CHICAGO, USA: The seventh annual Pan-Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Global Conference is set to open with a bang in Chicago Friday.

A high-energy laser show followed by a sight-and-sound performance will open the three-day annual summit at Schaumburg on the outskirts of Chicago.

About 3,000 IITians from around the world will attend the conference to be addressed by former US president Bill Clinton, Indian Human Resource Minister D.Purandeswari, America's chief technology officer Aneesh Chopra, Sam Pitroda and others.

Famous IITians such as Rajat Gupta, Vinod Khosla, Arjun Malhotra and Kanwal Rekhi will also speak at the technology summit.

"We are already sold out. It is full house and there are no seats. We have requested the city fire brigade to allow us extra seats to accommodate more guests," conference chairman Ray Mehra told IANS.

"The opening ceremony will be followed by lamp-lighting by dignitaries, including India's consulate general in Chicago," Mehra said.

The techies will set the tone for their three-day proceedings on a lighter note, with dazzling performances by Bollywood pop singer Kailash Kher and Chicago's famous group called The Second City.

The theme of this year's conference is 'Entrepreneurship and Innovation in a Global Economy.'

The major steps planned at the summit include a database of alumni ready to take up teaching assignments at IITs.

Just before the conference officially opens, Sam Pitroda will chair a private session 'Educational reforms to prepare youth for a changing market.'

This session, which will be attended by the Indian minister, IIT directors and presidents and deans of US universities, will discuss faculty exchanges to benefit IITs, curriculum reforms, and joint research projects between IITs and universities abroad.

"After the opening ceremonies, we go into 37 sessions covering health care, education, energy, and IT infrastructure," Mehra said.

The whole thrust of the summit, he said, is to highlight opportunities through innovation.

"We have picked up major areas which will create jobs and growth in the next 10 years. And the high point of each session will be spotlighting opportunities for investment - be it energy, health care or IT. Innovation is the name of the game in today's world," the conference chief said.

Aneesh Chopra, Obama's top technology man, will also devote his speech to business opportunities through innovation.

©IANS