The Asilomar Microcomputer Workshop (AMW) has played a very important role during its 30
years of existence. Perhaps, that is why it continues to be well attended.
The workshop was founded in 1975 as an IEEE technical workshop sponsored by the Western Area
Committee ofthe IEEE Computer Society. pdf 
Although the Conference severed its relationship with IEEE long ago, and has morphed into the "Asilomar Workshop on Neat Stuff', it has never wavered from its original principles: An invitational meeting of the "movers and shakers" of the industry on the cutting edge of technology. Tightly scheduled, highly interactive formal and informal meetings, no marketing pitches, no non-participating observers, no formal publications, no going to bed until at least one A.M.
Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds is a breathtakingly gorgeous 107 acres of ecologically diverse beachfront land. site
36.6185238, -121.9384360 Asilomar Workshop 36.9964513, -121.9851762 Hacker's Conference
.
A friend of mine attended in the '80s. He explained that there was a lot of trading of inside dope. The conference fee more than covered the Asilomar venue. With the surplus the organizers acquired a good selection of distinguished whiskies that keep one moving and shaking all evening.
- A user's view of microprocessor software and architectural needs, Jack Grimes, Tektronix. 1976. - The Integral C Programming Environment Jim Besemer, Tektronix. 1986.
I attended once in the '90s where the meals together in the daylight served the same purpose for sharing but by then most everyone knew everything.
I sat on a panel addressing teaching kids programming. I suggested that then kids would be wise to learn jQuery because they are more likely to impress their friends with that small library than anything else. I saw some nodding. The only comment was: I didn't expect that.