Conference Services

Conferencing Solution Providers

2009-09-05T02:26:00.000-07:00

Dedicated conferencing solution providers, such as InterCall http://www.intercall.com, provide their own networking architecture and custom software. This is an option to use if you’re a business – even a relatively small one – and need the software customized to your uses.

InterCall’s conferencing ranges the gamut from web conferencing (allowing someone running the conference to run a slide show as part of a chat session), all the way up to high-speed IP-based video conferencing (where everyone participating is on live video) over a dedicated fiber optic network.

InterCall can even recommend vendors to wire your business for fiber to facilitate video conferencing. InterCall touts its products and services as being ideal for small to medium sized businesses, and for one-to-many presentations, like sales meetings and financial reports. In particular, InterCall is a boon if you want to minimize business travel expenses. Its one-time setup fees are comparable to one or two round trip business-class air fares at current market prices.

If you’re not up to having dedicated services set up, InterCall also offers an Event Solutions package, where one of their specialists will help set everything up and go through a dress rehearsal of the technology to make this work for your needs and your business.

This level of support is one of InterCall’s primary differentiators from free and competing services. A lot of businesses lack the expertise or the manpower to do this themselves beyond the bare bones functionality of NetMeeting or Instant Messenger programs.

One of InterCall’s competitors in the conferencing solutions field is ACTTel (www.acttel.com), which offers reserved operator assisted web, audio and video conferencing solutions over the internet, including pass code security.

While their prices are a bit lower, they don’t offer dedicated support for one time usage, though they appear to have more technical offerings in Voice over IP telephony and telephone integration, allowing clients to use their phones to call a toll-free number to access an audio conference. One minor limitation on ACTTel’s offering is that conferences are limited to 50 participants, plus one host.

For users in Canada and Australia, conferencing solutions are more or less run by the telephone companies, such as Bell Canada and servicepoint.com. No doubt, as the market matures, there will be competing private options for conferencing as well.

As broadband gets more widespread, and more homes are built with direct fiber optic connections by utilities, expect conferencing to move from the corporate sphere into the private home, following the path set by Instant Messenger programs in the ‘90s.

http://www.allconferenceservices.com/conferencing-solutions.html

Advantages of Video Conferencing Services

2009-09-05T02:25:00.001-07:00

1. Video Teleconferencing Communication (VTC) bases its success and the success of its operators on connecting people with the services they need in order to operate effectively with little effort and minimal investment.

2. By eliminating geographical restrictions, businesses who take advantage of video conferencing services are able to improvise and improve their operations at the drop of a hat

3. Meetings can be held with selected participants in a controlled setting that is either well planned or spontaneous – thus eliminating past problems with time consuming logistics of travel and accommodations.

4. Video conferencing services offer managers the ability to approach and solve the ever-changing demands of an evolving marketplace with a few clicks of the mouse.

5. The ability to share, coordinate and evaluate digital or audio presentations from the other side of the world can be performed in seconds.

6. Allows management, employees, contractors and even clients to conduct simultaneous communication and collaboration on time sensitive projects.

7. Able to provide noticeable dollar savings by reducing and, in some cases, eliminating the need for others to travel to a pre-determined conference site.

8. Able to hold board meetings in a consistent manner on regular schedules.

VTC gives moderators the ability to control attendance, time, content and frequency of meetings. This communication tool allows the moderator the freedom to invite participants of their choice while being able to deny access to anyone whose presence is not welcome. In addition, the moderator is able to effectively shadow and monitor conversations between other participants in the meetings.

Depending on the software utilized, VTC technology gives the moderator the unique ability to integrate scheduling requirements with automated emailing functions. Moderators can organize unlimited future teleconferencing virtual board meetings prior to the actual dates of the conference.

Consultation advisory emails are followed up by automated responses from intended participants well in advance of planned meetings so there is never any guessing as to who will attend and how long they will participate at any given time.

Enhanced video conference service is an easily managed module which enables moderators the freedom to achieve their business goals via the well-oiled machinery of enhanced communication, which ultimately offers them the opportunity to dedicate their expertise to the business’s other most valuable commodity – time.

In addition to increasing productivity and communication within the Company, video conferencing provides tangible savings in time that previously would be spent idle in airports and hotels, not to mention the expenses of airline tickets and room accommodations. In addition, with today’s unpredictable airline security issues, safety considerations need not be addressed on a consistent basis.

With less travel, more opportunity to share and co-ordinate information globally and the ability to monitor and control various aspects of a far-reaching field of command, an effective manager will soon see the benefits of video teleconferencing.

The time and money saved can be re-invested in other pursuits such as increased sales, marketing and advertising, which of course will be a huge asset to the bottom line.

Video conferencing with its desktop moderator control is limited only to the imagination of its manager. Online meetings, product demonstrations, after sales service presentation to clients and staff training sessions are only a few of the many advantages of virtual communication.

No other business module grants the freedom of connectivity and communication like the real time module of video conferencing services.

Conference Call Services - Meet Your Communication Needs

2008-09-10T01:47:00.002-07:00

Conference call services have become one of the most advanced ways to make business conference with the help of internet. Nowadays there are several businesses which seek the help of conference call providers to set up conference call services to their current infrastructure. Conference call services can vary from simple audio conferencing to video conference calling and web conference calling. Let us see how one can avail conference call services in the most economic way possible.

Most conference calling services charge by the minute. You can find conference calling services that are complex enough to hold a conference call within minutes. Usually you will plan well in advance for your conference calls. You will want to decide on the importance of a few features that are commonly found with most conference calling services.

In a web conference call services people can take questions and give answers, which can be recorded and later used for further interaction. With web conference calling, all the meetings which were conducted in the conference hall can now be conduced in individual offices. This helps to save both time as well as money.

Take you pick of conference call services only after knowing in and out of such services. Before you take your pick, get detailed information on what kind of services a particular deal will be having. Some conference call services providers also have the facility of recording your conference so that you are able to take reference of the conference whenever you need.

Another cost saving factor with conference calling services is that the customers need not have to purchase any additional equipment other than a conventional telephone system. Using conference calling, a customer can arrange conferences for two to 200 people.

Selecting the ideal type of conference call according to your needs can save money. If you need to transfer illustrations and other data then web conference calling is the best choice. These days there are several companies offering online conference call services. The rates and the schemes offered by one conference call provider vary from the other. Therefore, it is advisable to compare various conference call providers a before selecting any conference call provider for your service. This helps you to select the best deal available in the market. Selecting a good web conference call service provider will help you to get conference business conference calling service at affordable rates.

How to find the free conference call services?

2008-09-10T01:47:00.001-07:00

Remember when everything on the Internet was free? When the idea of making money from an online service would cause the inventor of Napster to shudder in disgust? Those days aren’t necessarily over. There are still plenty of free online services out there, especially those powered by VoIP or P2P (peer-to-peer) technology, including free phone calls, free faxes, free conference calls, free phone cards, free lookup services and free webcasting.

Lypp extends low cost conference call service to 20+ countries

2008-09-10T01:47:00.000-07:00

Most of the low cost conference call and free conference call services are based out of USA and Canada and some in UK. However not many conference calling companies have really taken the other developed or developing markets seriously. Especially Australia, Europe, India and China has huge potential for Conference Calling Service. With offices, Call Center and BPO services moving to office to get the cost advantage, companies are not replying on cost effective methods of communication and of course everyone needs to talk to their employees without the need to travel to different office. The need of Video Conference Call services and Call Conference solutions is extremely high during this transition period. Lypp, a low cost conference call service now extended their services to over 20 + countries mainly Australia, UK, Germany. Existing and new users in North America can also now include participants from 20+ countries. They only charge you for minutes you use and there are NO additional long distance costs if you use the outbound calling feature. Lypp can be used via traditional toll-free conferencing or via outlook or blackberry phone. We believe this market is going to increase further with more and more conference calling companies explore emerging markets for conference calling services.

Birmingham Conference Venues

2008-02-14T01:09:00.000-08:00

When it comes to conferences, the city of Birmingham, in the heart of Britain, is one of the most popular places. A bustling hubbub of business activity, Birmingham is a natural centre for business conferences, business meetings, and business events. Conference venues abound in Birmingham, and for those in all types of businesses there is no shortage of conference services. When it comes to business conferences, Birmingham attracts almost half of the yearly trade.

One of the first things that you want to do when planning one or more conferences in Birmingham is to find out which venues will fit the needs of your particular business. This should not be a problem, since the city has so many well-equipped conference venues and has been hosting a variety of conferences for so long that there are venue hosts that can help you with anything that you might need.

If you decide that Birmingham would be the best place for your business conference, then start with a count of how many people will be attending. This should be easy enough, although you always want to allow for more people than you actually think may be attending your events. It is fairly easy to compensate if less people show up than planned, but looking for last minute accommodations for extra people can be a bit tricky. Overbook just a bit, and you won't be scrambling to find hotel rooms and conference space for extra people at the last minute.

When you are searching for the right accommodations for your conferences in Birmingham, start by concentrating on particular conference centres. If the type of business that you are in requires certain accommodations and equipment for your conferences, then you need to peruse the conference centres to see which ones have everything that you need. Many times the conferences will be attended by upper management, so certain things will probably be standard, such as Internet access and equipment for making large presentations such as screens, projectors, and other audio-visual equipment. Normally many of these things, such as the Internet access, should be present in the hotel rooms as well as in the conference rooms. High tech businesses may need more than the standard equipment, and possibly more complicated conference services. Be sure as you are querying the different conference centres that you tell them your specific needs. Many centres will be already equipped with what you need, although most will be happy to provide extra conference services, equipment, and accommodations if your group is going to be large enough.

