Abstract: An application service provider (ASP) environment for conferencing makes conference hosting capability available to a wider user audience, at a cost that is economical for less-frequent users. In the ASP environment, users in the form of individuals and/or group customers lease conferencing capability from a host. The host ASP provides the conferencing hardware and software at a remote host site, and provides an interface in the form of standalone software installed on the user computer, or in the form of a web-based environment. Users access the host ASP electronically via dial-in or web-based interface and following an initial registration procedure, can schedule and administer conferences remotely, according to individual needs. Provisions are made for popular instant messenger applications, wherein a user can immediately invite another registered user to participate in a conference.