The Midwest’s premier business technology conference – Infotec – features four nationally-recognized keynote speakers and nearly 100 track presenters from across the country. This month we turn our attention to two more of the tracks and sessions designed to provide attendees with skills that can be implemented as a part of a comprehensive business technology strategy. Visit infotec.org for more information about all of this year’s offerings.

Entrepreneurship and Social Media

Stories of start-ups and maturing companies that focus on social media and IT comprise what should be a popular track, sponsored by Scott Technology Center and University of Nebraska Technology Park . A variety of engaging presenters have been secured, including:

Dustin Ruge, president, SEO Consultant Firm, New York City. Ruge knows 73 percent of Americans now turn to the internet for their everyday needs, creating a fundamental change in how consumers buy products and services. Ruge will describe how companies can better utilize the web and turn their sites into profit centers through the use of advanced Search Engine Optimization techniques when he presents “Using SEO to Turn Websites Into Revenue Centers.” Dustin currently works with law firms in New York City as a client marketing consultant for FindLaw, a division of Thomson Reuters. In the past he's provided marketing and strategy consulting for such companies as Scotts Miracle-Gro, McKesson, ABI and Global Scheduling Solutions, Inc.

Also scheduled are start-up and social media presentations by 9 Clouds from Sioux Falls and other regional start-ups.

IT as a Service

Practical steps and cultural changes are necessary to implement IT as a Service in your organization. This track, sponsored by Jelecos , Data Media Solutions and Heimes Resources , will help you learn more about IT Service Management as well as other IT Infrastructure topics. The following sessions, and so many more, will be available:

“Can I Have Cheese With My Burger Please?” Robert Stroud, vice president and IT service management and IT governance evangelist, CA, understands best practices and mentors organizations on driving maximum business values from their ITIL initiatives. What’s this have to do with cheeseburgers? Register now to hear Stroud, an NYC resident who was recently elected International Vice President of ISACA (previously known as the Information Systems and Control Association), explain how.


“PMBOK and ITIL – Partners not Competitors.” IT Service Management practices are gaining industry and organizational acceptance and adoption. Presenter Julie A. Johnson, a program director at First Data Technologies who has over 15 years experience in financial, product development, insurance and information technology arenas, will explore the key linkages between PMBOK and ITIL processes and the bottom-line benefits.