Method of and System for Conference Calling

The present invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications and more particularly to a method of and system for setting up and initiating conference communications One aspect of the invention is broadly defined as a method of conference communication management comprising the steps of scheduling a conference communication with a number of participants, using a telephone number of an originator of the conference communication as the dial in number (or some other unique resource identifier); responding to arrival of a call on the telephone number of the originator of the conference communication by: determining whether the calling party should be allowed to join the conference communication; and responding to the calling party being allowed to join the conference communication by connecting the calling party to the conference communication bridge; otherwise, routing the call on the telephone number of the originator, elsewhere.