Author: Robert Chapman

When it comes to organizing a live event, audience seating risers play a crucial role in creating an elevated and engaging experience for attendees. These versatile structures not only provide a clear view of the stage and enhance the audience’s overall enjoyment but also offer a multitude of applications in various event settings. Whether you’re hosting a sporting event, a religious gathering, or a corporate event, selecting the right vendor for your seating riser rentals is essential to ensure a seamless and successful event. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the steps you need to take to find a reputable seating riser vendor and highlight the importance of engineering safety for custom stages and rentals.

Choosing the Right Vendor for Seating Risers – Six Steps

When planning an event, it’s essential to select a reputable staging company that specializes in audience and seating risers. Not all event rental companies have the expertise to build multilevel risers, so it’s crucial to choose a vendor with specific experience in this area. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of finding the right vendor for your seating riser rentals. We’ll discuss the importance of selecting a vendor with riser-building experience, finding the right type and size of risers, requesting CAD drawings for visualization, prioritizing safety, checking references, and discussing payment terms. Let’s dive in!

1. Choose a Vendor with Riser-Building Experience

To ensure the success of your event, it’s essential to work with a staging company that specializes in multilevel risers, not just stages. Ask your salesperson if they have previous experience building risers and request pictures or examples. A reputable vendor will be proud to showcase their riser projects, giving you confidence in their ability to meet your needs.

2. Find the Right Type and Size of Audience Seating Risers

“Audience seating” can have different interpretations, so it’s important to verify that the vendor offers the specific type and size of risers you require. For example, if you need choral risers, a company that only rents bleachers may not be suitable. Ask the vendor for pictures or examples of the seating risers they provide to ensure they match your requirements.

3. Request CAD Drawings for Visualizing the Setup

A vendor that invests in CAD design training for their salespeople is a sign of a professional and dedicated company. Requesting a CAD drawing allows you to visualize the riser setup in advance, eliminating any on-site confusion or misunderstandings. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and that the risers will meet your expectations on the day of the event.

4. Prioritize Safety and Compliance

Safety should be a top priority when selecting a vendor for seating riser rentals. Ask your salesperson if they provide ADA ramps, safety rails, and secure step units. Inquire about their familiarity with fire codes and regulations in the municipality where your event will take place. If the vendor doesn’t have satisfactory answers to these questions, it’s best to move on and find a more safety-conscious provider.

5. Check References and Certifications

To gauge the reliability and customer satisfaction of a vendor, ask for references or read testimonials from previous clients. Additionally, a reputable staging company will have affiliations as building contractors with their municipality. Request to see their certification as proof of their professionalism and capability. If a vendor cannot provide references or certifications, it’s a red flag that suggests you should consider other options.

6. Discuss Payment Arrangements and Terms

Ensure a smooth rental process by discussing payment arrangements and terms with the vendor upfront. A reputable firm typically asks for a 50% deposit, with the remaining balance due on the show site. They should also have no problem with the remaining balance being due after you, the client, signs off on the completed build. If a company requests full payment upfront, it is an indication that they may lack the motivation to provide the service you need.By following these steps, you can find a trusted seating riser vendor who will provide you with high-quality equipment and exceptional service, making your event a memorable success.

Engineering Safety for Audience Seating  (and all Rental Stages)

At Texas Choral Riser Rentals, safety is our utmost priority. We believe in open communication and collaboration with our clients to ensure their seating risers are not only visually stunning but also structurally sound. Our team works closely with event organizers, offering detailed structural drawings that demonstrate the safety and customization of our risers. These drawings provide a clear visualization of the setup, allowing clients to have peace of mind knowing that each step of the construction is meticulously planned and executed for optimal safety.  When it comes to safety measures, we leave no stone unturned. Our seating risers are equipped with secure step units and handrails to ensure the well-being of attendees. Additionally, we strictly adhere to ADA requirements, guaranteeing equal access and comfort for all guests, including those with disabilities. By prioritizing safety features and complying with industry regulations, we strive to create an inclusive and secure environment for every event we serve.

When it comes to audience and seating riser rentals, selecting the right vendor is vital to the success of your event. By following the six steps mentioned, you can choose a reputable vendor who specializes in seating risers and meets your specific requirements. At Texas Choral Riser Rentals, we understand the importance of safety and customization. Our commitment to providing detailed structural drawings and adhering to industry standards ensures that every event we support is both visually impressive and structurally sound. Visit our website for more information on our seating riser services and contact us to inquire about rentals. Let us help you create an unforgettable experience for your audience!

Are you in need of the perfect choir riser? Whether you’re hosting a choir performance, school recital, or any event that requires elevated special event seating, selecting the right rental choral riser vendor is essential.

Here are four steps to help you calculate the perfect choir riser:

Step One: Know Your Performance Space

Before ordering a choral riser, it’s crucial to understand the dimensions and layout of your performance space. Accurate measurements are key to ensure the perfect fit.  If you have access to a structural drawing of your church, or a CAD drawing of your event space, grab it!  If nothing else, a tape measure, a pen, and a sheet of paper works too.  Dimensions of your space are the first step in getting your event ready.

Step Two: Know Your Municipality

Complying with local regulations and permits is crucial when selecting the perfect choir riser. ADA requirements are also a necessary consideration when ensuring accessibility for your performers and audience.  Safety is the primary goal when building a structure that will hold people.  If you are planning on preforming in a public space such as a city park or event center, certified engineer drawings may also be required.

Step Three: What is my use going to be?

