2009 Workplace Summit News

Summit: Opening Plenary a success!

   Out & Equal Workplace Advocates' Founding Executive Director Selisse Berry
   addresses the crowd during Wednesday's Opening Plenary.

You're first full day at the 2009 Out & Equal Workplace Summit is well underway, and we hope you enjoyed the insights from famed entertainer Leslie Jordan, internationally acclaimed author Kenji Yoshino and Kevin Brockman, Executive Vice President of Global Communications for Disney-ABC, during the Opening Plenary.

Before you head into your next featured panel and workshop, don't forget about the fun receptions that are lined up for you this afternoon, providing you the opportunity to network with others from across the country who share your same commitment to workplace equality.

Later tonight, please join us for the Out & Equal Night Out, featuring LGBT films and karaoke. Check your program book for details about each film, as well as the locations for each event.

And DON'T forget to follow us on Twitter and join the 2009 Out & Equal Workplace Summit Facebook fan page, where you can
stay up-to-date, explore daily photos posted by staff and participants, and interact with others.

Summit Programming:
 
Thursday offers another complete day
of innovative workshops and awards

Thursday continues our series of innovative workshops, starting with inspirational speeches in Plenary II.

We are offering you a complete session of longer workshops - which we are calling our extended workshops - to help maximize your overall learning experience at the Summit, and we are interested in learning what you think about the lengthier time. Thursday concludes with the Out & Equal Workplace Awards, known as "the Outies," that this year celebrate 10 years.
 
Plenary II
Sponsored by Deloitte 
Please join us for the Summit's Plenary II, set for 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. in the Coronado Ballroom.

Plenary speakers

Sharon L. Allen
Sharon L. Allen is Chair of Deloitte and is recognized as one of the most influential businesswomen in the world.

Selisse Berry
Selisse Berry is Founding Executive Director of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, the only national nonprofit dedicated exclusively to LGBT workplace equality.

Host Jonathan Capehart
Jonathan Capehart is an editorial writer for The Washington Post, specializing in national politics and environmental issues.

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Luncheons
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Regional affiliate luncheon
Room: Coronado H
This event is an opportunity to mingle and share ideas for bringing Out & Equal programs and LGBT workplace equality to life beyond the Summit. Lunch is included with your ticket, available at registration.

UPDATE: United ENDA brown bag luncheon
Room: Fiesta 1-2
Members of the United ENDA Steering Committee discuss the status of the fully-inclusive federal nondiscrimination legislation.

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Book signings

Several well-known authors are joining at the 2009 Workplace Summit. Please visit them in the exhibit hall.

Dr. David M. Hall
Noon - 2 p.m. at the Outie Store
Dr. David M. hall is a distinguished corporate diversity trainer and college instructor, having taught graduate courses in the history and ethics of human sexuality, sexuality and law, addressing LGBTQ issues in school, and other related topics.

Kate Clinton
2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Kate Clinton is a political humorist, family entertainer and author.

Todd Solomon
3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Todd Solomon is a partner in the employee benefits department of McDermott Will & Emery at its Chicago office. He is the author of "Domestic Partner Benefits - An Employer's Guide."

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Reception & Awards Dinner
 
Awards Dinner Reception
Room: Coronado Foyer
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate workplace equality and join us for the Out & Equal Workplace Award Dinner reception.

Out & Equal Workplace Awards Dinner
Room: Coronado ballroom
7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Don't miss the Out & Equal Workplace Awards Dinner, which honors the dedication of individuals and organizations working toward equality. The Out & Equal Workplace Awards, known as "the Outies" and are among the most recognizable honors of LGBT workplace equality, are given in five different categories, with two recognizing individuals and three recognizing organizations.

Thursday Changes:
 

Room changes

Workshops

Outing your brand on Campus
Moving to Fiesta 4

Workshop session change

A celebration of coming out
The workshop has moved to Session 5. It will be in Coronado G.

Luncheons

United ENDA brown bag luncheon
Moving to Fiesta 1-2

  Tomorrow's Schedule

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Breakfast & Plenary II
8:00 AM -  9:30 AM

Session 3 (Extended Workshop)
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Ticketed Luncheons
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Session 4
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Awards Reception
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Awards Dinner
7:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Summit toolkit:

Everything you will need to know as you continue your 2009 Summit experience

We want to assure your 2009 Out & Equal Workplace Summit experience is the best, and we've organized a toolkit to help you maximize your experience.

Learn about the Summit by reading past e-communications or downloading the program book, where, in addition to in-depth programming details, you can find maps for Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and the surrounding area.

What you need to know

Maps
If you need help navigating your way around, please take a look at our maps.

Registration
Upon registering, you will be given your 2009 Workplace Summit  name badge and participant bag, which will include your program book.

Badges
Your name badge serves as your entrance into plenaries, workshops, panels and the exhibit hall. It must be worn at all times and must be visible. If your badge is not visible, conference staff or monitors may ask to see it before allowing you into conference events.

Dress code
Casual office wear is appropriate for much of the Out & Equal Workplace Summit. Many attendees wear shirts with their company logos and we invite you to show your team spirit. We also have Out & Equal merchandise available at our store in the exhibit hall.

Email and business services
Gold-level sponsor Dell will provide cyber stations with free Internet access on a first-come, first-served basis during Summit hours. Disney's Coronado Springs Resort will also offer fee-based wireless Internet throughout the convention center and hotel.

• Wireless Internet access is available for an additional fee
• High-speed Internet access is available for an additional fee

Business center
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort is especially friendly to business travelers due to its extensive meeting facilities. The large business center provides computer, Internet, copy, fax, notary and other related services. Some services require an additional fee.

Cell phones and electronics
Out & Equal recognizes that Summit participants may need to take work-related or family calls while they are taking part in the week's events, but we ask that you silence your cell phones and other communications devices during workshops, plenaries and other educational forums. If you must take a call, please exit the room before answering it.

Exhibit hall information
This year's exhibit hall will feature numerous businesses dedicated to workplace equality. Visit their booths for more information. The exhibit hall is open noon to 5 pm Wednesday and Thursday.

Photography
Out & Equal respects that some Summit participants value their privacy and do not wish to have their photographs taken. Partici- pants with a black dot on their credential have asked not to be photographed during the Summit. Please respect their requests. Please be aware that unless you clearly express your desire not to be photographed and avoid cameras when they appear, your image may appear in press coverage or be used for Out & Equal promotional material.

Contact Out & Equal staff
There are hundreds of Summit volunteers available throughout the event to answer your questions. If a volunteer is unable to answer your questions, please call 415-694-6500.

2009 Summit Sponsors

Thank you!

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates™ is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
Out & Equal champions safe and equitable workplaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgender (LGBT) people. The organization advocates building and
strengthening successful organizations that value all employees, customers, and
communities. See our website.