Abstract: A system and method is provided to allow a video conference participant to establish and direct a video conference through a control network separate from the conference network that sustains the conference. A video conference switching system host machine responds to control signals conveyed by a control network to the switching system from a participant-accessible control system. The host machine generates adaptor conference signals that are interpreted to appropriately configure a crosspoint switch in correspondence with the control signals. The switching system may operate in continuous presence or video follows audio modes. In continuous presence mode, the host machine generates adaptor conference signals that are interpreted to convey to the participants a combination video signal composed from the individual video signals. In the video follows audio mode, detected voice signals result in a switch configuration according to a video follows audio protocol or rule set.