Set the Room Up for Conversation
Room Setup Ideas for Your Enneagram Team Experience
The way you set up the room can shape the way people participate.
Enneagram workshops are designed for conversation, reflection, and interaction, so whenever possible, we recommend a setup that makes it easy for people to see one another, move around, and talk in smaller groups.
You don’t need the perfect training room. A few thoughtful choices can make almost any space work.
Great for: 20–60+ participants
Why we like it: Makes it easy to move between teaching and small-group discussion without rearranging the room.
Works especially well for: Larger teams, retreats, cross-department groups and longer workshops.
Watch for: Position chairs so participants don't have to spend the whole workshop twisting around to see the screen.
Pictured: The Omni, Downtown Dallas, 34 attendees
Great for: 8–30 participants
Why we like it: Everyone can see one another, while still having a clear view of the facilitator and screen.
Works especially well for: Leadership teams, smaller departments, groups that will spend a lot of time in full-team conversation.
Watch for: Make sure the opening is wide enough for the facilitator to move through the room.
Pictured: Four Seasons Scottsdale Conference Room
Great for: Conferences, large teams + groups of 40–100+
Why we like it: You can comfortably accommodate a larger group without losing the small-group interaction that makes the experience meaningful.
Watch for: Leave enough space between rows for people to move easily to breakout tables, and plan the transition in advance so everyone knows where to go.
Pictured: The Lodge at Torrey Pines Conference Room, 50+ Company Retreat
The Boardroom Setup
Great for: Leadership teams, small departments + groups of 5–15
Sometimes the best room is the one your team already uses. A conference or boardroom table works especially well for smaller groups, creating a natural setting for conversation while giving everyone space for their materials, notes, and reflection.
Why we like it: It feels familiar, comfortable, and conversational, and makes it easy to move between learning and full-team discussion.
Watch for: Make sure everyone can comfortably see the screen without having to turn around for long stretches. For longer tables, consider where the facilitator will stand so everyone feels included.
Pictured: A Coworking Space Meeting Room Rental
The Gathering Space
Great for: Small teams, leadership groups + creative office spaces
Sometimes the best workshop space isn't a conference room at all. An open gathering area with comfortable seating can create a relaxed, conversational environment while still keeping everyone connected to the facilitator and screen.
Why we like it: It changes the feel of the workday without requiring the team to leave the office — and naturally encourages the kind of open conversation and reflection that makes the experience work.
Watch for: Informal spaces don't always include writing surfaces, so think ahead about where participants can comfortably use their materials and take notes.
Think beyond the conference room. If your office has a space where people naturally gather, it may be the perfect place for your Enneagram experience.
Great for: Offsites, retreats + smaller groups
A relaxed, conversational setup using sofas, lounge chairs, and small tables instead of traditional classroom seating. This works especially well for retreats and offsites where you want the experience to feel more like a team conversation than a training session.
Why we like it: The casual environment can make reflection and conversation feel more natural while still giving everyone a clear view of the facilitator and screen.
Watch for: Make sure everyone has a comfortable sightline to the screen and somewhere nearby to place or write in their materials.
Pictured: The Phoenician, AZ, 28 attendees
A Quick Room Checklist
☐ Screen or projector visible to everyone
☐ HDMI/appropriate connection + power available
☐ Reliable Wi-Fi, if needed
☐ Comfortable writing surface for participants
☐ Space for facilitator to move
☐ Room for small-group conversations
☐ Flip chart/easel or wall space, if requested
☐ Participant materials placed at seats or ready to distribute
☐ Water/refreshments considered
☐ Facilitator can access the room before participants arrive
And one that people forget:
☐ Know who to contact if there's an AV or room issue (speaking from experience!)
If We Could Set Up Any Room
The Ideal Workshop Setup
See each other. Conversation is a big part of the experience.
See the screen. Everyone should have a comfortable sightline to the presentation.
Move easily. Some activities may involve changing seats, forming small groups, or moving around the room.
Have a writing surface. Participants may use a field guide, handouts, or reflection activities throughout the experience.
Talk in smaller groups. Even if everyone stays seated, it helps when participants can easily turn toward two or three people nearby.
Keep Planning
Use the Team Experience Planning Checklist to think through your goals, group, timing, pre-work, logistics, and follow-through.
View the Planning Checklist