There are many conference centres from which to choose in Birmingham, and depending on your needs, you can book accommodations and conference services for up to 3000 people. Home to some of the largest and most elaborate centres for conference services, Birmingham provides a central location for business as well as other types of conferences from all over the world. Not only should you be able to find conference services for any type of venue, you should also be able to find some of the finest catering and hotel accommodations in the world. Travel to Birmingham is easily arranged, as over fifty airlines travel to and from the airport.

Getting to Birmingham from strategic places all over the world is rarely ever difficult, and once you are there, a variety of airport transport services are available to shuttle groups to and from the conference centres. Transportation around the large bustling city is also extremely convenient, with anything from individual car hire to rails, buses, and trains. Being the type of city that has been providing services for conference venues for many years, Birmingham is well equipped with professional travel guides and travel services that can help businesses and individuals plan a business or other type of conference from arrival to the moment of departure, including many highly reputable catering services for the extension of your stay.

A business or other type of conference is rarely "all business", and besides the conference services that Birmingham provides, there are also some interesting tourist locations scattered about the city. During breaks in the often tedious schedules of conferences and business meetings, conference participants can take time to see and visit some of the wonderful sights and places in the city. Acres of beautiful botanical gardens are located within the city, as well as a national sea life centre boasting a transparent tunnel for viewing, and a highly reputable arts and exhibition centre.

The best way to plan for your conference services and events in Birmingham might be to use a professional conference planner. Even for small conference groups, a planner can see to details that will ensure the comfort of the participants as well as the functionality of the conference itself. From travel for the participants to food, lodging, and transportation, a planner can help make your conference a successful one from start to finish.

What In The World Is A Conference Calling Company And Why Would I Want One

2008-02-14T01:08:00.000-08:00

There are so many handy new inventions these days, that we couldn't begin to name them all. We live in a push button world. It's all about comfort and convenience. A conference calling company is another one of those latest conveniences, that many businesses and corporations are learning to not live without. Our world of reaching out has changed so much in the past ten years, that if we look back, it seems as if to say, hello, why didn't I think of that sooner. How did we ever get along without all the gadgets. Just look at the advancements in cell phones alone. This article will talk about what a conference calling company is, and can do for you.

If we were to just look at cell phones in the past few years, it is amazing at all the changes that have taken place. A conference calling company can help you use your cell phone on a new level. I remember some of the first cell phones were large and cumbersome. They much resembled the older phones in our homes. They then got smaller and smaller until you can now easily fit one in a purse, or hook it to your pants, or even fit it in your pants. You can do all kind of things now with a cell phone too. You can take pictures, play games, even listen to music, but have you ever thought about holding a conference or business meeting on one. A conference calling company can help you do this.

You might be asking how can a conference calling company allow me to hold a business meeting on my cell phone. The fact is, they can not only help you hold the meeting on your cell phone, but can allow others to meet with you at the same time on their cell phones as well. This means that you can now hold a conference meeting from anywhere in the world no matter what you are doing. You might be on vacation, and the conference calling company can set up with all parties involved, a certain time to call in to a central number where you can all not only hear each other, but each party would be able to participate in speech as well.

A conference calling company doesn't just work through your cell phone, but they can allow you to meet on line as well. With the proper equipment installed on your computer, you can not only converse on line, but see each other as well. You can show documents, hold a slide show presentation and many numerous other options as well. What a world we live in. With the use of a conference calling company you can probably not only save time, but money as well. No more waiting for people to arrive, or paying overtime. Just think of all the possibilities you can have, with a conference calling company doing all the organizing work for you. All you have to do is the presentation.

Tips and Tricks for Finding a Conference Hotel

2008-02-01T05:40:00.000-08:00

If you have been given the job of finding a conference hotel, you'll know that this can seem to be a daunting task. Whether it's for a sales conference, a seminar you are holding or any other reason, you need to be sure that the your chosen conference hotel is up to the job.

Whenever possible, you should make arranIf you have been given the job of finding a conference hotel, you'll know that this can seem to be a daunting task. Whether it's for a sales conference, a seminar you are holding or any other reason, you need to be sure that the your chosen conference hotel is up to the job.

Whenever possible, you should make arrangements to visit the hotel before choosing it for your conference. Try to schedule several visits in the same day so that you don't spend too much time away from your main job. And don't be afraid to just call in to a hotel if it looks promising - you may have to wait a while to be seen, but it is highly unlikely that a hotel will turn you away if you are looking to run a conference there.

What to Look For in a Conference Hotel

Firstly, make sure that the conference room you are looking at is big enough for the conference you are holding. Your chosen hotel will tell you how many people the conference room will seat. There are several different ways of measuring the number of seats. The most common are:

Theatre style

Dining

Board room

Classroom

Reception

These names should be self explanatory, but if you are not sure then you should double check with your conference hotel before finalizing your booking.

If you need other facilities at your conference, you should check whether your hotel can supply them or if you need to bring your own.

Some of the things you need to check for when you are organizing a conference at a hotel include:

Flip charts and marker pens

Overhead projector

Slide projector

Sound system

Your chosen conference hotel will make a charge for using their conference room. If the conference is only to be held during the day, then there is no need for an overnight stay for your delegates. In this case, you will be charged a 'day rate'. Usually, the day rate will include tea and coffee for breaks and possibly a buffet style lunch. As with everything else, you need to be certain about what is included in the price you are quoted.

If your conference lasts longer than a day, you should negotiate a special deal with your hotel so that delegates can stay overnight, probably at a special reduced conference rate. After all, you will be booking a number of delegates for your conference in the hotel, so you should expect a discount on their normal rates.

A Web Conference Service as a Customer Service Enhancement

2008-02-01T05:38:00.000-08:00

A web conference service is usually a hosted application. It enables online collaboration in a conference-like environment sometimes including video. A web conference service opens many communication options for internet businesses.

The very nature of the internet which breaks down geographical barriers and makes it possible for internet businesses to conduct business anywhere in the world has changed the face of sales, customer service, technical support and interpersonal communications. While the opportunities in e-business are grand, a company's ability to provide personalized service has been somewhat hindered. The impersonal nature of the internet has practically eliminated face-to-face interactions between businesses and their customers. A web conference service has the potential of changing that.

Using a web conference service can improve your sales process. When you have a sales proposal to make, a web conference service can put you virtually in front of your audience to make your presentation regardless of where the conference participants are located. In a web conference interaction is possible so you can answer questions, clarify your proposal, counter objections, negotiate if necessary and close the sale.

A web conference service can help you to provide more personalized customer service to your clients. While it may not be practical to use a web conference service for every customer service call, in cases where something needs to be discussed or explained, especially when more than two people are involved in the discussion, a web conference service with video capabilities enables interaction and removes the disadvantage of misunderstandings that can occur when it isn't possible to interpret one another's non-verbal language. So, a web conference service can also be a wonderful customer service tool.

One-on-one or group training can be effectively accomplished using a web conference service. If you are in a tech industry or another industry that requires customers to be trained once they purchase a product, a web conference service is very valuable. It can actually enable a company to provide training that they would otherwise be unable to provide because of geographic limitations and exorbitant costs that can be associated with traveling for the purpose of conducting training. With most web conference service files can also be shared between participants in the conference.

A web conference service is an excellent tool for online entrepreneurs who provide coaching, consulting or counseling services. Even though clients are at a distance, they can receive personal one-on-one coaching, consultation, counseling or instruction in more of a face-to-face manner than what would be possible without a web conference service. Group coaching sessions can also be held via a web conference.

Another advantage of a web conference service is the ability for a company to hold operational meetings or training sessions with telecommuting staff. The telecommuter can easily become detached from a company because of the distance from the action, so to speak. By holding regular operational meetings via a web conference service, those that work within a business at a certain location can build relationships with staff members that are not regularly onsite. The off-site staff will benefit from the interaction as well as it will keep them up-to-date on company news, strategies, concerns, and so forth.

Because web conference service is a growing industry, there are many providers of such services that can be found on the internet. Each web conference service has its own unique offerings in regard to how the service is provided and what features are available. If you are interested in web conference service to breakdown the impersonal communication barriers in your business, it just makes since to evaluate and select a web conference service for your internet-based business.A web conference service is usually a hosted application. It enables online collaboration in a conference-like environment sometimes including video. A web conference service opens many communication options for internet businesses.

The very nature of the internet which breaks down geographical barriers and makes it possible for internet businesses to conduct business anywhere in the world has changed the face of sales, customer service, technical support and interpersonal communications. While the opportunities in e-business are grand, a company's ability to provide personalized service has been somewhat hindered. The impersonal nature of the internet has practically eliminated face-to-face interactions between businesses and their customers. A web conference service has the potential of changing that.

Using a web conference service can improve your sales process. When you have a sales proposal to make, a web conference service can put you virtually in front of your audience to make your presentation regardless of where the conference participants are located. In a web conference interaction is possible so you can answer questions, clarify your proposal, counter objections, negotiate if necessary and close the sale.

A web conference service can help you to provide more personalized customer service to your clients. While it may not be practical to use a web conference service for every customer service call, in cases where something needs to be discussed or explained, especially when more than two people are involved in the discussion, a web conference service with video capabilities enables interaction and removes the disadvantage of misunderstandings that can occur when it isn't possible to interpret one another's non-verbal language. So, a web conference service can also be a wonderful customer service tool.

One-on-one or group training can be effectively accomplished using a web conference service. If you are in a tech industry or another industry that requires customers to be trained once they purchase a product, a web conference service is very valuable. It can actually enable a company to provide training that they would otherwise be unable to provide because of geographic limitations and exorbitant costs that can be associated with traveling for the purpose of conducting training. With most web conference service files can also be shared between participants in the conference.

A web conference service is an excellent tool for online entrepreneurs who provide coaching, consulting or counseling services. Even though clients are at a distance, they can receive personal one-on-one coaching, consultation, counseling or instruction in more of a face-to-face manner than what would be possible without a web conference service. Group coaching sessions can also be held via a web conference.

