Ten months of planning boil down to one day filled with panels, speakers, networking and opportunities for jobs and internships.

The 5th annual Business Symposium will be held Nov. 7 from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Qwest Center. It is open to the public.

This is the second largest student conference of its type in the nation. All business classes are canceled to provide the opportunity for all students to attend.

“[It] brings the classroom to the real world,” said Sarah Snyder, Business senior and co-coordinator of the 2008 Business Symposium.

Most businesses are from the Omaha area, but all businesses have a Creighton connection in one way or another.

Snyder sees only potential for the growth of the program. Sponsorship keeps increasing with the current economic situation, Snyder said.

One of the keynote speakers for the day will be Nike executive Jayme Martin.

It is an opportunity to establish relationships, learn professional skills and discuss topics that aren’t brought up in the classroom, said Jeremy Fisher, associate director of the Business Career Programs for the Creighton Career Center.

Even though the program stems from COBA, all students are welcome to attend.

“It is open to all students interested in learning about business,” Fisher said.

For an event schedule and further information, go to www2.creighton.edu/business/symposium.