2009 Workplace Summit News

The countdown to the 2009 Summit!

        Participants of the 2008 Out & Equal Workplace Summit take part in one of
        many educational workshops offered during the conference.

In less than a week, you will be among nearly 2,000 participants of the 2009 Out & Equal Workplace Summit, the world's premier conference on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workplace equality.

The Summit, held at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, will feature more than 120 innovative workshops, several inspiring discussions about the latest workplace trends and countless opportunities to network and share best practices.

Our speaker lineup has helped shape this year's Summit into the best yet, with Sharon L. Allen, Chair of Deloitte's Board, John Berry, the highest-ranking LGBT official in President Barack Obama's administration, Kevin Brockman, Executive Vice President of Global Communications for Disney-ABC, and Kenji Yoshino, author of "Covering: The Hidden Assault on Our Civil Rights."

This year also marks a special occasion for Out & Equal as we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Workplace Awards, known as "the Outies," on Thursday, Oct. 8 by honoring those who are working toward equality, becoming role models for others in the process.

If you want to begin planning your week at the Summit now, please download the program book, where you can read about each presenter as well as the details of workshops, luncheons and receptions.

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.

Again, welcome, and please stop by the Out & Equal booth and informational kiosk in the exhibit hall.

Welcome Reception:

Don't miss the Summit's opening welcome celebration on Tuesday

Join us at the 2009 Out & Equal Workplace Summit welcome reception on Tuesday, where you'll be able to reconnect with old friends and make new ones as we start the conference. Open to all registered Summit participants. (No-host bar available.)

Tuesday, October 6
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Room: Fiesta Ballroom

Summit Programming:
 
Daylong Leadership Seminars highlight Summit kickoff

The 2009 Out & Equal Workplace Summit kicks off on Tuesday morning with a series of daylong Leadership Seminars, available to you for an additional cost and designed to give participants a thorough understanding of the presented topics.

If you would like to take part in any of the Leadership Seminars, you can still sign up for them when you register for the Summit at the front registration desk.

Leadership Seminars:

Employee resource group leadership seminar
With James Huberty, Tim Wikstrom
Room: Cancun 

Employee resource group leaders will gain an awareness and better understanding of their unique abilities to develop strong relationships with others and to influence outcomes that serve their needs and the needs of those around them.

LGBT leadership diversity: Train the Trainer
With Sheryl Dagang, Ph.D., Terry Hildebrandt
Room: Baja

For more than ten years, Out & Equal LGBT workplace diversity training has been one of the critical elements in advancing policies, benefits and equality for LGBT employees.
 
Regional affiliate leadership seminar
With Stephen Gould
Room: Coronado R-S

This full-day session brings together all members of the Out & Equal Leadership Councils, the leaders of Out & Equal's regional affiliates throughout the country, to share best practices.

The online brand called you
Sponsored by Out & Equal's LGBTCareerLink.com
With Lori Fox, Robb Puckett, Julie Beach
Room: Coronado M-N

You've heard the buzz about online networking. Now learn how to
optimize the features of professional networking sites, like LGBT-
CareerLink.com.

Transgender seminar: Adding the "T" in the workplace
With Ann Dunkin, Jamison Green, Donna Rose
Room: Acapulco

The advances made around sexual orientation in the workplace have been going on for almost 15 years. This seminar includes the basic understandings of workplace equality through the Building Bridges course and then focuses on transgender workplace issues.

Summit toolkit:

Everything you will need to know as you begin 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 on your first day, 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 Schedule

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Breakfast
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Leadership Seminars
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Lunch
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Leadership Seminars
 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Welcome Reception
6:00 PM-8:00PM

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Breakfast & Opening Plenary
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Session 1
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Ticketed Luncheons
12:30 PM -  2:00 PM

Session 2
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Networking Receptions
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Out & Equal Night Out
8:00 PM - Midnight

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

Friday, October 9, 2009

Session 5
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Session 6
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Lunch & Closing Plenary
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

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.