Another advantage of a web conference service is the ability for a company to hold operational meetings or training sessions with telecommuting staff. The telecommuter can easily become detached from a company because of the distance from the action, so to speak. By holding regular operational meetings via a web conference service, those that work within a business at a certain location can build relationships with staff members that are not regularly onsite. The off-site staff will benefit from the interaction as well as it will keep them up-to-date on company news, strategies, concerns, and so forth.

Because web conference service is a growing industry, there are many providers of such services that can be found on the internet. Each web conference service has its own unique offerings in regard to how the service is provided and what features are available. If you are interested in web conference service to breakdown the impersonal communication barriers in your business, it just makes since to evaluate and select a web conference service for your internet-based business.A web conference service is usually a hosted application. It enables online collaboration in a conference-like environment sometimes including video. A web conference service opens many communication options for internet businesses.

The very nature of the internet which breaks down geographical barriers and makes it possible for internet businesses to conduct business anywhere in the world has changed the face of sales, customer service, technical support and interpersonal communications. While the opportunities in e-business are grand, a company's ability to provide personalized service has been somewhat hindered. The impersonal nature of the internet has practically eliminated face-to-face interactions between businesses and their customers. A web conference service has the potential of changing that.

Using a web conference service can improve your sales process. When you have a sales proposal to make, a web conference service can put you virtually in front of your audience to make your presentation regardless of where the conference participants are located. In a web conference interaction is possible so you can answer questions, clarify your proposal, counter objections, negotiate if necessary and close the sale.

A web conference service can help you to provide more personalized customer service to your clients. While it may not be practical to use a web conference service for every customer service call, in cases where something needs to be discussed or explained, especially when more than two people are involved in the discussion, a web conference service with video capabilities enables interaction and removes the disadvantage of misunderstandings that can occur when it isn't possible to interpret one another's non-verbal language. So, a web conference service can also be a wonderful customer service tool.

One-on-one or group training can be effectively accomplished using a web conference service. If you are in a tech industry or another industry that requires customers to be trained once they purchase a product, a web conference service is very valuable. It can actually enable a company to provide training that they would otherwise be unable to provide because of geographic limitations and exorbitant costs that can be associated with traveling for the purpose of conducting training. With most web conference service files can also be shared between participants in the conference.

A web conference service is an excellent tool for online entrepreneurs who provide coaching, consulting or counseling services. Even though clients are at a distance, they can receive personal one-on-one coaching, consultation, counseling or instruction in more of a face-to-face manner than what would be possible without a web conference service. Group coaching sessions can also be held via a web conference.

Another advantage of a web conference service is the ability for a company to hold operational meetings or training sessions with telecommuting staff. The telecommuter can easily become detached from a company because of the distance from the action, so to speak. By holding regular operational meetings via a web conference service, those that work within a business at a certain location can build relationships with staff members that are not regularly onsite. The off-site staff will benefit from the interaction as well as it will keep them up-to-date on company news, strategies, concerns, and so forth.

Because web conference service is a growing industry, there are many providers of such services that can be found on the internet. Each web conference service has its own unique offerings in regard to how the service is provided and what features are available. If you are interested in web conference service to breakdown the impersonal communication barriers in your business, it just makes since to evaluate and select a web conference service for your internet-based business.A web conference service is usually a hosted application. It enables online collaboration in a conference-like environment sometimes including video. A web conference service opens many communication options for internet businesses.

The very nature of the internet which breaks down geographical barriers and makes it possible for internet businesses to conduct business anywhere in the world has changed the face of sales, customer service, technical support and interpersonal communications. While the opportunities in e-business are grand, a company's ability to provide personalized service has been somewhat hindered. The impersonal nature of the internet has practically eliminated face-to-face interactions between businesses and their customers. A web conference service has the potential of changing that.

Using a web conference service can improve your sales process. When you have a sales proposal to make, a web conference service can put you virtually in front of your audience to make your presentation regardless of where the conference participants are located. In a web conference interaction is possible so you can answer questions, clarify your proposal, counter objections, negotiate if necessary and close the sale.

A web conference service can help you to provide more personalized customer service to your clients. While it may not be practical to use a web conference service for every customer service call, in cases where something needs to be discussed or explained, especially when more than two people are involved in the discussion, a web conference service with video capabilities enables interaction and removes the disadvantage of misunderstandings that can occur when it isn't possible to interpret one another's non-verbal language. So, a web conference service can also be a wonderful customer service tool.

One-on-one or group training can be effectively accomplished using a web conference service. If you are in a tech industry or another industry that requires customers to be trained once they purchase a product, a web conference service is very valuable. It can actually enable a company to provide training that they would otherwise be unable to provide because of geographic limitations and exorbitant costs that can be associated with traveling for the purpose of conducting training. With most web conference service files can also be shared between participants in the conference.

A web conference service is an excellent tool for online entrepreneurs who provide coaching, consulting or counseling services. Even though clients are at a distance, they can receive personal one-on-one coaching, consultation, counseling or instruction in more of a face-to-face manner than what would be possible without a web conference service. Group coaching sessions can also be held via a web conference.

Another advantage of a web conference service is the ability for a company to hold operational meetings or training sessions with telecommuting staff. The telecommuter can easily become detached from a company because of the distance from the action, so to speak. By holding regular operational meetings via a web conference service, those that work within a business at a certain location can build relationships with staff members that are not regularly onsite. The off-site staff will benefit from the interaction as well as it will keep them up-to-date on company news, strategies, concerns, and so forth.

Because web conference service is a growing industry, there are many providers of such services that can be found on the internet. Each web conference service has its own unique offerings in regard to how the service is provided and what features are available. If you are interested in web conference service to breakdown the impersonal communication barriers in your business, it just makes since to evaluate and select a web conference service for your internet-based business.A web conference service is usually a hosted application. It enables online collaboration in a conference-like environment sometimes including video. A web conference service opens many communication options for internet businesses.

The very nature of the internet which breaks down geographical barriers and makes it possible for internet businesses to conduct business anywhere in the world has changed the face of sales, customer service, technical support and interpersonal communications. While the opportunities in e-business are grand, a company's ability to provide personalized service has been somewhat hindered. The impersonal nature of the internet has practically eliminated face-to-face interactions between businesses and their customers. A web conference service has the potential of changing that.

Using a web conference service can improve your sales process. When you have a sales proposal to make, a web conference service can put you virtually in front of your audience to make your presentation regardless of where the conference participants are located. In a web conference interaction is possible so you can answer questions, clarify your proposal, counter objections, negotiate if necessary and close the sale.

A web conference service can help you to provide more personalized customer service to your clients. While it may not be practical to use a web conference service for every customer service call, in cases where something needs to be discussed or explained, especially when more than two people are involved in the discussion, a web conference service with video capabilities enables interaction and removes the disadvantage of misunderstandings that can occur when it isn't possible to interpret one another's non-verbal language. So, a web conference service can also be a wonderful customer service tool.

One-on-one or group training can be effectively accomplished using a web conference service. If you are in a tech industry or another industry that requires customers to be trained once they purchase a product, a web conference service is very valuable. It can actually enable a company to provide training that they would otherwise be unable to provide because of geographic limitations and exorbitant costs that can be associated with traveling for the purpose of conducting training. With most web conference service files can also be shared between participants in the conference.

A web conference service is an excellent tool for online entrepreneurs who provide coaching, consulting or counseling services. Even though clients are at a distance, they can receive personal one-on-one coaching, consultation, counseling or instruction in more of a face-to-face manner than what would be possible without a web conference service. Group coaching sessions can also be held via a web conference.

Another advantage of a web conference service is the ability for a company to hold operational meetings or training sessions with telecommuting staff. The telecommuter can easily become detached from a company because of the distance from the action, so to speak. By holding regular operational meetings via a web conference service, those that work within a business at a certain location can build relationships with staff members that are not regularly onsite. The off-site staff will benefit from the interaction as well as it will keep them up-to-date on company news, strategies, concerns, and so forth.

Because web conference service is a growing industry, there are many providers of such services that can be found on the internet. Each web conference service has its own unique offerings in regard to how the service is provided and what features are available. If you are interested in web conference service to breakdown the impersonal communication barriers in your business, it just makes since to evaluate and select a web conference service for your internet-based business.

Conference Call Etiquette

2008-01-30T00:07:00.001-08:00

One of the most powerful way to generate tons of leads for your business is by web or audio conference calls. Most savvy marketers are using this method of lead generation to bring in tons of attention to their product or services.

To get the maximum out of your listeners, there are some etiquette you must adhere to.

1. Moderators should be on time.

A moderator should arrive a few minutes early to greet each of the participants, and let them know when everyone is present and ready to start the call.

2. Always introduce yourself when speaking for the first time.

It is important to introduce yourself when first speaking as other participants may not recognize your voice.

3. Avoid putting your phone on HOLD.

Putting your local phone on hold could introduce music into the conference, so when considering the hold function please use #6 instead. Otherwise your hold music will play into the conference call, and make it impossible for the other participants to continue the meeting in your absence! (Remember to un-mute yourself when you come back.)

4. Create an agenda and keep to your schedule.

Remain consistent with the time line and agenda as prescribed in order to respect the time of the other participants.

5. Clearly state when calls end.

If participants linger after you have hung up on the call you will get billed! Ensuring that all participants understand when a call has ended will avoid any possible confusion so stay on the line and make sure everyone has left the call.

Conference Calling Goes Global

2008-01-30T00:06:00.000-08:00

Globalization has wrought many changes in our daily lives. It has changed our ways of living. It has allowed us to avail of products and services that might otherwise have been unavailable. It has opened our minds to what the rest of the world can offer. At the same time, it has also changed the way in which we do business. Gone are the days when file cabinets and piles of paper dominated our offices. These days, a single computer holds all the information we need. Any data that we may want to find will only be a few mouse clicks away.

