About The Forum
About The Forum
For over 31 years, The Forum on Workplace Inclusion® (The Forum) has served as a convening hub for those seeking to grow professional leadership and effectiveness skills in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion by engaging people, advancing ideas, and igniting change.
The Forum expands mindsets, skill sets, and tool sets necessary for true workplace inclusion through our annual conference, other events and programs, and our media platform.
The Forum is part of the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
For over 31 years, The Forum on Workplace Inclusion® (The Forum) has served as a convening hub for those seeking to grow professional leadership and effectiveness skills in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion by engaging people, advancing ideas, and igniting change.
The Forum expands mindsets, skill sets, and tool sets necessary for true workplace inclusion through our annual conference, other events and programs, and our media platform.
The Forum is part of the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
The Forum on Workplace Inclusion® annual conference is the nation’s largest workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) conference designed for a national & global audience.
The 2020 Forum Theme — 2020: Facing Forward
A new decade brings challenges that demand new solutions to meet the diverse needs of changing markets, customers, and talent. With eyes on the future, leaders must be open to shifts in their approaches to addressing workplace issues and more—they must be willing to learn from those who bring different ideas, experiences and perspectives.
Equipping our workforce with the diversity, equity, and inclusion skills needed to sustain our businesses into the future requires forward-facing and innovative thinking focused on both local and global solutions. It requires the agility to adapt to the digital environment, commit to global citizenship, and engender new ways of working together to deliver relevant products and services and create spaces where a diverse body of talent can thrive.
Conference Learning Pillars
New Perspectives – Evolving our pasts to inform the future
In an attempt to expand the narrative, how do we honor the history of our individual and collective experiences and invite new perspectives with the goal of moving forward together to inform the future?
Universal Innovation – Better solutions to meet expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion needs
With multiple dimensions of diversity in mind, how can we bring about innovative solutions to meet universal needs?
Future Fluency – Knowledge to stay relevant and keep pace with rapid change
What must we do to be knowledgeable about the future and keep pace with change so our inclusion solutions are not outdated by the time we implement them?
Global Citizenship – Whole-world sensibilities and responsibilities
How can we ensure our practices and solutions meet local needs while exercising a global sensibility and responsibility?
2019 Annual Conference: By the Numbers
1,426
People Involved
197
Presenters
74
Marketplace of Ideas Exhibitors
131
Volunteers
39
US States
171
Coaching Sessions
15
Countries
426
Participating Businesses
39
Sponsor Companies
27
Fortune 500 Companies
25
CEO Action for D&I Pledge Signatories
Download the 2019 Annual Conference By the Numbers infographic.
The University of St. Thomas considers diversity as indispensable to its academic excellence and the holistic development of its students.
As a Catholic university, St. Thomas has an extraordinary opportunity, as well as a special responsibility to create and maintain a climate that affirms the diversity of people and welcomes their many viewpoints, opinions and values. In our university community, our commitment to diversity means including, welcoming and supporting the people who live, work and study here. The university community includes those of diverse races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, religions and physical abilities. All provide a university experience rich in perspectives and opportunities to learn from one another.
The University of St. Thomas considers diversity as indispensable to its academic excellence and the holistic development of its students.
As a Catholic university, St. Thomas has an extraordinary opportunity, as well as a special responsibility to create and maintain a climate that affirms the diversity of people and welcomes their many viewpoints, opinions and values. In our university community, our commitment to diversity means including, welcoming and supporting the people who live, work and study here. The university community includes those of diverse races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, religions and physical abilities. All provide a university experience rich in perspectives and opportunities to learn from one another.