Diversity2Thousand, Hear it Feel It! Live It! was a great success, attracting more than 800 participants and setting a record for highest attended conference on workforce diversity in the United States. This was the third and most successful major conference presented by the GRDC since the organization was founded in 1996.

Held May 16 and 17, 2000 on the campus of Nazareth College in Rochester, the conference featured more than 20 nationally known presenters and keynote speakers. Managers and employees representing dozens of companies and organizations gathered to learn more about producing positive and substantive change in business and community environments.

The conference started on an exciting note with a special reception and keynote address by BET Holdings CEO, Debra L. Lee. On Conference Day, Daniel Carp, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer of Eastman Kodak Company gave a thought-provoking opening keynote address that set a clear tone for day. Bruce Jacobs, author of Race Manners, provided a stimulating lunchtime address. The conference concluded with an inspiring account by Howard Bingham, the award-winning photographer who has chronicled the life of Muhammed Ali.

In keeping with its theme, Diversity 2Thousand made a departure from traditional conference formats. It took content and structure beyond the simple exchange of information and provided an experiential and participatory environment where people connected with one another and deepened the conversation about diversity in the workplace.

In one attendee's words, summing up the value of the conference, "Hats off to the GRDC! You did a fantastic job this year. I have attended the previous conferences in Rochester. This year I felt as if I had a part to play in the overall conference experience. Each session I attended touched me in such a deep, meaningful way. I sincerely felt like the message was loud and clear...it resonated and rebounded in everyone I came in contact with. If we all take the message back to our respective environments, make a personal commitment to influence the change process-the year 2002 conference will be even more explosive! Thank you for allowing us to share in the experience!"

The Greater Rochester Diversity Council acknowledges our sponsors for their support of Diversity 2Thousand: Principal Sponsor, Eastman Kodak Company; Leadership Sponsors: Bausch & Lomb, Rochester Gas and Electric, West Group; Supporting Sponsors: BlueCross BlueShield of the Rochester Area - An Excellus Company, Global Crossing/Frontier Corporation, Nixon Peabody LLP, Time Warner, Communications, Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.; Sponsors: Eastman Chemical Company, Harris Interactive, Mobil Chemical Company, Films Division, Rochester Institute of Technology, Xerox Corporation; Partners: Career Development Services, Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Management Council, St. John Fisher College, University of Rochester