In a way, that defines the need of business today. Convenience and speed have become necessities. Could that be a reason why many organizations are gradually choosing conference calls over the traditional business meetings? To begin with, business meetings usually do involve a degree of delay. Even if the meeting starts on time, some amount of time will inevitably be wasted in traveling to the conference. That time could have been utilized more productively. Moreover, a good deal of time goes into preparing the conference room, inviting and assisting the delegates, and generally making sure that the meeting goes off smoothly.

In addition to the waste of time, there are a number of costs associated with the traditional business meeting. Often enough, delegates have to be flown in from different places. This is more so these days, when the workforce is scattered across the world. Air fares and accommodation costs can put a major dent into the company's budget.

Thus, more and more business organizations are turning the conference call way to carry out important discussions. This is especially important when the matter to be discussed is one of crucial importance and which cannot wait till a regular meeting can be held. The "con call" as it is popularly referred to, provides a convenient and speedy way to carry out discussions on a given matter. Moreover, the organization concerned ends up paying only for the conference call service, thus saving on larger costs like travel and hotel bills.

Also, conference calls need not be limited to the domestic arena. International conference call services are easily available. Thus, one can simultaneously talk to someone from the same office building and someone who is in some far-off country. These days, we have access to a variety of conference call service providers. Their sheer numbers ensure that clients can avail of competitive rates.

Business Conference Calling Is Changing Business

2008-01-29T04:59:00.000-08:00

Business conference calling has become a very competitive business these days. You see the commercials on TV everyday with everyone jockeying for your business. This article will look at business conference calling to see what all the hype is about.

Communicate Any Where at Any Time

Business has changed radically over the past ten years or so. It used to be that you were only doing business with people you could afford to travel too and often that meant very big expense just to touch bases with a long distance call. However, all that has changed and now you can connect with people all over the world.

The Internet Has Change the Face of Communication

A few years ago the world changed with the berth of the internet. Now it is possible to send a message to someone in Tokyo, Australia or any where else in the world in a matter of minutes, and then get a response back from them just as quickly with email messages.

Business Conference Calling Is In Demand

Although email is a great communication tool it still is not as good as using your voice to communicate certain messages. Since we are able to expand our businesses all over the world it has become even more important to communicate with business conference calling.

Business conference calling services are getting very competitive for your business. You can find rates as low as 3.9 cents per minute, and you may also find better rates if you do high volume calls.

One way to save with business conference calling would be to use a fixed rate service. The rates will be cheaper in the long run, but only if you are making several calls per month.

It pays to chop around for the right business conference calling service for your needs. You will find that the rates are very competitive. Make sure that you are getting the services that you need, but do not fall for all the bells and whistles if they simply do not apply to your business communication needs.

How to Set Up a Conferencing Call

2008-01-29T04:58:00.000-08:00

Conference calling is changing the way business is getting done today. Business has always been accomplished through networking. Nothing can replace meeting face-to-face. Whether you are selling to a customer, providing service for client, forging agreements with a partner or training your employees, it's hard to beat the effectiveness of being able to see facial expressions, judge body language or provide product demonstrations. Unfortunately, the high cost and increasing security concerns of business travel in today's global marketplace is making meeting in person more difficult to accomplish.

Fortunately, technology is providing a solution. Conference calling services restore the personal touch of human contact without the need for physically changing your location. The audio conference call has been around for quite a while, but the capabilities, reliability and quality have taken a huge leap forward. Video conferencing has improved because new technology has eliminated the need for specialized equipment. Web conferencing utilizes the power of the Internet and provides a whole new range of capabilities.

There's no question that conference calling can improve your business relationships at a relatively low cost. But if you haven't tried conference calling yet, the whole idea may seem to complicated, difficult and maybe even a little scary. In reality, setting up a conference call has never been easier. New web-based conference calling services make setting up a conferencing call a simple, painless procedure.

One of the easiest ways to set up a conferencing call is to work with an online, reservation-less conference call provider. The first step is to visit their website and sign up for a new account. Setting up a new account can usually be accomplished in just a few minutes. You'll need to enter some basic information about yourself and your business, and you'll have provide and verify your e-mail address. You also need to set up a way to pay the bill for your conference calling services. The easiest way to handle billing is to provide credit card information. As long as you make sure you are dealing with a reputable company, there should be no worries about the security of your information.

Once your new account is set up and activated, you're ready to schedule your first conference call. Some conference calling services require reservations in advance. However, if you set up your account that an automatic, reservation-less company, then they will provide you with a telephone number for participants to call and a pass code that is exclusive to you.

The next step to set up your conference call is to invite the guests or participants that you want on the call. Contact everyone via email and provide the telephone number, the pass code and the time at which they should call.

At the appointed time, everyone will call in. The conference call doesn't actually start until you -- the host -- call in. Before you dial in, guests will be connected to the call, but will likely be listening to music until the call begins. In most cases, guests will not be able to talk to each other until you are connected to the call. This is primarily a security feature. Once you dial into the call, everyone will be connected and the call will begin. Guests who called in after this point will join the conference call in progress.

While the conference call is in progress, there may be a variety of services you can access as the host. By dialing certain combinations you can request operator assistance, take polls, change the call volume, stop and start recording, or even set up sub-conferences.

As the host, you have the power to end the conference call at any time. Once the conference call is complete, you can listen to the recording (if there was one). You may be able to download an immediate invoice for accounting purposes. Other options may be available as well depending on the conference call services you have chosen.

Conference calling truly allows the participants to be in two places at one time. Considering the speed at which today's business is conducted, this capability is sure to give your company an edge in the marketplace.

Toll Free Conference Calls

2008-01-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

Conference calls are a convenient method of communicating with a lot of people all at once. Technologies today allow many different types of conference calling.

For a small business, simple 3-way calling may suffice. This feature is available through your telephone company and whatever long-distance rates you have on the phone that originates the call will apply.

When several people located in many different places need to access conference calls, a conference call company can provide this service.

A basic conference call service offers audio conference calls (also called teleconferencing) over the telephone. Usually, you have the option of toll-free calls or flat-rate calls.

“Toll-free” is sort of a misnomer because “toll-free” does not mean it’s entirely a free call because the person or business that hires the conference call company pays for the service.

Toll-free conference calls are free for the participants. With toll-free packages, participants use a toll-free number to dial into the call via the conference call company.

The charges for the calls are usually by the minute for the length of the call. In many cases, the more minutes used, the less money per minute it costs. For instance, one package may offer 1,000 toll-free minutes for $70 or 7 cents a minute. If you go over 1,000 minutes, each additional minute would cost 7 cents. Another package may offer 10,000 minutes for $400 or 4 cents a minute and 4 cents for each minute over 10,000 minutes. You can see the cost goes down with the larger packages.

A flat-rate conference call package requires the participants to pay their own long-distance charges. They dial a regular phone number to access the call via the conference call company. The company who hires the conference call company also pays a flat fee to set up the service.

The conference call companies always offer features that augment their basic service. For example, you can have the conference call company record your conference calls and then provide a playback. The playbacks can even be on-demand so people can hear them at any time 24/7.

As you might imagine, conducting a live conference call with dozens of people on the line at once could get a bit out of hand with everyone talking at once and noise in the background as well. Technology comes to the rescue with mute buttons that allow the moderator and/or operator to control what is broadcast on the call.

The operators at the teleconferencing companies can assist you in many ways. In addition to connecting participants as they call in to access your conference, operators can even call participants and then connect them to your call. Operators can attend the entire conference call, providing opening announcements, introductions for host and speakers, moderating question and answer sessions and making closing comments at the end of the call.

Audio conference calls are not the only options available to you. Web conferencing is another type of conference call that utilizes access through participants’ computers. Participants are able to view PowerPoint and whiteboard presentations and to share documents. Communication among participants can be audio or via chat formats. Upgrades of web conferencing services include application and desktop sharing, remote control and video conferencing.

As you can see, there are many ways that businesses today can communicate effectively via conference calling. There are lots of conference-calling companies to choose from and the competition among them drives good bargains for business owners who will take the time to do a little research to find the best bargains

Retreat Conference Centers

2008-01-07T05:57:00.000-08:00

Retreat conferences are religious meetings held in peaceful places away from the daily distractions, where groups can meet, plan, pray, and enjoy peaceful, quiet natural surroundings. A lot of conference centers provide all facilities ideal for retreats and renewal, conference meetings, seminars and trainings, workshops and planning sessions. Conference centers used for retreat purposes are usually situated in calm localities under pleasant climatic conditions suitable for all participants and easily accessible also.

Most of the retreat based service agencies are aimed at providing services to enhance its mission of helping the provider and seeker of the religious retreat share their experience and enjoy to the fullest. These retreat conference centers usually have a directory of spiritual retreat houses or centers and conferences that could be used by large religious groups and churches. In addition to the conference center directory, the agencies provide a service to assist religious groups find religious retreat or conference facilities that meet their requirements.

The retreat conference centers are open to all religions and provide all facilities required by the group of people who conduct the retreat and participate. Retreat centers are available in different sizes to suit the type of retreat and the number of participants. Some retreat conference centers are large enough to accommodate many hundreds of people and they have more than a hundred rooms for comfortable stay. A directory of such conference centers is maintained and is providing services to assist religious groups in their search for meeting and retreat facilities.

Most of the centers include retreat and conference centers, hotels, camps and spiritual conference centers, universities and resorts. Irrespective of religions and spiritual groups, these retreat conference centers are a great place to meet and retreat. Conference centers can be reserved or booked online with the registrations forms that provide all necessary details pertaining to the facilities of the center. The retreat providers and participants enjoy the goodness of the place and have fulfilling retreat sessions

Conference replay - Brief Article

2007-04-24T22:42:00.000-07:00

If you didn't make it to Nashville, Tennessee, the new venue for the Black Enterprise/Bank of America Entrepreneurs Conference, you missed out on a great networking opportunity. But you can still benefit from the sessions. With more than 15 sessions featuring a lineup of small business experts and corporate executives, you, too, can be a part of the Conference action.

