Softball, luncheons and Abercrombie and Fitch are just a few of the things comprising this year’s Business Week, hosted by Iowa State’s College of Business.

The week, which runs through Sept. 24, gives business students the chance to learn more about their career fields

“The goal is to give business students the opportunity to network with business people, to encourage learning about business beyond the textbooks and to give faculty and students a chance to get to know each other outside the classroom,” said Ann Farni, program coordinator of the Business Undergraduate Programs.

The event kicked off Friday afternoon as students, staff and alumni in the College of Business competed in a golf tournament.

Business Week continues today, with a luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. The luncheon is free to students, faculty and staff of the business college, and others are welcome to attend for $4.

Michael Anderson, a 1979 ISU marketing graduate, will be the keynote speaker. Anderson is the corporate vice president of investors and public relations for Ameritrade Holding Corporation in Omaha, Neb.

“Ameritrade is one of the largest online trading companies in the nation,” said Mary Harms, adjunct instructor of marketing. “We’re excited to have Michael back.”

Anderson’s topic will be “Internet Brokerage and the Input of Financial Markets.”

He also will speak at the e-commerce seminar to be held immediately after his presentation.

The free seminar will be held at 2 p.m. in Room 205 of Carver Hall. Moderated by John Parks, director of the ISU Research Park, the seminar will feature Anderson, Stephen Ringlee of E-Markets and Sridhar Ramaswami, associate professor of marketing at ISU.

A competitive edge will be added Tuesday with the faculty/student softball game.

Career Day will be held Wednesday, with businesses such as Abercrombie and Fitch, Hallmark, Hershey Foods and Microsoft scheduled to attend.

The week-long event will conclude Friday with the scholarship awards ceremony. More than 80 students will be recognized with scholarships based on academics and leadership.