A new survey commissioned by Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts uncovered the top item on American professionals' list of demands at meetings is a more comfortable chair. 60 percent of professionals surveyed said that a more comfortable ergonomic chair would help them focus during meetings. Among frequent business travelers, 53 percent complained that meeting room chairs lack proper support for their backs or necks and 48 percent responded that seating is the one aspect they wish could be upgraded at offsite meeting locations. Crowne --Plaza is addressing the need for more comfort in meetings by rolling out a fleet of Herman Miller ergonomic chairs in all properties in the U.S. and Canada. Other survey findings include:--The biggest distraction is uncomfortable seating, with 30 percent pining for a better chair. --More than half (53 percent) of professionals polled said they'd prefer to attend meetings at a location other than their office, such as a hotel or conference facility. --Sixty-three percent of professionals lamented that senior managers or the top boss have the coziest office chairs. Less than a quarter (24 percent) of companies actually offer equal opportunity chair comfort for junior staff members and big bosses alike. By the end of 2007, all Crowne Plazas will have the new Herman Miller Caper chairs in break-out rooms. These chairs will offer attendees who are sitting in daylong working business sessions greater comfort with an ergonomic back, flex-net mesh seat and casters for mobility. For banquet-style seating Crowne Plaza will begin outfitting its larger rooms with a flex-back banquet-style chair, with a contoured seat and flexible back. TagsHotels and Resorts