Our town hall meeting brought together a panel of high-profile entrepreneurs, politicians, and scholars to discuss the issue of business and race. They included: Robert L. Johnson, founder, chairman, and CEO of BET Holdings II Inc.; Clarence Avant, chairman of Interior Music/Avant Garde Music Publishing; Suzanne dePasse, CEO of dePasse Entertainment; Willie E. Gary, senior partner of Gary, Williams, Parenti, Finney, Lewis, McManus, Watson & Sperando; Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), and Earl G. Graves Sr., publisher and CEO of BLACK ENTERPRISE. Charles J. Ogletree Jr., a Jesse Climenko professor of law at Harvard Law School, was the moderator.
* "Profiting in the New Economy" featuring David Steward, chairman and CEO of World Wide Technology Inc. Steward, who was featured in the June 2001 issue of BE, has grown his technology company to an $800 million enterprise.

* "Employed by Design" is a session that explores opportunities in the fashion industry. Designers Dion Lattimore, owner of Dion Scott, and Maurice Malone, CEO of Maurice Malone Designs, provide insight on how to establish a clothing label. Both suggest that before jumping into the entrepreneurial pool, aspiring designers should get experience working for an established label.

* "Against All Odds" explores the determination and perseverance that leads to entrepreneurial success. This session features three successful entrepreneurs who tell how they overcame obstacles to share their secrets for achieving success. The three entrepreneurs are Effie Booker, CEO of Cabana Car Wash, and Albert and Odetta Murray, owners of the New Hillside Inn. All are featured in the BE book, Against All Odds: Ten Entrepreneurs Who Followed Their Hearts and Found Success by Wendy Harris (John Wiley & Sons Inc., $24.95) Harris served as moderator for the session.

ECI Conference Call Services Launches New Billing System; Comprehensive Conference Call Charge Detail Available Online

2007-04-24T22:41:00.000-07:00

WAYNE, N.J. -- ECI Conference Call Services, the largest privately-held, full-service audio and web conferencing provider, today announced the successful launch of its new billing system. The new system includes an industry leading bill format, plus customer tools that enable immediate access to key account information online, with downloadable detail and enhanced customer service and support.

"Prospective customers tell us that an important part of their decision in selecting a conferencing services provider is the ability of the conferencing company to generate user-friendly invoices with key billing detail," said Stephen J. Pook, ECI's Vice President of Sales. "These enhancements to our invoicing system position us to successfully address a key requirement of the conferencing buyer and continue to provide the best customer service in the industry."

ECI's new invoice features enhanced readability, improved product description legends and comprehensive call detail, providing customers with access to more information about their conferencing usage than ever before. Included in the new invoicing capabilities are a one-page summary of total account charges, credits and balance due, a payment summary that details credit card charges, and a conferencing summary section that provides information about specific calls at a glance. Expanded payment options, including credit card capabilities, provide additional flexibility for customers. An optional feature, available at no charge, is online traffic information about conference call usage, which includes originating numbers (ANI) for every caller that dialed into a reservationless call (where available), and extensive detail on each conference call, including related miscellaneous expenses (e.g., recordings, transcriptions, participation lists, etc.) Through a newly designed online user interface, customers are able to easily view their conferencing activity and export the data to a spreadsheet for more detailed analysis.

ECI Conferencing Services makes conference calling powerfully simple. ECI simplifies the meeting experience through its broad range of easy-to-use web and audio conferencing services and is redefining how businesses can improve communications, creativity and costs through the use of simple, leading-edge conferencing services.

InSight Health Services Holdings Corp. to Host Fiscal 2004 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results Conference Call

2007-04-24T22:38:00.000-07:00

LAKE FOREST, Calif. -- InSight Health Services Holdings Corp. ("InSight") today announced that management will host a conference call to discuss results for the fourth quarter and year ended June 30, 2004. InSight expects to file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday, Sept. 24, 2004. The call is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004, at 8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

Michael N. Cannizzaro, president and chief executive officer, and Brian G. Drazba, chief financial officer, will host the conference call.

To participate by telephone, please dial 1-800-218-0204 ten minutes prior to the scheduled call.

To listen to a live or archived webcast of the call, visit go to the bottom of the home page and click on financial information to access a link to the call. Refer to conference ID# 24761. The archived webcast of the call will be available for 90 days beginning

InSight, with headquarters in Lake Forest, provides diagnostic imaging and information, treatment and related management services. It serves managed care entities, hospitals and other contractual customers in 37 states, including the following targeted regional markets: California, Arizona, New England, the Carolinas

InSight Health Services Holdings Corp. to Host Fiscal 2004 Fourth Quarter and Year End Results Conference Call

2007-04-13T04:28:00.000-07:00

Michael N. Cannizzaro, president and chief executive officer, and Brian G. Drazba, chief financial officer, will host the conference call.

To participate by telephone, please dial 1-800-218-0204 ten minutes prior to the scheduled call.

To listen to a live or archived webcast of the call, visit www.insighthealth.com, go to the bottom of the home page and click on financial information to access a link to the call. Refer to conference ID# 24761. The archived webcast of the call will be available for 90 days beginning on Sept. 28, 2004.

, with headquarters in Lake Forest, provides diagnostic imaging and information, treatment and related management services. It serves managed care entities, hospitals and other contractual customers in 37 states, including the following targeted regional markets: California, Arizona, New England, the Carolinas, Florida and the Mid-Atlantic states. For more information

W-H Energy Services Announces Conference Call

2007-04-13T04:26:00.000-07:00

HOUSTON -- W-H Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE:WHQ) has scheduled the date of its release of third quarter results to occur prior to the open of the market on October 28, 2004. The earnings release will be followed by a conference call at 11:00 a.m. central time and is open to the public. The conference call will include a discussion of the third quarter 2004 results as well as expectations for the fourth quarter of 2004. A brief question and answer session will follow.

To participate by telephone, call 877-502-9276 ten to fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled starting time. Participants should inform the operator that they are calling for the W-H Energy conference call hosted by Ken White, CEO of W-H Energy. For international calls, call 913-981-5591. A rebroadcast of the call will be available through November 28, by dialing 800-528-0581 pass code 1058.

In addition, the Company's third quarter conference call will be available on a listen only basis over the internet as provided by CCBN at www.whes.com. The entire teleconference call will be broadcast live, and a replay will be available on the W-H Energy Services web site for 30 days following the event.
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W-H Energy is a diversified oilfield service company that provides products and services used primarily for the drilling, completion and production of oil and natural gas wells. The Company has onshore operations in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East and offshore operations in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Suez, the Mediterranean Sea and off the coast of Brazil.

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical are "forward-looking" statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to, among other things, the current and expected future prices of crude oil and natural gas, the level of exploration, development and production activity of, and the corresponding capital spending by, our customers, the development and implementation of new technologies and weather conditions in offshore markets. These risks are more fully described in W-H Energy Services, Inc.'s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligation to update the statements in this press release.

MILCOM 2006 Conference

2007-04-04T02:45:00.000-07:00

Thank you Dave [Major General (ret) Bryan] for the warm introduction ... It is delightful to be with you all today. I congratulate the organizers--you have done a marvelous job all these years. Congratulations to all of you on the Silver Anniversary of this event!

At the very beginning--I do want to recognize a few people, from the senior leadership of the Department of Defense--especially John Grimes, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration. A few days ago, I went to a special event at the Army Navy Club. He was given an award by the Russian Technical Expert Delegation--did I get that right, John?--who came from the Kremlin and the Ministry of Defense. They gave him a medal for a lifetime of dedication to US/Russian communications--the hotline we've had all these years. They gave him paintings, plaques, accolades, and even a sword, and John--you richly deserved all of it! Thank you for the great job you do for the Department of Defense and the Nation.

Also, Lt. Gen. Charlie Croom is here today. He heads up the Defense Information Systems Agency, and he, too, is providing important leadership. Also, LTG Steve Boutelle, the G6 and Chief Information Officer of the Army is here. Thank you for everything you do, wearing the uniform of our Nation--thank you for what you do.

Now this is an organization that I can personally relate to. It's been a fascinating 45 years since I graduated with a BSEE in 1961. My career has literally encompassed the entire micro-electronics generation. In my senior year of college, the university offered, for the very first time, a transistor course. Literally, a transistor. This was about a decade after the first practical, point-contact transistors were built at Bell labs. Even though I'm pretty old, it's still an extraordinarily short period of time for all the micro-electronic changes that have happened since then--especially in area of net-centric design.

I'm not a designer any longer but I still have a keen interest in net-centricity--since it's the backbone of everything we do in the Department. On behalf of all Service members who wear the uniform of this Nation and put their lives on the line every day, I do thank you all for your leadership and innovation, and what you do every day to provide capabilities to the warfighter, at a time when our Nation faces multiple threats.

In these early days of the 21st century, America and our friends and allies face a much, much broader array of challenges and greater uncertainty than ever before.

Now, for the Department of Defense, the top priority is the war on terror. Terrorists are determined to destroy our very way of life--and of all who love freedom and liberty.

This is an adversary that cannot challenge us with conventional methods, so he makes full use of asymmetrical and irregular approaches. Terrorists hide themselves among civilian populations, they target civilians directly, they target the economic infrastructure that supports developed civilizations, and they disdain and despise the international laws of war.

And terrorists are technologically very savvy--they adapt to new conditions extraordinarily quickly. Though they aim to undo centuries' worth of progress, they are not at all reluctant to take full advantage of that progress. They use the latest technological innovations to communicate, recruit, and transfer money. They keep websites, and they update them in real time, to share their lessons learned.

