Atypical diversity teaching and training conference yields unique blend of offerings

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the conference on “Teaching and Training Workplace Diversity: Best Practices and Research” held 13‐15 July 2007, on the campus of George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA.Design/methodology/approach – This report highlights the conceptualization of the conference, its intended purpose, structure and participants, as well as specifics of the sessions offered for the benefit of the 56 conference attendees.Findings – The essence of effective diversity management is to fully utilize all the human resources available and thereby to achieve the established purpose and associated goals and objectives. This conference in and of itself was a diversity management best practice, as its success largely depended on the active contribution of the participants.Originality/value – The paper provides an original and interesting report of an atypical conference on diversity teaching and training, with a unique blend of offerings, which was effective in bringing togeth...