A method of conferencing involves forming a main conference between a
plurality of users, providing a user with an option to request a
subconference with a subset of other users, forming a subconference
between said user and the subset of other users, and at least partially
removing those users in the subconference from the main conference during
the subsistence of the subconference. The conference is preferably a
multimedia conference and the subconference can be conducted in an
arbitrary mix of one or more of the media used in the main conference.
Subconference participants have the option of monitoring proceedings in
the main conference by receiving some of the main conference media
signals while the subconference is in progress. The invention also
provides conference servers, terminals and software for use in the
subconferencing method.