The very technologies that you develop and the technologies that make globalization possible are used by terrorists throughout the world against freedom-loving nations. In fact, they have it much easier, since late-comers can take a short-cut. To use cutting edge technology, it's no longer necessary to study for years and complete a Ph.D.--nowadays you can now just download almost any technology from the Internet.

Globalization is creating vast new opportunities for economic growth, and it's extending the marketplace of ideas. But at the same time, all of those opportunities and ideas are equally available to our adversaries. The challenges of rapid technological change, and the ways that change might be abused, face all of us--the United States, and all of our friends and allies around the world. This is the fundamental technical and operational challenge of our time.

International terrorism is absolutely ruthless, and no one--no nation--is immune. As the President said a few weeks ago, this is a struggle "that will set the course for this new century, and determine the destiny of millions around the world." This is the fundamental strategic challenge of our time.

Magellan Health Services Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2004 Earnings Release Date and Conference Call

2007-04-04T02:44:00.000-07:00

FARMINGTON, Conn. -- Magellan Health Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGLN) today announced that the Company will release fourth quarter and fiscal year 2004 earnings results on Thursday, March 3, 2005.

The fourth quarter and fiscal year 2004 earnings announcement will be issued at approximately 6:30 a.m.

A conference call will be held to discuss the earnings at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, March 3. To participate in the call, interested parties should call 1-888-390-4698 and reference the passcode 2004 Earnings and conference leader Steve Shulman approximately 15 minutes before the start of the call.

A taped replay of the conference call will be available from approximately 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday March 3, until 12:00 midnight on Thursday, March 10. The call-in numbers for the replay are 1-866-395-4276 and 1-203-369-0484 (from outside the U.S.).

Those who plan to listen to the call and/or Webcast are encouraged to read Magellan's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2004, including the discussion of risks set forth in the section entitled 'Cautionary Statements.' In addition, listeners are encouraged to read all other 2003 and 2004 reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2004, to learn about Magellan's historical operational and financial results.

Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. Announces 2004 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Earnings Conference Call - Friday, March 25, 2005

2007-04-04T02:40:00.000-07:00

IRVINE, Calif. -- Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:CPSS) today announced that it will release its fourth quarter and full-year 2004 results after the market closes today March 24, 2005. Management will then host a conference call Friday, March 25, 2005, at 1:30 p.m. EST. to discuss the results.

Dial-in number for the call is 973-409-9261.

A replay of the call will be available until March 31, 2005, by calling 877-519-4471 or 973-341-3080 for international participants, with pin number 5859610.

This call is being webcast by Thomson/CCBN and can be accessed at the CPS Web site at

The webcast is also being distributed through the Thomson StreetEvents Network to both institutional and individual investors. Individual investors can listen to the call at Thomson/CCBN's individual investor portal, powered by StreetEvents. Institutional investors can access the call via Thomson's password-protected event management site, StreetEvent Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. is a consumer finance company that specializes in purchasing, selling and servicing retail automobile dealers located throughout the United States. The Company is currently active in 38 states. Through its purchases of contracts, the Company provides indirect financing to car dealer customers with limited credit histories, low incomes or past credit problems, who generally would not be expected to qualify for financing provided by banks or by automobile manufacturers' captive finance companies.

W-H Energy Services Announces Conference Call

2007-03-24T02:11:00.001-07:00

HOUSTON -- W-H Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE:WHQ) has scheduled the date of its release of first quarter results to occur prior to the market open on Thursday, April 27, 2006. The earnings release will be followed by a conference call at 11:00 a.m. central time and is open to the public. The conference call will include a discussion of first quarter results as well as expectations for the second quarter of 2006. A brief question and answer session will follow.

To participate by telephone, attendees should call 866-200-5830 within North America or 732-694-1588 outside of North America approximately 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. When prompted, attendees should then enter the code 555315# to be placed into the conference. A rebroadcast of the call will be available for 30 days following the event by dialing 866-206-0173 within North America or 732-694-1571 outside of North America. When prompted, attendees should then enter the code 171558# to access the archived conference.

In addition, the Company's first quarter conference call will be available on a listen only basis over the internet at www.whes.com. The entire teleconference call will be broadcast live, and a replay will be available on the W-H Energy Services web site for 30 days following the event.W-H Energy is a diversified oilfield service company that provides products and services used primarily for the drilling, completion and production of oil and natural gas wells. The Company has operations in the North America and select areas internationally

Trico Marine Services, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2006 Earnings Release Date and Conference Call Information

2007-03-24T02:10:00.000-07:00

Trico Marine Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRMA) (the "Company" or "Trico") today announced plans to report earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2006, on Wednesday, May 3, 2006. The Company will conduct a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EDT on Thursday, May 4, 2006, to discuss the results with analysts, investors and other interested parties. Individuals who wish to participate in the conference call should dial (800) 811-8845, access code 3479042, in the United States or (913) 981-4905, access code 3479042, from outside the country.

Trico provides a broad range of marine support services to the oil and gas industry, primarily in the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, West Africa and Latin America. The services provided by the Company's diversified fleet of vessels include the marine transportation of drilling materials, supplies and crews, and support for the construction, installation, maintenance and removal of offshore facilities.

Certain statements in this press release that are not historical fact may be "forward-looking statements." Actual events may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. There are a number of important factors involving risks and uncertainties beyond the control of the Company that could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. A description of risks and uncertainties attendant to Trico Marine Services, Inc. and its industry and other factors, which could affect the Company's results of operations or financial condition, are included in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Trico undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this report.

Emergency Medical Services to Host Conference Call to Discuss Results for the First Quarter Ending March 31, 2006

2007-03-24T02:09:00.000-07:00

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. -- Emergency Medical Services Corporation (NYSE:EMS) today announced that it will provide an audio webcast of its conference call to discuss results for its first quarter ending March 31, 2006, on Tuesday, May 9, 2006. The Company's results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2006, will be released before the opening of the market on Tuesday, May 9, 2006.

The live broadcast of Emergency Medical Services' conference call will begin at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on May 9, 2006. A 30-day on-line replay will be available approximately an hour following the conclusion of the live broadcast.

Under the recognized brands of EmCare and American Medical Response (AMR), Emergency Medical Services Corporation, headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado, is a leading provider of emergency medical services in the United States, serving more than nine million patients each year. EmCare provides outsourced emergency department staffing and management services to more than 335 hospitals nationwide. American Medical Response is America's leading provider of ambulance services

politically charged and highly polarized, as evidenced at Railway Age's 2005 Passenger Trains on Freight Railroads conference

2007-03-24T02:08:00.000-07:00

If a strong rallying cry to the industry for a thoughtful, well-informed discussion on the future of Amtrak and intercity passenger rail in general is needed now, here it is:

"Beware of people who are advocating radical proposals for restructuring Amtrak, especially when there is no proposal for additional capital funding. Organizations like Amtrak can be restructured until the cows come home, but without a defined policy mission and the capital funding to get there, there will never be real Amtrak 'reform.' When we have a U.S. DOT Secretary going around the country spouting totally false information as the basis for such radical Amtrak restructuring, don't we, collectively as the railroad industry, have an obligation to speak up and speak together? If we do not speak the truth to Congress, the media, and the American people, who will?"--Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Managing Director Gene Skoropowski, upon acceptance of Railway Age's 2005 W. Graham Claytor Jr. Award for Distinguished Service to Passenger Transportation.

More than a few sparks flew at our 12th annual Passenger Trains on Freight Railroads Conference when the subject of Amtrak came up, in particular during a panel chaired by Foley and Lardner's Don Itzkoff. On that panel sat U.S. DOT Acting Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Tyler D. Duvall, who echoed the Bush Administration's call for dismantling Amtrak. "The structure is flawed," he said. "We need the advantages of competitive procurement. We'll never see cool new services in rural America under the present model."

Duvall's comment about "competitive procurement" did not sit well with the freight railroaders in attendance. Norfolk Southern Director-Corporate Affairs Bill Schafer asked Duvall whether the DOT plan involved extending to non-Amtrak entities Amtrak's statutory right of access. "We are subsidizing Amtrak, but we understand why," he said. "We made a deal 35 years ago, and we're sticking to it because of the benefits we got from that deal."

"Duvall's answer to Schafer's question--essentially, 'yes'--was not reassuring," says National Association of Railroad Passengers Executive Director Ross Capon, who was on Itzkof's panel. Duvall also referred to "growing federal subsidies," to which Capon responded: "[Amtrak President and CEO] David Gunn has stabilized Amtrak's operating budget. The growth in Amtrak's total funding request is in the very capital grants that the Administration claims to support."

Skoropowski asked: "Was anyone in the room consulted about the Administration's plan?" No one raised a hand.

Said one observer: "The DOT has a diesel-powered plan on a lighter-fluid budget." Said another: "Whenever you see a plan for dramatic change to be accomplished in one year instead of six or seven, and with no real funding, you know they're not serious about wanting to improve things."

"There is a strong future for railroads, passenger and freight, but unified freight and passenger support for important policy, legislative, and funding issues is key to gaining adequate levels of resources, especially for the railroad capital investments that are essential for survival," Skoropowski emphasized in his award acceptance remarks. "There will always be some differences between the freight and passenger railroads, just as there are between highway and transit advocates, but we could learn at lot from them about building an alliance. We can be far more productive on all of these fronts when we are working together, rather than when we are working against each other."

As for the U.S. DOT, Gene Skoropowski has this message: "You have the potential to be an advocate for this industry, both freight and passenger. You have a potential 'cheering section' out there, ready to work for meaningful policies and funding programs that will grow the railroad industry. Stop the divisive--and in some cases, untruthful--rhetoric trying to achieve a theoretical political ideology. Talk to those of us in the industry who spend every day in the operational trenches. We can provide you with guidance and a dose of reality. Stop listening to the career policy wonks and disaffected, disgruntled quasi-rail advocates who have never actually run a railroad or a business in their lives. Listen to us, and work with us, to develop a program that will grow the railroad business in a way that is beneficial and profitable for the freight railroads and our economy, while strengthening intercity passenger rail as a real public service."

