Methods for entering hosts and participants into new or existing conference calls. The method can include receiving a call from a given caller at a VRU. The caller may be either a conference host or participant. The VRU obtains a conference code from the caller and forwards it to a proxy server, along with a request to the proxy server to enter the given caller into a conference call. The proxy server determines that the request from the VRU relates to conferencing services, and forwards the request from the VRU to a conference management system (CMS). The CMS determines whether the given caller is a conference host or a participant, and determines whether a participant has called in before the given caller and has provided a conference code that is related to the conference code entered by the given caller. Depending on the circumstances, the CMS can request either that a new conference be created relating to the conference code as entered by the given caller, or that the caller be entered into an existing conference. If a new conference is being created, it is assigned to one of a plurality of mixers, and a unique identifier is generated for the new conference and provided to the mixer and the VRU. A mixer identifier that uniquely identifies the mixer hosting the conference is provided to the VRU. A data store is loaded with the conference code, the unique identifier for the new conference, and the mixer identifier, and the VRU and the mixer are placed in audio communication to place the caller in the conference.