The Out & Equal 2006 Workplace Summit
September 14-16, 2006
Hyatt Regency Chicago

[official press kit]

PHOTO ALBUM

Images of the 2006 Summit from our friends at Kodak.

Post-Summit resources are available to help you tell the story of the 2006 Workplace Summit. Download our official Trip Report (500KB PDF) to share with your colleagues and supervisors.  You may also download our dyanamic Trip Report Presentation (1.4MB PPT).  Archival material, including the official Program Book (20MB PDF), the Schedule-At-A-Glance, and our Daily Bulletins can help you recreate the Summit experience. Keep an eye on this space for additional materials from workshops and sessions in the coming weeks (see sidebar at left).

EVERYONE COUNTS!

We're proud to announce the 16th annual Out & Equal 2006 Workplace Summit, the preeminent lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) workplace conference, will take place at Chicago's downtown Hyatt Regency.

• Workshops
  
• Networking
  
• Summit Highlights
  
• Chicago, an ideal host city
  

Chicago delivers an ideal setting for the 2006 Workplace Summit

We're equally pleased
to let everyone know GlaxoSmithKline is our exclusive presenting sponsor.

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Everyone Counts! Fostering change... building alliances... measuring success... it all happens at the Summit. Take a look at what you can expect this September:

The Out & Equal annual Workplace Summit comprises three full days of internationally known keynote speakers, educational workshops, featured speakers and panel discussions, idea sharing, celebrations of progress, lots of networking opportunities, and plenty of fun and entertainment, including the renowned Out & Equal Gala Awards Dinner.

The Summit experience, particularly the expertise of presenters, helps participants leverage the LGBT workplace network in very real ways—new ideas go back to the workplaces and the resulting successes are the basis for the next year’s Summit topics.

Attendance has increased significantly in the past two years, making Chicago the perfect venue for much-anticipated increase in participation in 2006.

The success of a company or organization depends on all members of its workplace community. The Out & Equal Workplace Summit provides a unique opportunity to build alliances that foster safe and equitable work environments for everyone.

Summit programs support the value of LGBT workers and address unique workplace issues within this community. More than 1,500 human resource and diversity professionals, LGBT workplace leaders and straight allies are expected to attend the 2006 Summit.

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Workshops

Summit workshops provide the necessary information and resources to address the multitude of changes happening in the workplace. This year, workshop categories include general education, employee resource group (ERG) effectiveness, LGBT leadership, and organizational culture.

The workshop categories themselves illustrate Out & Equal’s commitment to provide topics that reflect the workplace concerns of such historically under-represented communities as women, people of color, transgender people, and bisexuals.

Expert trainers will present over 100 workshops that focus on advanced topics, including proven successful workshops that challenge and enlighten newcomers to LGBT workplace issues.

Sample workshop topics include (but are not limited to):

• LGBT issues within a global context
  
• Being out as LGBT people of color
  
• The business case for LGBT inclusion
  
• Religious expression & LGBT
  workplace issues
  
• Tapping into the LGBT market
  
• How to build ERG membership diversity

[More information on workshops]

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Networking

The Summit presents many powerful opportunities to network, including a Newcomer’s Reception Wednesday evening and a Welcome Reception and entertainment event Thursday night.

Out & Equal is pleased to announce several new events: a Reception for People of Color and Friends, hosted by Out & Equal’s People of Color Advisory Committee; and a Reception for Transgender People and Friends, hosted by Out & Equal’s Transgender Advisory Committee. The Exhibit Hall provides added opportunities to network. We'll also have a Women's Networking Event (RSVP here ), an International Track Discussion, and more.

[Complete Schedule of Events]

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Summit Highlights

• Gala Awards Dinner with celebrity emcee Kate Clinton (right)
  
• Over 100 workshops and panels
  
• Expanded Pre-Summit Seminar offerings
  
• Anticipated attendance: over 1,800 LGBT workplace leaders and straight allies representing more than 200 companies

[Learn about the Outie Awards]

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Chicago, an ideal host city

Centrally located and the headquarters of many leading companies, Chicago is an ideal location to host this nationally acclaimed conference on LGBT workplace equality.

In Chicago, Summit participants can enjoy a vibrant cultural scene and supportive LGBT community. In anticipation of increased Summit attendance, Out & Equal will offer an unprecedented number of workshops, networking events, and exhibit hall opportunities!

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2007 Summit
Dates and location announced!

Mark your calendars, the 2007 Workplace Summit will take place September 27-29 at the Hilton Washington in Washington, DC.