AMN Healthcare Services to Host Second Quarter 2006 Earnings Conference Call on Tuesday, August 8, 2006

2007-03-24T02:07:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO -- AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. (NYSE:AHS), the largest healthcare staffing company in the United States, will host its quarterly conference call to discuss second quarter results on Tuesday, August 8, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The company expects to issue an earnings news release on Monday, August 7, 2006, after the market closes.

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc. is the largest temporary healthcare staffing company in the United States. As the leading nationwide provider of travel nurse staffing services and a leading provider of locum tenens (temporary physician staffing) and physician permanent placement services, the company recruits physicians, nurses and allied healthcare professionals nationally and internationally and places them on variable lengths of assignments and in permanent positions at acute-care hospitals, physician practice groups and other healthcare facilities throughout the United States.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company has tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "expects," "plans," "intends" and similar expressions. Similarly, statements herein that describe the company's business strategy, outlook, objectives, plans, intentions or goals are also forward-looking statements. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this report are set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and its Registration Statement on Form S-3. These statements reflect the company's current beliefs and are based upon information currently available to it. Be advised that developments subsequent to this report are likely to cause these statements to become outdated with the passage of time.

Connex International Delivers Conference Call Users Express Check-In With Premium Services

2007-03-24T02:04:00.000-07:00

Connex International, Inc., a full-service conferencing company that provides a wide spectrum of audio and Web-based conferencing tools and services, today announced its new Express Premium Event service. Express Premium Event is ideal for customers who wish to obtain detailed information about call participants, but prefer to expedite the call check in process by securing this information in advance of the conference event.

Express Premium Event provides passcode entry into a conference while maintaining all the benefits of a premium service call, including music on hold, polling and Q&A, recording services, transcription and replay services. Clients receive a comprehensive participant list for the audio conference, including on and off times. A differentiator for Connex's Express Premium Event service is that for calls for which there is a replay, Connex sends a post-conference e-mail to all event registrants with access information to the replay. At the end of the replay period, Connex will provide a participant list with information on all participants who have dialed into the replay.

"Knowing who is attending an event in advance of a call and gathering that data quickly and effectively for marketing, sales or follow up purposes gives a company a definite competitive advantage," said Gary Elf, Director of Products & Services at Connex International. "In creating Express Premium Event, our goal was to combine all the benefits of Connex's high-touch event solutions with an expedited check in. This gives our clients the ability to capture information in advance of the call and understand their conference audience better than ever before as well as increasing participation for these important conferences."

Pricing and Availability

The Express Premium Event service is available immediately by calling Connex at 800-793-6404. The Express Premium Event service is also priced lower than a traditional premium event call since it eliminates the need for manual operator-assistance at the start of the call to gather registration information.

About Connex International

Connex International is a full-service conferencing company that provides business professionals with a wide spectrum of audio and Web-based conferencing tools and services. Since its founding in 1981, Connex has satisfied thousands of customers through millions of conferences and enabled organizations to "get more done." Connex offers the industry's highest touch customer service and flexible options to ensure a reliable and outstanding conferencing experience --

Magellan Health Services Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2006 Earnings Release Date and Conference Call

2007-03-08T04:51:00.000-08:00

AVON, Conn. -- Magellan Health Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:MGLN) today announced that it will release fourth quarter 2006 earnings results and fiscal year 2006 earnings results on Wednesday, February 28, 2007. Management will discuss the Company's financial results as well as its business strategy and outlook in a conference call to be held the same day at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time.

The press release detailing the Company's fourth quarter and fiscal year 2006 earnings will be issued at approximately 6:30 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, February 28, and will be immediately available on the investor relations page at www.MagellanHealth.com.

To participate in the conference call, interested parties should call 1-888-390-4698 and reference the passcode Fourth Quarter Earnings and conference leader Steve Shulman approximately 15 minutes before the start of the call. Those who plan to access the Webcast are encouraged to read Magellan's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 8, 2006, and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2006, for material information regarding Magellan's operational and financial results, including the section entitled "Risk Factors." In addition, listeners are encouraged to read all other 2005 and 2006 reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for material information regarding Magellan's operational and financial results.

Trico Marine Services, Inc. Announces 2006 Fourth Quarter and Year End Earnings Release Date and Conference Call Information

2007-03-08T04:50:00.000-08:00

Trico Marine Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRMA) (the "Company" or "Trico") today announced plans to report earnings for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2006, on Wednesday, February 28, 2007. The Company will conduct a conference call at 8:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, March 1, 2007, to discuss the results with analysts, investors and other interested parties. Individuals who wish to participate in the conference call should dial (800) 289-0572, access code 4235510, in the United States or (913) 981-5543, access code 4235510, from outside the country.
A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until March 15, 2007, starting approximately 1 hour after the completion of the call, and can be accessed by dialing (719) 457-0820, access code 4235510 (international calls should use (888) 203-1112, access code 4235510).

About Trico

Trico provides a broad range of marine support services to the oil and gas industry, primarily in the North Sea, Gulf of Mexico, West Africa, Mexico, Southeast Asia (through its partnership) and, to a lesser extent, Brazil. The services provided by the Company's diversified fleet of vessels include the transportation of drilling materials, supplies and crews to drilling rigs and other offshore facilities; towing drilling rigs and equipment from one location to another; and support for the construction, installation, repair and maintenance of offshore facilities. Trico has its principal office in Houston, Texas
Certain statements in this press release that are not historical fact may be "forward-looking statements." Actual events may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. There are a number of important factors involving risks and uncertainties beyond the control of the Company that could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. A description of risks and uncertainties attendant to Trico Marine Services, Inc. and its industry and other factors, which could affect the Company's results of operations or financial condition, are included in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Trico undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this report.

NACDS Pharmacy Conference sounds call to action

2007-03-08T04:48:00.000-08:00

Blending high-profile speeches with detailed educational sessions and trade-booth deal making, more than 2,600 chain pharmacy executives, buyers, pharmaceutical vendors, technology experts, educators and guests tackled the changing role of the pharmacist over a five-day gathering in San Diego in late August and early September.

Chain pharmacy's best and brightest concluded the 2004 National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy & Technology Conference Sept. 1 with a renewed call to action as the industry grapples with Medicare reform, drug importation and other challenges.

Conference chairman Ralph Petri, NACDS chairman Mary Sammons, NACDS president and chief executive officer Craig Fuller and other leaders issued that call. We live in a country that did not recognize pharmacists as health care providers until very recently," said Petri, executive vice president of pharmacy and logistics for Kerr Drug. "If we are to succeed, we, as a profession, must do things differently."

Both Petri and Sammons laid a challenge before the industry's top pharmacists: Lead retail pharmacy beyond its perilous dependence on dwindling prescription profits, and create a new practice model that, in Sammons' words, will allow pharmacists "to live up to the full potential of their profession."

Much of the focus was on the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 and its provisions beginning in 2006 for extending pharmacy benefits to seniors. The pharmacy profession's ongoing efforts to shape that legislation--and to cope with the interim Medicare drug discount card program that was launched in June--was the subject of several conference seminars and a lot of speech making.

"The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 gave us a path ... for how we were going to go about providing prescription medication coverage for the uninsured Medicare population," Fuller noted in a general address to conference goers. "It wasn't a perfect solution, to be sure. It was a solution, however, in a debate that recognized some of the most important elements of creating that healthier future for retail pharmacy. It was a debate that said patients should have a choice as to whether they fill these prescriptions at their community pharmacy or though the mail of through some combination of both.

"It said you can't I pose more risk on community pharmacy," Fuller added. "And in that debate, we created ... a greater understanding among policy-makers at the federal level and at the state level for just how important community pharmacy is in the overall delivery of health care."

With a packed agenda of educations sessions and panel discussions, the conference also threw a spotlight on such red-hot issues as drug importation, electronic prescribing, patient safety, medication therapy management and biotechnology. The event also included an update on the prescription drug market by Doug Long, vice president of industry relations for IMS Health.

Another highlight: a live video address by Mark McClellan, administrator Of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, on the important role Pharmacists will play in Medicare drug benefits.

Cheap conference calls - Flat rate conference call services and more

2007-03-07T01:54:00.000-08:00

Cheap conference calls – as the first term suggests – is the relatively cheaper version of conference call services. For all those who want to perform an audio or web conference at a short notice, and that within a limited budget, this is the right choice. It does the balancing act between reliable service and cost per minute. In the following paragraphs, we’ll see the advantages and pricing of flat rate conference call services, discounted conference calling rates, and how the company manages to offer such a concession in a realistic domain.

The biggest advantage with cheap conference calls is that the clients do not have to make advanced reservations. Instead, he/she can avail the service by calling a toll-free number and other participants can join the conversation using a secret entry code, which the organizer of the conference provides to the participants. Further, in order to make use of discounted conference calling rates, one need not have to own any costly infrastructure. But one can manage the entire session with a normal telephone with conference features, whatever is the strength of the conference. Then there is added advantage if the customer buys bulk minutes; the service provider charges only lesser cents per minute if the customer buys more minutes.

Flat rate conference calls, on the other hand, charges a flat rate per month irrespective of the number of minutes of used. Such a scheme is suitable for those customers who consistently spend over $155 (say) a month on conference calls. The more calls they make, more they save.

You may wonder how the vendors are able to offer conference facilities at such cheaper rates. But the thing is that not all vendors are offering such services. Only those who have their own conference call bridges and phone infrastructure provides discounted conference calling rates and flat rate conference calls, and they could manage it as they do not have to pay for any over head, which is generally charged over the customer bill by most non-discount players.

