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Diversity
2004 an Outstanding Experience
See
conference photos
See
Conference Proceedings
 “Great
sessions…more inclusive than any I have attended…
informative and energizing.” These are just some
of the many positive comments received from attendees
of Diversity 2004, the largest conference ever presented
by the Greater Rochester Diversity Council. Hundreds
of participants attended from 130
companies across the U.S.
”Feedback
from attendees, exhibitors and presenters was overwhelmingly
positive,” said Mike Streeter, GRDC Executive Director.
“Speakers remarked that “there was a real
spirit” that they have not found at other events.
This confirmed for us that we’re on the right path,
that there is a real demand for events like this that
bring people together who are at all levels of experience
and expertise w/ respect to diversity initiatives.”
 “People
are already asking about when the next conference will
be. This was definitely a catalyst for a lot of new
activity and thinking in many organizations that will
continue throughout the year, added Streeter.
The
three-day event featured more than 40 of the nation’s
leading experts on workforce diversity. In addition
to an extensive choice of high-quality presentations,
people took advantage of networking, making connections
with people from other organizations that will follow
well past the conference.
 Alfreda
Brown, GRDC Chair noted, “These major conferences
really spark our thinking about what more we can do
to help organizations drive forward their diversity
initiatives. Our conferences have always featured a
broad business scope. We will continue to focus on that
but based on the positive responses we received from
the post conference symposium on health care we will
also look at other industries that can benefit from
dedicated educational events on diversity issues.”
Brown conveyed her sincere thanks to Diversity 2004's sponsors. "We are
extremely grateful to our sponsors - especially Principal Sponsor Eastman
Kodak Company - for investing in this important educational event and making
it possible for us to bring a unique breadth and depth of thought and ideas
to the table for discussion. We are also appreciative to the presenters for
their participation, to the more than 25 exhibitors, and of course all those
who attended."
 ”The
success of Diversity 2004 comes on the heels of the
GRDC’s continuing growth. In the past two years,
membership in the GRDC has increased more than 60 percent,
bringing not only added diversity to the council, but
new perspectives and views. Hundreds of visitors seek
information on the GRDC Web site, www.rochesterdiversitycouncil.com
every day.
Feedback
Excellent for Diversity 2004
 One
of the primary objectives of GRDC conferences is to
“break new ground and not be a “me too”
organization,” said Streeter. “One can always
expect to find bedrock material at all conferences but
if we are to be of unique value to members and attendees,
it is incumbent on us to figure out what the next levels
and directions are in which we should be headed.”
To
help achieve that conference organizers are currently
evaluating feedback and comments from attendees, presenters
and sponsors.
- Comments
have been overwhelmingly positive. “This was
a great conference. I was able to identify take-home,
applicable information from almost all presentations.”
- Outstanding.
Overall, I enjoyed all of the sessions I attended.
Can’t wait until next year!
- “This
is one of the very best conferences I have attended.
Money well spent. I just wish I could have attended
all sessions. Excellent topics, excellent presentations.
I look forward to next year’s.”
- Very
well organized and conducted conference. Generally,
speakers were exceptional.
- Overall,
conference was helpful, informative, and energizing.
Thank you.
-
It’s hard to pick just one great experience.The
whole day was a truly enlightening experience.
- It
was an awesome experience!
- Best
experience – continued sharing and personal growth.
- Best
experience – networking with other health care
professionals and experiencing the diversity amongst
all of us.
- My
best experience today has been being among such diverse
groups and listening to their own thoughts and opinions
and learning from them, whether I agreed with them
or not.
- Great
sessions. This conference was more inclusive that
any I have attended. I also liked very much the fact
that sessions were repeated – one could really
attend most of the sessions one was interested in.
Furthermore, the pace was perfect, no rush, time to
enjoy everything.
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