Conferences, Convention Center, Corporate Events, Events, Hiring AV Labor for Events, How to plan an event, Monterey - February 17, 2026

Asilomar Meeting Venue + 2026 Audio / Visual Corporate Workshop and Conference Trends

Monterey Bay Meetings • Coastal Retreat Vibes • Turnkey A/V

Asilomar Meeting Venue Guide (with 2026 A/V Trends for Workshops & Conventions)

Whether you’re planning a boardroom strategy meeting for 12 guests, a training seminar for 100, a team-building retreat for 300, or a corporate conference for 600 guests, our experienced team is ready to guide you through every step of the process. Submit your Request for Proposal today and let us bring your vision to life.

Key concepts explored in this blog post:

Turnkey audio + lighting + video Hybrid-ready production Wireless mic confidence Fast room flips + breakout support

Why planners love Asilomar for meetings

Asilomar is built for “work + getaway” events: main-session halls, a deep bench of breakout rooms, and multiple dining/commons spaces that make networking feel natural (not forced… unless you schedule icebreakers).

Scalable venue mix: big plenaries, mid-size forums, and tons of breakout options.
Retreat-friendly flow: easy transitions from sessions → meals → team building.
Great fit for: offsites, trainings, leadership summits, association conferences, and brand workshops.

Pro tip: the best events here treat the venue like a “campus” — one big story, lots of smaller moments.

Room & space guide (who each space is perfect for)

Below are popular meeting spaces and how they map to real-world event formats — board meetings, trainings, breakouts, plenaries, and receptions.

Big plenary / keynote (300–600+)

Merrill

Ideal for conferences, keynote sessions, and large general sessions. Theatre up to 569 Classroom up to 250 ~4,938 sq ft

Merrill + Hearthside

When you want the “big room” plus extra flexibility (think: stage, IMAG, demo zone, sponsor tables). Theatre up to 650 Classroom up to 270 ~5,703 sq ft

Mid-size sessions (80–200)

Fred Farr Forum

Great for training blocks, panels, and “everyone pays attention now” sessions. Theatre up to 176 Classroom up to 84 ~2,461 sq ft

Heather

Flexible for workshops, breakouts, and smaller plenaries. Theatre up to 110 Classroom up to 60 ~1,740 sq ft

Nautilus

Excellent for training and interactive workshop layouts. Theatre up to 100 Classroom up to 54 ~1,517 sq ft

Breakouts, roundtables & working sessions (12–60)

Scripps

Perfect for board-style discussions, roundtables, and interactive sessions. Theatre up to 60 Classroom up to 33 ~1,141 sq ft

Triton

Solid for small breakouts, speaker prep, and committee meetings. Theatre up to 40 Classroom up to 20 ~741 sq ft

Evergreen / Oak Shelter

Great “do the work” rooms for breakouts and tracks. Theatre up to 44 Classroom up to 20 ~814–817 sq ft

Acacia / Toyon

Small-group workshops, coaching sessions, and hands-on learning. Theatre up to 40 Classroom up to 20 ~676 sq ft

Photo: Cozy billiard room with two ornate wooden pool tables under warm lighting Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds - Pacific Grove California

“Signature vibe” spaces (beautiful moments + memorable gatherings)

If you want a setting that feels less corporate and more “wow, this is why we came here,” Asilomar’s character spaces shine: fireplace warmth, big windows, decks, and views that turn breaks into bonding.

Grace Dodge Chapel: a striking space with oversized windows and ocean/meadow views (great for special sessions, talks, or reflective programming).
Seascape Dining Room: character + views + a deck for transitions and networking.
Historic Scripps Dining Room & Patio: smaller gatherings with charm, ideal for executive dinners or VIP receptions.
Surf & Sand Dining Room: intimate, warm, and ideal for smaller hosted meals.

Want us to recommend the best layout for your agenda? Send your headcount + goals and we’ll map rooms to your run-of-show.

Photo: Crocker Dining Hall Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds - Pacific Grove California

Best for 12 guests

Boardroom strategy, leadership planning, finance reviews, vendor negotiations.

Table mics or discreet boundary mics
Single confidence display (speaker notes)
Simple Zoom bridge with clean audio

Best for 100 guests

Training seminar, product workshops, association breakouts, certification programs.

2–4 wireless mics (plus a backup)
Slide + video playback tuned for readability
Q&A mics to keep energy moving

Best for 300 guests

Team-building retreat, sales kickoff, multi-track workshops, internal summit.

Breakout audio kits (fast flips)
Stage wash lighting + IMAG if needed
Capture sessions for internal replay

Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds - Pacific Grove California

Best for 600 guests

Corporate conference, keynote + panels, awards program, multi-day convention programming. The winning formula is usually: one strong main room + well-supported breakouts + a production plan that keeps transitions tight.

Main session: confident audio coverage, bright visuals, and a clean stage look.
Breakouts: consistent kits so every room “feels like the same event.”
Recording / hybrid: broadcast-style direction so remote attendees aren’t an afterthought.

2026 A/V trends for conventions & workshops (what attendees now expect)

1) Broadcast-ready hybrid production

Hybrid isn’t “a laptop on a table” anymore. In 2026, the expectation is intentional lighting, clean audio capture, camera direction, and a show flow that works for both in-room and remote audiences.

Mindwarp take: If you’re hybrid, plan it like a live show — and it will feel premium.

2) Immersive displays (LED walls + bigger visual impact)

Video walls and immersive displays keep the room engaged, improve readability, and make content look modern — especially in large plenaries and keynote sessions.

Mindwarp take: LED is your “confidence booster” for big rooms and bright content.

3) AV-over-IP + networked audio/video

Networked signal transport helps scale multi-room events efficiently, reduces cable chaos, and makes it easier to route audio/video where you need it (main room, overflow, recording, stream).

Mindwarp take: Great for multi-track workshops and quick room flips.

4) Security + reliability become “the new luxury”

As systems get more connected, planners and IT teams care more about secure, stable setups — especially when your event uses venue networks, cloud tools, or integrated control.

Mindwarp take: A secure, stable show is the most underrated guest experience upgrade.

5) AI tools that help audiences follow along

Smarter workflows for captions, accessibility, and language support are becoming standard asks — particularly for conferences with diverse audiences and recorded session libraries.

Mindwarp take: Accessibility wins are attendee-experience wins.

6) Sustainability-minded production choices

Efficiency matters: right-sized gear, energy-conscious display choices, fewer truck rolls, and workflows that reduce waste without sacrificing production quality.

Mindwarp take: Smart design can be greener and smoother.

Quick planner checklist (send this with your RFP)

Headcount + room style: theatre vs classroom vs rounds vs U-shape.
Content type: slides only, video playback, demos, panels, audience Q&A.
Audio needs: handhelds, lavs, headset mics, Q&A mics, playback audio.
Video needs: projection vs LED, confidence monitors, IMAG (camera on screen) for big rooms.
Hybrid/recording: livestream, multi-cam, records for on-demand library.
Schedule reality: turnaround time between sessions and how many breakout tracks run simultaneously.

Photo: Rustic wooden auditorium with rows of brown seats facing Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds - Pacific Grove California

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