A good conference gives people something to talk about. A great setting gives them a reason to keep the conversation going.
At the Pablo Center at the Confluence in downtown Eau Claire, creativity comes with the territory. This is a place where artists share their work, musicians take the stage, and people gather to experience something together. Your next meeting can tap into that same creative energy, whether it’s a keynote on a theatre stage, a closing dinner overlooking the rivers, or an evening social outside near the confluence. Here, art and community help set the scene for fresh ideas and new connections.
Whether you’re planning a conference for hundreds, a company celebration, or a smaller professional gathering, the Pablo Center offers spaces and planning support to help make it happen. And with downtown Eau Claire’s local art, restaurants, and hotels close by, there’s plenty to keep your group inspired long after the last session.
Find a Space That Fits Your Agenda
Every gathering has its own rhythm. There’s the presentation that brings everyone together, the smaller conversations that follow, and the end-of-day reception where nobody’s quite ready to leave. The Pablo Center offers several spaces to help you build an event around those moments.
RCU Theatre: Give Your Big Ideas the Stage
Have a keynote speaker who deserves everyone’s attention? RCU Theatre brings your audience together in a space built for a shared experience. Used for keynote presentations and general sessions, it’s an option for the moments when your entire group needs to be part of the conversation. And yes, stepping onto a performing arts stage can make that opening welcome feel a little more special.
JAMF Theatre: A Flexible Space with Personality
With its brick walls and adaptable layout, JAMF Theatre gives conferences, presentations, and seated dinners a setting with character. The space can accommodate approximately 400 attendees in a theatre arrangement or 300 for a seated dinner, with capacity depending on the setup. Whether your plans call for rows facing a speaker or tables that encourage conversation, this space gives you options.
Market & Johnson Clearwater Recital Hall: Gather with a View
A closing banquet, a reception, a dinner with colleagues—some occasions call for a setting that invites people to settle in and mingle. Located on the third floor, the Market & Johnson Clearwater Recital Hall features sweeping views of the confluence and downtown Eau Claire, a double-height ceiling, and a built-in bar.
The space accommodates up to 115 attendees in a theatre arrangement, 90 for a seated dinner, or 150 for a standing reception, depending on the layout. It also includes sound and projection capabilities, so a welcome presentation or closing remarks can fit naturally into the evening.
Riverfront Hall and Performance Gallery: Keep the Conversation Going
For meetings and receptions, the Marilyn Schaefer Riverfront Hall and Richard & Marcia Larson Performance Gallery offer additional options within the Pablo Center. These spaces are worth exploring when your agenda calls for a separate gathering area or a different setting for part of the day. The Pablo Center’s event team can help match the room and arrangement to your group’s needs.
Your event may fit comfortably in one room or unfold across several. Start with your guest count and agenda, then work with the Pablo Center’s team to find the spaces that bring it all together.
See What Bringing People Together Can Look Like
Some of the best inspiration comes from events that have already made the space their own.
In 2026, the Wisconsin Economic Summit brought its “Determination to Dream” theme to the Pablo Center. Presented by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, the summit gathered business and community leaders with approximately 380 attendees/ The event used the full property and incorporated the plaza for an evening social and lunch seating.
The Aaniie, Inc. Conference brought approximately 200 users, vendors, and employees together, showing how the Pablo Center can serve as a gathering place for a company’s broader community. And on a smaller scale, the Midwest Travel Journalists Association held its September closing banquet in the Clearwater space with approximately 50 guests.
For planners, these examples offer a starting point. A conference can use the full property, a banquet can bring a smaller group together, and an outdoor social can give attendees a fresh setting between sessions.
Photo Credit: Megan Zabel Holmes for Visit Eau Claire
Make Downtown Part of Your Gathering
The conversations don’t have to end when the last session does. Plan a closing dinner or cocktail reception at the Pablo Center, then give attendees time to experience downtown Eau Claire. Riverfront walks, public art, local shops, and places to grab a bite make it easy to build a little exploring into the agenda.
Nearby hotels help bring the whole stay together. The Lismore and The Oxbow Hotel keep guests close to the Pablo Center, with gathering spots for morning coffee, dinner, and more.
From hotel options to ideas for the hours between sessions, Visit Eau Claire can help you plan a gathering that feels connected to the community around it.
Ready to put your next meeting on the calendar? Explore private events and corporate gatherings at the Pablo Center and start a conversation about what your event could look like here. And when you're ready to learn more, get in touch with our Director of Sales, Dana Crosson, to begin planning!