The World Wide Web and central Illinois businesses will meet at a conference on campus today.

“The E-business Revolution in Central Illinois: How Technology is Improving Business Practices and What it Means to You,” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today in the Roberson Auditorium in Lumpkin Hall.

Business professor Richard Palmer said this conference will be valuable for students, faculty and people from the local business community.

“This will give students a chance to apply what they learned in the classroom to real life and interact with the speakers in the ‘Meet the Speakers’ session directly following the presentation,” he said.

Palmer said five different speakers will offer views on business competition on the Internet.

Joseph Allen, of Caterpillar’s Engine Product Division, will present “E-business is Business,” a study on how Caterpillar’s “e-Philosophy” is extended across its company.

Courtney Spooner will discuss “e-ADM,” a secure Web site where ADM interacts with its customers.

Mike Messmer of Kimball Industries will focus on the company’s state-of-the-art design and sales technology.

Two presentations will showcase completed research, Palmer said.

Bill Rowland, chief executive officer of First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, will present a study on how central Illinois locations could be good distributors for “Internet companies that are a type of ‘Sam’s Club’ for companies,” Palmer said.

Palmer said he will discuss “survey results on the use of e-Procurement technologies, which are e-Auctions, exchanges and the software.”

The topics impact central Illinois, Palmer said.

The seminar is free, but Palmer recommended coming early to get a seat because of limited space.