A method in a mobile communication device of managing a voice connection for an audio conference related to a text-based message, said method comprising: initiating an instant messaging session via a data connection with one or more other communication devices using an instant messaging application executed on the mobile communication device in a Data Mode; presenting a user interface of the instant messaging application on a display of the mobile communication device, said user interface presenting, in the Data Mode, at least a portion of a text-based message; receiving a voice connection request from an audio conference gateway; responsive to said receiving, establishing a voice connection with said audio conference gateway, wherein a voice channel of the voice connection, when established, is separate and distinct from a data channel of the data connection; the method being characterized by comprising: receiving status information from said audio conference gateway over said voice connection, wherein said status information comprises a first indication of a predetermined group, where said predetermined group comprises a plurality of potential audio conference participants, and said status information comprises a second indication that a voice connection has been established with a potential instant messaging conversation participant among a plurality of potential instant messaging conversation participants; determining that the predetermined group is associated with a Data Mode instant messaging conversation of the instant messaging session and associating said voice connection with the predetermined group; indicating that the predetermined group has switched from the Data Mode to Voice Mode; and updating said user interface based on the first and second indications, including using the second indication to update the status of the members of the predetermined group. initiating an instant messaging session via a data connection with one or more other communication devices using an instant messaging application executed on the mobile communication device in a Data Mode; presenting a user interface of the instant messaging application on a display of the mobile communication device, said user interface presenting, in the Data Mode, at least a portion of a text-based message; receiving a voice connection request from an audio conference gateway; responsive to said receiving, establishing a voice connection with said audio conference gateway, wherein a voice channel of the voice connection, when established, is separate and distinct from a data channel of the data connection; the method being characterized by comprising: receiving status information from said audio conference gateway over said voice connection, wherein said status information comprises a first indication of a predetermined group, where said predetermined group comprises a plurality of potential audio conference participants, and said status information comprises a second indication that a voice connection has been established with a potential instant messaging conversation participant among a plurality of potential instant messaging conversation participants; determining that the predetermined group is associated with a Data Mode instant messaging conversation of the instant messaging session and associating said voice connection with the predetermined group; indicating that the predetermined group has switched from the Data Mode to Voice Mode; and updating said user interface based on the first and second indications, including using the second indication to update the status of the members of the predetermined group. receiving status information from said audio conference gateway over said voice connection, wherein said status information comprises a first indication of a predetermined group, where said predetermined group comprises a plurality of potential audio conference participants, and said status information comprises a second indication that a voice connection has been established with a potential instant messaging conversation participant among a plurality of potential instant messaging conversation participants; determining that the predetermined group is associated with a Data Mode instant messaging conversation of the instant messaging session and associating said voice connection with the predetermined group; indicating that the predetermined group has switched from the Data Mode to Voice Mode; and updating said user interface based on the first and second indications, including using the second indication to update the status of the members of the predetermined group.