(INDIANAPOLIS) -- Taking personal responsibility for one's own health is important, but employers can help lead the change by encouraging workplace wellness and a culture of health. A bonus for organizations when focusing on wellness: progress toward keeping health care costs in check.

Getting started, or continuing to build upon a current wellness program, can be daunting. To assist Hoosier businesses with instituting policies that benefit the workforce and the bottom line, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce - along with the Wellness Council of Indiana, INShape Indiana and the American Diabetes Association - is hosting the 2012 Indiana Employee Health and Wellness Summit Sept. 26-27 at the Westin in downtown Indianapolis.

Organizations can learn how to implement effective programs and measure the return on investment, as well as how to collect and analyze data. Employers of all sizes and with varying degrees of wellness experience will benefit from educational break-out sessions and the health and wellness expo with more than 40 industry vendors in attendance.

New to 2012 are the pre-conference workshops on Sept. 26, which cover a variety of issues on creating a culture of wellness, designing benefit plans with wellness in mind and strategically aligning workplace wellness with business goals.

Nationally-renowned wellness expert Dr. Judd Allen, Ph.D., will offer the keynote address during the opening session at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 27 and certified yoga teacher and life coach Diane Sieg will give closing remarks.

The cost for the summit is $299 for both days; $109 for those attending on Sept. 26; and $199 for those attending on Sept. 27. Companies sending one representative may send a second for half price.

Register online at www.indianachamber.com/conferences, visit the Indiana Employee Health and Wellness Summit web site at www.indianawellnesssummit.com, or call (317) 264-6885 or (800) 824-6885.

The summit is presented by Delta Dental of Indiana. The Diamond sponsor is Ice Miller, LLP; Platinum sponsors are Dental Health Options by Health Resources, Inc.and Viridian Health Management, LLC. Gold sponsors are Community Employer Health; Dental Health Options by Health Resources, Inc.; Gibson, Hays Companies of Indiana; JA Benefits, LLC.; Principal Wellness Company; and Wishard Health Services. Silver sponsors are Meritain Health, Neace Lukens and New Avenues, Inc.

Additional sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are available by contacting Jim Wagner at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (317) 264-6876.

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The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is the state's largest broad-based business advocacy and information organization, representing nearly 5,000 member companies that employ 800,000 Hoosier workers.