Patent ID: 8416936

Claim:
A method comprising: receiving, by a computer processor of a computing device from a conference call administrator, a value indicating a specified time period; first enabling, by said computer processor in response to a first command for enabling a first conference call, said first conference call, said first conference call allowing telecommunications between said conference call administrator and a first participant; locking, by said computer processor in response to said first enabling, said first conference call such that additional participants are unable to access said first conference call; generating, by said computer processor in response to said locking, a virtual holding area for participants associated with a second conference call differing from said first conference call; receiving, by said computer processor from a second participant, a conference call request for joining said second conference call, said second participant differing from said first participant; determining, by said computer processor, that said second participant has requested said joining within said specified time period; routing, by said computer processor in response to said conference call request and said determining that said second participant has requested said joining within said specified time period, said second participant to said virtual holding area; determining, by said computer processor, that said second conference call has been enabled; and routing, by said computer processor in response to said determining that said second conference call has been enabled; said second participant from said virtual holding area to said second conference call.