′ Tent
2 – 6’ round tables (seats 20)
2 – 5’ round tables plus 1- 8’ x 30” table (seats 16)
3 – 6’ x 30” tables (seats 24)
10′ x 30′ Tent
3 – 6’ round tables (seats 30)
3 – 5’ round tables plus 1- 8’ x 30” table (seats 24)
4 – 6’ x 30” tables (seats 32)
20′ x 20′ Tent or 10′ x 40′ Tent
4 – 6’ round tables (seats 40)
5 – 5’ round tables (seats 40)
6 – 8’ x 30” tables (seats 54)
20′ x 30′ Tent
6 – 6’ round tables (seats 60)
8 – 5’ round tables (seats 64)
9 – 8’ x 30” tables (seats 78)
20′ x 40′ Tent
8 – 6’ round tables (seats 80)
10 – 5’ round tables (seat 80)
12 – 8’ x 30” tables (seat 108)
40′ x 40′ Tent
16 – 6’ round tables (seats 160)
20 – 5’ round tables (seats 160)
24 – 8’ x 30” tables (seats 216)
40′ x 60′ Tent
24 – 6’ round tables (seats 240)
30 – 5’ round tables (seats 240)
36 – 8’ x 30 tables (seats 324)
40′ x 80′ Tent
32 – 6’ round tables (seats 320)
40 – 5” round tables (seats 320)
48 – 8’ x 30” tables (seats 432)

 

DANCE FLOOR SIZING CHART

Floor Size

 Square Feet Capacity 3×3 people
9’x9’ 81 18 9
9’x12’ 108 24 12
9’x15’ 135 30 15
12’x12’ 144 32 16
12’x15’ 180 40 20
12’x18’ 216 48 24
15’x15’ 225 50 25
15’x18’ 270 60 30
15’x21’ 315 70 35
18’x18’ 324 72 36
18’x21’ 378 84 42
18’x24’ 432 96 48
21’x21’ 441 96 49
21’x24’ 504 112 56
21’x27’ 567 126 63
24’x24’ 576 126 64
24’x27’ 648 144 72
24’x30 270 160 80

As a rule of thumb if you are having an event for 100 people than no more than 50% of the total number of people will be dancing at one time. So if you are planning for a party of 100 guest than you should expect to have a 15×15 dance floor since it holds a capacity of 50 people.

STEP 4:

Add up the total square footage that you and your quest will need for your event

STEP 5:

We have provided a chart that you can cross reference for the required square footage for your event. If your total of required space falls between two tent sizes we always suggest to go with the larger tent. It’s always better to have extra space than to be in a crowded space.

Tent Size Square Footage Provided
10’x10’ 100 sq. ft.
15’x15’ 225 sq. ft.
20’x20’ 400 sq. ft.
20’x30’ 600 sq. ft.
20’x40’ 800 sq. ft.
30’x30’ 900 sq. ft.
30’x40’ 1200 sq. ft.
30’x45’ 1350 sq. ft.
30’x50’ 1500 sq. ft.
40’x40’ 1600 sq. ft.
30’x60’ 1800 sq. ft.
30’x70’ 2100 sq. ft.
30’x80’ 2400 sq. ft.
40’x60’ 2400 sq. ft.
40’x80’ 3200 sq. ft.
40’x100 4000 sq. ft.
40’x120 4800 sq. ft.
40’x140’ 5600 sq. ft.

 

STEP 6:

Call Chicagoland Event Rentals