The ninth annual Hispanics of Today (HOT) Conference will be at Iowa State April 3-5, but students can start getting involved this week.

The Hot Conference features workshops on leadership development, organizational skills, cultural heritage and career enhancement.

An informational meeting will be held in the Central Latino Office Friday at 4 p.m.

“This year the U.S. Marines are trying to get the highest ranking Hispanic in the military to come and speak on leadership development,” said Juana Nolasco, chairperson of the HOT Conference.

This year’s conference will include three general sessions, covering topics ranging from community involvement to continuing education, Nolasco said.

Career development, cultural awareness and political awareness will also be covered.

The general sessions will be open to any student registered for the conference, Nolasco said.

“We will also be having another dance workshop during the conference. It was such a success last time that we would like to try it again,” he said.

The HOT Conference was created to serve as a unifying body for Hispanic student organizations as well as a forum to promote ideas that will benefit Hispanic organizations and their communities.

The conference wants to prepare Hispanic students who choose to pursue a higher education for their future roles in society, Nolasco said.

Participant Keith Kmett said the HOT conference is not only for Hispanic students.

Nolasco agreed, saying the HOT Conference is for anyone interested in learning more about the Hispanic culture.

Any students wanting to get involved right away or interested in more information on the HOT Conference can contact Nolasco at 294-3801.