Cheap conference calls are comparatively cheaper. But it is advisable to check the exact rates and conditions with the service provider before start availing the facility. The rates may vary from one vendor to another.

Bishops call for expansion of abortion exemptions - Nation - United States Catholic Conference of Bishops - Brief Article

2007-03-05T22:40:00.002-08:00

The nation's Catholic bishops have asked Congress to expand an exemption for health care workers who object to abortion to include hospitals and health care plans.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops criticized a nationwide "coordinated effort" to make Catholic hospitals provide abortion services even though the church views abortion as a grave sin.

"No one who provides health care should be forced to participate in abortion," said Cathy Cleaver, director of planning and information for the bishops' pro-life office.

Rep. Michael Bilirakis, R-Fla., has introduced the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, which would expand the current exemption for doctors in the Public Health Service Act to include "other health professionals, a hospital, a provider-sponsored organization, a health maintenance organization, a health insurance plan, and any other kind of health care facility, organization or plan."

Current federal law protects "health care entities" that refuse to provide abortion services, but the bishops said that has been interpreted to cover only individual doctors.

What's the best way to celebrate the king holiday? King family and leaders call for a day of service - honoring the work of Martin Luther King Jr - Br

2007-03-05T22:40:00.001-08:00

The hard work and dedication of politicians, civil rights leaders, grassroots activists and others created the first Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday on January 20, 1986. It was the first holiday recognizing a Black man and King was only the third person, along with Christopher Columbus and George Washington, to hold the distinction of a national holiday in his honor. In the beginning, Dr. King's widow, Coretta Scott King, and her family envisioned the holiday as a national day of unity and a time when people could study and discuss the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Over the 16 years the holiday has been recognized on the third Monday in January, Coretta King and the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change have refined the focus to include community service as a priority on Martin Luther King Day. The date of the 2002 holiday is January 21.

"We have called for people to remember to celebrate, and most importantly, to act," Coretta King says. "We like to say we celebrate the birthday and not memorialize it, as we do in April. Now we should ask people to really commemorate his life with some form of service and to give back to the community."

This is designed to convey the message and spirit of Dr. King far beyond April 4, 1968, when he was gunned down while assisting sanitation workers in Memphis, Tenn. "Martin Luther King gave his life loving and serving others, and we think it's a very appropriate way to celebrate the day," Coretta King says. "People can come together in a spirit of cooperation, love and humanitarian service to help somebody else."

Coretta King's renewed emphasis on service for the holiday carries the flame that buoyed the Civil Rights Movement led by King in the 1950s and 1960s. One volunteer of that era, Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., answered the call of service as a college student. He joined the Freedom Riders, a group of mixed-race activists who tested new segregation laws at bus terminals in the South. Lewis was severely beaten by mobs for his actions as a Freedom Rider and as a participant in the Selma demonstration that started the Selma-to-Montgomery March. Yet he continued to serve in the movement through sit-ins and other demonstrations.

"The best way to celebrate the King [holiday] is with a day of service," says Lewis, who is the author of the best-selling book, Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement. "Go out and do something to uplift someone in need. It can be working at a community center, doing something for the elderly, helping children, cleaning up a park or a neighborhood. That's what Dr. King was all about--service."

Lewis added: "We need to get more and more of our young people--all young people, Black, White, Hispanic Asian-American or Native American--to look at Dr. King as more than a leader and orator, but as someone who got out and did good. They can also be workers for good."

Community service promotes goodwill along with peace, another major tenet of Dr. King's message, says Martin Luther King III, son of Dr. King and head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. "A great tribute would be for us to have a day where there's no violence," King says.

His mother stressed the central importance of nonviolence.

"People need to realize that Martin Luther King embraced the philosophy of nonviolence," Coretta King says. "He lived it not only as a way of life, but also as a way of resolving problems and conflicts. Ultimately, any problems we face can be solved if we use the message that he left us. He left us a blueprint in his writings. If we could study Martin and use his words and philosophy more wisely, it could carry us a long way into the 21st century in terms of bringing about peace, justice, equality and prosperity."

In some modern circles, Dr. King's philosophy of nonviolence falls on deaf ears, Congressman Lewis says. "Some people think it is old hat or a bygone philosophy. He believed in it. He believed in love, in action, and we don't teach people to love each other. Dr. King said hate is too heavy a burden to bear. Whether it is the highest level of government, academic communities, business, media, sports or whatever, we need to get this message of love over. We need to respect human dignity and worth."

Celebrate the Call' conference examines role of lay ministry

2007-03-05T22:39:00.000-08:00

We continue to live our way into the answers to the questions we have about our ministry," she said, noting that difficulties and confusion are not "an excuse to distance ourselves from the questions."

Kuzmochka, who is co-ordinator of Adult Faith Development and Leadership Formation for the Ottawa Archdiocese, told the audience of about 250 people about her first experience working as an assistant chaplain to a priest-chaplain on a university campus.

"The great obstacle was the priest didn't want to work with a woman," she said, despite her having the full support of the diocesan bishop. "The priest believed he should be on a pedestal," she said, recalling the relationship as troubled and turbulent.

"I realize as I look back that I moved naturally into a leadership position. I am joined by so many women and some men who are breaking new ground in parish pastoral leadership," she said.

Kuzmochka advocated a collaborative relationship among lay and ordained ministers rather than a hierarchical one, and said forgiveness was fundamental. She also said that many of the breakthroughs in lay ministry have happened as a result of priest shortages, instead of through the new life Vatican II breathed into the church.

"Lay ministry has its own identity and needs to be developed in its own right," she said.

Kuzmochka also pointed out that honouring Vatican II is not possible from a position of polarity.

"I worry about the polarization we always seem to see," she said. "Do you think we can learn to disagree without turning on each other?"

She also said that professional lay ministries must be careful "not to create new hierarchies. Parishes are not clubs and the baptized are not volunteers in them," she said.

Bishop Martin Veillette of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, in his keynote address, told the audience about the Quebec experience of lay ministry, and pointed out that as a pastor in 1974-80, he was "one of the first priests to call upon a lay woman."

He asked a woman who was barely 20 to accept a position as a pastoral worker in a primary school.

"It was the beginning of a wonderful adventure for her," said Veillette, who is President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishop's (CCCB) Commission for Social Communications French Sector. Veillette noted that 1975 was the tenth anniversary of the end of Vatican II and in those ten years the most visible change came in the liturgy.

"Not everything was renovated and not everything happened easily," he said, but noted that it became possible to "dare to make changes" and to "risk doing things never done before."

Those ten years also encompassed the Quiet Revolution.

"From a social perspective, not only the church was undergoing change, the entire society was in an upheaval," he said, describing those years as a "time of trial" and a "dark period," where the church was seriously challenged. Many once-committed priests and nuns left.

"It was very difficult for us to go through that time," he said. "We had to open the door to the arrival of the laity taking on tasks that had been done by priests and vicars and religious," he said. "In our baptism we are invited to take our responsibility," he said, and while the diminishing number of priests led to an increase in lay ministers, "we had been called by the Council to do this."

Since those years, the Church has been seeking to set a foundation for this new phenomenon of lay ministry.

"Co-responsibility became a focal point," he said.

Veillette said that lay ministries developed from service-to-leadership positions with remuneration to major responsibilities as permanent staff.

The third Celebrate the Call Conference also featured a panel with Winnipeg Archbishop James Weisgerber, who is co-treasurer of the CCCB; Jocelyne Hudon, pastoral agent in Chicoutimi, Que.; Blake Sittler, parish life director and ministry developer in Saskatoon, Sask.; and St. Jean Goulet, Congregation of the Holy Cross.

The Conference was jointly sponsored by the Centre for Ministry Formation at St. Paul University and the Celebrate the Call Project.

Conference Call Services

2007-01-09T22:34:00.000-08:00

Businesses today are growing at an exponential rate, and business operations have become global. There is a pressing need for you to stay in constant touch at all times. Conference calling is one such revolution in the communications industry. Through conferencing, participants can share live, two-way exchange of information. Conference calling services connects people without investing in expensive equipment.

There are essentially two types of conference calling services available: reservationless service and operator-assisted service. Reservationless service is idyllic for your everyday business needs. It provides conferencing 24-7 without making a reservation or depending upon the operator. It’s a toll-free, pay-per-use conferencing service. It’s easy and quick; just give the invitees the date, time, toll-free call-in number and entry codes. Many pre-selected services offered by the conference call company are used by an operator-assisted conference call. Operator-assisted conferencing can come in handy when your company needs extra help to manage large or important conference calls. It provides fully assisted conference support for large-scale conference calls of up to 2,500 participants.

These services help you better manage your conferencing budget. Many advanced features such as global dial-out, record and playback, security pass-codes, conference lock, group mute/unmute, roll call and more are available. Along with these regular services, conference call providers also provide various value added services like toll-free dial-in numbers, toll-free customer support, priority scheduling, recording, telephone playback of recorded conferences, download of recorded conferences, and conference transcription.

Conferencing services are affordable, as conference calling is generally priced per minute, per person. A 6-person, 45-minute call will typically run about $125. Customers with high calling volume can benefit from the flat rate monthly pricing offered by some services. Generally reasonably priced, conference calling services are available in pre-paid and by-the-minute rates. As the rates may vary greatly, check with different service providers to select one.

Such advances in communications and transportation have facilitated this move and have enabled companies to operate all over the world. Now, company representatives can travel equipped with business proposals and make connections from remote places.

We guarantee the quality of every conference call we facilitate.

2007-01-09T22:33:00.000-08:00

If any conference call that we provide is not to your full satisfaction, we will discount that conference call to the extent that you feel is appropriate. conference call.com understands the important role that conference calls play in your business in your business communications and we are dedicated to the accurate, timely, and smooth execution of your meetings!