Next Level Prayer Conference

Designing, installing and managing a 15,000-position seating layout for a major conference event

The Next Level Prayer Conference at ExCeL London required a large-scale seating solution that could be planned, delivered, installed and removed with precision.

Ability Furniture Hire worked closely with The Rite Collective from the early stages of the event planning process, supporting the project with layout design, floor planning, logistics, transport, on-site crew and full project management.

With a total of 15,000 seating positions, this was a major installation that demanded careful planning, clear communication and flawless delivery on site.

The challenge

For an event of this scale, the seating layout was a critical part of the overall production.

The design needed to meet the organisation’s requirements while also working within the venue’s operational guidelines and the requirements of the ESSA eGuide. This meant considering audience flow, access routes, aisle widths, emergency exits, production requirements and the practical realities of installing thousands of chairs safely and efficiently within a live event environment.

ExCeL London is one of the UK’s leading event venues, but large-scale seating installations still require detailed coordination. Timings, access, labour, transport and derig all needed to be carefully managed to ensure the event build stayed on schedule.

Our approach

Ability was involved from the early planning stage, working alongside The Rite Collective to help shape the seating plan and ensure the layout achieved the right balance between capacity, safety, compliance and audience experience.

The full seating design was based around plastic folding chairs and floor bars, creating a practical, consistent and efficient solution for a high-capacity conference environment.

Our team supported with:

• Floor planning and layout development
• Seating design for 15,000 positions
• Guidance around practical venue and eGuide requirements
• Transport planning and delivery scheduling
• On-site crew coordination
• Full installation and project management
• Overnight derig and movement after the event

By being involved early, we were able to identify potential operational challenges before the build, helping The Rite Collective and client move forward with confidence.

Delivery on site

The installation required a coordinated team, clear sequencing and strong site management.

Ability supplied the full transport solution, on-site crew and project management team to deliver and install the seating layout at ExCeL London. Every section needed to be positioned accurately, aligned correctly and completed within the agreed build schedule.

After the event, our team derigged and moved the installation overnight, ensuring the space was cleared efficiently and the venue schedule was protected.

The result

The Next Level Prayer Conference was a huge success, with Ability delivering the complete seating installation from planning through to derig.

The project demonstrated our capability to manage large-scale conference seating requirements at major venues, combining technical planning, operational discipline and hands-on delivery.

For the The Rite Collective and client, Ability provided more than furniture hire. We delivered a complete managed seating solution, from early-stage layout planning through to final removal after the event.

Why it worked

This project succeeded because of early collaboration, detailed planning and experienced on-site delivery.

By working closely with The Rite Collective from the beginning, Ability was able to create a seating layout that met the client’s requirements, supported the event design and worked within the venue’s operational framework.

The result was a clean, professional and efficiently managed installation for 15,000 attendees.

Planning a large-scale conference, exhibition or live event?

Ability Furniture Hire can support your team with high-volume seating, floor planning, transport, installation crews and full project management at major venues across London and the UK.