Deb Brown, founder of Debworks, and Nathan Wright, founder of Lava Row, will host the first Iowa 140 Characters Conference from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Civic Center’s Stoner Theater on May 9.

Speakers will present 10- to 20-minute segments about how real-time technology, such as Twitter and Facebook, is changing business, government, agriculture and other sectors. The event is a localized version of a national event started in 2009. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased by clicking here.