The annual Out & Equal Workplace Summit is the largest LGBTQ conference in the world, with more than 5,000 attendees every year. It brings together executives, ERG leaders and members, and HR and DEI professionals and experts – all working for LGBTQ equality. Over more than 20 years, Summit has grown to become the preferred place to network and share strategies that create inclusive workplaces, where everyone belongs and where LGBTQ employees can be out and thrive.

The 2021 Summit took place as a virtual event on October 6th – 8th.

Speakers

Out & Equal is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP® recertification activities. 

Many of our live workshops are eligible for PDCs—contact learning@outandequal.org for more information.

This year’s Summit experience will maintain our most popular features, while enhancing learning, engagement and celebration across several key elements:

1. Get inspired by exclusive keynote addresses from LGBTQ celebrities, executives, and thought leaders!

We’re in conversation with prominent actors, political leaders, athletes, and corporate and government pioneers who will tell us their stories and help open our minds to what’s possible for us to achieve.

2. Stuck choosing between two sessions?

Summit will feature workshops, roundtable discussions, and panels that provide essential learning for D&I practitioners, ERG members, and allies. This year, participants can access all content workshops. You can choose to take part live or later on, on-demand.

3. Remember the deep connection and dialogue achieved during Out & Equal’s renowned “Snowflake” event?

Mass participation activities have become a hallmark of Summit. They help all of us to better understand our peers’ perspectives. And they highlight and leverage what we all have in common. We are pioneering the use of digital tools to create more opportunities for participant engagement.

4. Build your networks and meet new friends!

We know that connection matters! In the 2020 Summit we pioneered Networking Sessions and a Buddy Program to make sure that the opportunity for meaningful interaction would not be lost. We are refining and building upon these extremely popular programs for the 2021 Summit.

5. Visit a robust virtual Engagement Center that is built around one-on-one interaction!

The center will provide an opportunity to connect with companies and their representatives. You will also be able to connect with non-profit partners and access a marketplace for queer merch. Water bottle, tee-shirt, stickers, or socks…? Yes, please!

6. Celebrate those forging the way for LGBTQ inclusion and workplaces of belonging!

Summit will feature Outie Awards to celebrate and elevate those that are leading the way.

7. Connect with others from around the globe!

We learned in 2020 that a virtual Summit can be even more inclusive than an in-person event, with companies sending more representatives from around the globe to take part. Similarly, captioned plenaries and premier sessions, combined with a flexible on-demand and live schedule, allowed for greater accessibility to the programming.

---

Watch highlights from the 2020 Summit!

2019 Workplace Summit