One of the Midwest’s most influential information systems and technology conferences — CyberIowa — will be held today and Friday at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines.

Lars Peterson, interim assistant state director of the Iowa Small Business Development Center, said students should take special interest in the conference because it’s also a job fair.

“It’s unusual in the sense that I know of nowhere in the Midwest that big-name speakers come together for a two-day conference,” Peterson said.

The Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce Federation is the organizing agency behind CyberIowa, said Susan Ramsey, media relations director for the chamber of commerce. She said about 300 people have registered for the conference.

“The majority of people will be professionals who are already in the field seeking ongoing professional development,” Ramsey said.

The conference portion of the event, which includes expert speakers, is today from 8 a.m. to noon and Friday from 12:15 to 4:30 p.m.

Gov. Terry Branstad will deliver the welcoming address today at 9 a.m. Other conference speakers include Michael Hawley with “Things that Think,” Larry Winget with “The Ya Gotta’s for Success” and Daniel Burrus with “Technotrends.”

Peterson said these speakers are some of the leading thinkers in information technology.

“An event with these kinds of speakers in Iowa is unprecedented,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to hear some of the top people in the field talk about what’s going on in information technology now and in the future.”

Ramsey said she is excited about the speakers, especially Hawley.

“Michael Hawley is so fascinating,” she said. “He is amazing. He’s very engaging as well, which you wouldn’t expect from a computer geek.”

Ramsey said the conference would be beneficial to students, and she hopes some ISU students will attend.

“We felt that this type of presentation is [usually] not available to students in this part of the country,” she said. “The opportunity for a student to be able to hear these people speak is outstanding.

“The reason we’re able to bring this caliber of conference to the Midwest is because of our sponsors,” Ramsey said.

Companies sponsoring the event include Pioneer Hi-Bred, Inc., McGladrey & Pullen, Amerus Life, MidAmerican Energy, Meredith Corporation, Principal Financial Group, the State of Iowa and Iowa State’s College of Business, Ramsey said.

Peterson said during the first day and a half of the conference, companies will exhibit their high technology projects. The companies also will have booths set up during the job fair.

“These are the major employers in the central Iowa area that have a need for [information technology] professionals,” Ramsey said.

During the job fair, Iowa State’s College of Business will have a booth with information for those interested in the school, Peterson said.

“We’ll be talking to prospective students about College of Business programs,” he said.

The college will also have a computer at the booth so attendants can view ISU’s management information systems Web site, Peterson said.

Some of the college’s faculty have been encouraging students and other faculty members to attend CyberIowa, said Barbara Clark, executive director for the College of Business.

“We’re certainly encouraging students, especially our MIS students, to take advantage of the opportunity,” Clark said. “It is a wonderful opportunity for them to interact and network with some very influential people in the Des Moines area.”

Clark said there will be a networking reception today from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

“[ISU is] excited about participating in this,” Clark said. “We think it’s a tremendous opportunity. We’re certainly encouraging our students to take a look at it.”

Admission to the conference is $50 for college and high school students and $200 for other attendees. The job fair on Friday afternoon is free for students.