Knowing your specific use for the choir riser is pivotal in ensuring the appropriate size and weight capacity. Answer questions such as the number of performers, performance style, and any additional equipment or instruments to fulfill your specific requirements.

• Is the choir going to be seated or standing?
• Do you need room for an orchestra on the risers, or in front of it?
• How is the audience going to be seated, and will line of sight be a factor?
• Are you going to amplify the choir through a sound system, and where will it be placed?
• Do you want a narrow performance space with higher tiers, or a wider performance space with lower tiers?

Step Four: Do the Math

Calculating the dimensions and weight capacity of your choral riser is essential for structural stability and safety.  Here’s the basics:

• For seated choirs – a normal banquet chair is 18” wide. With a standing choir, you can estimate shoulder to shoulder at 16” wide. If your standing choir is using songbooks, estimate 20” shoulder to shoulder. Standing children’s choirs can be estimated at 14” wide.
• Now – take your shoulder to shoulder measurements and multiply by the number of voices in your choir. Divide by 12, and this will give you the number of linear feet you need to look at for your choir. Divide by the desired amount of tiers. (Don’t forget that the first row of voices will stand on the ground, or on stage in front of the risers.) From there – add 8’ minimum for aisles on stage right and left.
• For riser depth – standing choirs will typically use 2’ of depth per tiers. Seated choirs will typically use 3.5’ of depth per tier. Multiply by the number of tiers (don’t forget that first row on the ground!) and this will give you the depth needed for your riser.

Additional Uses for Choral Risers

Choral risers may be known for their ability to elevate performances and choirs, but their versatility extends far beyond just that. These multi-purpose staging solutions are like the chameleons of the event world, adapting to various needs and enhancing the overall experience. Here are some additional uses for choir risers that will make you see them in a whole new light:

• Photo Risers: Picture this – a group photo with everyone perfectly arranged in rows, easily visible and capturing the magic of the moment. Choir risers provide a fantastic platform for arranging large groups of people, making it a breeze to capture memorable pictures at events such as weddings, galas, and family reunions. With everyone clearly in view, you won’t have to worry about people being hidden in the back.

• Press Risers: When it comes to media coverage, creating an optimal vantage point for photographers and videographers is essential. By utilizing choral risers as press risers, you not only provide the perfect platform for capturing important moments but also ensure that the media team has a clear line of sight to the subject of their coverage. Press risers are frequently used in events like press conferences, award ceremonies, and red carpet occasions to ensure maximum visibility for media professionals.

• Audience Seating Risers: Want to ensure that everyone in the audience has a clear view of the stage? Choral risers can be transformed into audience seating risers, creating elevated rows of seating for better sightlines. Whether you’re organizing a corporate conference, a school assembly, or a theatrical performance, audience seating risers allow you to maximize the seating capacity of your event space while ensuring that every guest can enjoy an unobstructed view.

Safety, ADA Requirements, and the Best Options for Your Event

Safety is our top priority at Texas Choral Riser Rental. When it comes to choral risers, we understand the importance of ensuring a secure and worry-free experience for performers and event attendees alike. Our choral risers are designed and built with meticulous attention to detail, adhering to industry safety standards and regulations. From the materials used to the construction techniques employed, every aspect is carefully considered to ensure optimal structural stability and durability.

Our team of experts is well-versed in ADA requirements and accessibility guidelines, guaranteeing that our choral risers provide a safe and inclusive experience for everyone. We prioritize accessibility by incorporating features such as ramps, handrails, and non-slip surfaces to ensure seamless and safe transitions for performers and audience members with disabilities.

But our commitment to safety doesn’t stop there. We go the extra mile by providing detailed structural drawings, offering peace of mind and assuring our clients that every element of their event setup meets or exceeds safety regulations.

We know that a successful event requires careful planning and a focus on the well-being of all involved. That’s why we offer a range of choral risers that not only elevate performances but also prioritize safety. Allow us the opportunity to partner with you in creating a memorable and secure event. Contact us today to discuss your event needs, and let us help you find the perfect choral riser that combines safety, functionality, and style.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new website, www.texaschoralriserrental.com! Whether you are planning a corporate event, concert, graduation ceremony, or any other gathering, Texas Choral Riser Rental is here to provide you with top-notch audience seating solutions. With our new website, we aim to make it easier than ever for you to find the perfect audience seating risers to enhance the comfort and experience of your attendees. Our extensive range of services includes choral and choir risers, press risers, photo risers, as well as grandstand seating for VIPs.

Audience Seating Risers for Maximum Attendee Comfort

When it comes to audience seating, we understand the importance of comfort and safety. That’s why we offer a wide variety of riser types to cater to your specific needs and venue requirements. Our choral and choir risers provide an elevated and organized platform for choirs and performers, ensuring optimal visibility and sound projection. Press risers are designed to accommodate media personnel with a clear line of sight to capture the event’s highlights. For capturing memorable moments in photographs, our photo risers create an elevated platform for photographers to get the perfect shot.

We also offer grandstand seating for VIPs, providing an elevated and designated area for special guests to enjoy the event in comfort and style. All our risers are designed with contemporary aesthetics and safety features, including handrails and backrails, to ensure a secure and enjoyable experience for your attendees.

When you need comfortable seating for a small or large audience, indoor or outdoor, our experienced team can customize the perfect riser arrangement to meet your needs.  Take a moment to explore our new website and discover the full range of services we offer. Request a quote today, and let us elevate your next event with our premium audience seating solutions.  Contact Texas Choral Riser Rental to learn more and get started on creating a comfortable and memorable experience for your audience.