Business meetings, seminars, events

• "Basics of Investing," 5:30-7:30 p.m., Cook Inlet Lending Center, 3510 Spenard Road. Guest speaker is Justine Whitman with Edward Jones. Learn the power of interest in saving, small dollar investing and utilizing employer-sponsored plans for retirement. Free. (793-3058)

• "Google Apps in the Cloud for Small Business" in Wasilla, 9-11 a.m., Mat-Su Small Business Development Center, 201 N. Lucille St. Learn how to use the power and cost effective Google Apps with cloud computing to enhance your small business tools. Topics include what cloud computing is and the advantages of using Google to boost efficiency, lower costs and remove the headache of extra upkeep and maintenance. Hear about services like email, chatting, documents, shared calendars and more. $25. (907-373-7232, www.aksbdc.org)

WEDNESDAY• Association of Information Technology Professionals' monthly dinner meeting topic is "IT Job Searching for Candidates and Managers, 6:30 p.m., Peanut Farm, 5227 Old Seward Highway. Linda Gutirrez, senior recruiter with Personnel Plus, will discuss the search for IT professionals from the standpoint of both the hiring manager and the job seeker. Dinner available to purchase off the menu.

• Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber Lunch Forum, noon- 1 p.m., Bear Mountain Grill, 12300 Old Glenn Highway. Hear guest speakers from the "Make Alaska Competitive Coalition." $3-$16. (694-4702, www.cer.org)

THURSDAY

• "Basics of Construction Accounting" workshop, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., BP Energy Center, 1014 Energy Court. Alaska's Chapter of Construction Financial Management Association hosts the class. This workshop will be helpful to accountants, bookkeepers, controllers, surety and insurance personnel, and anyone with an interest in accounting and construction. Cost is $175 for CFMA members and $190 for non-members, R.S.V.P. to jameseaston@wccak.com or call 382-5735. (lastfrontier.cfma.org)

• The National Association of Purchasing Management conducts a dinner and conference, 6-8 p.m., Westmark Anchorage Hotel, 720 W. Fifth Ave. Jim Florentine of ClearEdge Partners in Seattle will speak on "IT Procurement." $28. (646-6308, napmalaska.org)

• Understanding Twitter for Business and Nonprofits, 7-9 p.m., Elim Cafe, 561 W. Dimond Blvd. Discover the power of Twitter to gain credibility, build your brand and create awareness, enhance customer service, generate and connect with prospects, generate revenue and donations and more. In this hands-on workshop, learn the difference between Twitter and other social networks, how to set up your Twitter account and more in just a few minutes a day using free or low-cost automated tools. Free, but registration required. (250-7425)

• "Digital Culture: The Positive and the Negative" is the topic of the next meeting of the Alaska Professional Communicators from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Kinley's restaurant, 3230 Seward Highway. Paola Banchero, associate professor and chair of the Department of Journalism and Public Communications at UAA, will speak on young people, social media and other aspects of digital culture. Banchero has 17 years of journalism experience and reporting from Guadalajara, Mexico to Anchorage. The public is welcome. $19-$25. (274-4723, akprocom.org)

FRIDAY

• Alaska World Affairs Council presents "The Last Best Chance for North America Energy Security," 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m., Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center, 600 W. Seventh Ave. Continuing its "Oil and Gas Series" sponsored by Northrim Bank, Kevin Book, energy analyst with Clearview Energy, will speak. Introduction by Sen. Mark Begich. $15-$35. Students admitted for free. (RSVP to info@alaskaworldaffairs.org or 276-8038)

COMING UP• The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce's "Make It Monday" meeting at noon Feb. 6 features "Priority 2012: Future of Natural Resource Development" in the Egan Convention Center. Commissioner Dan Sullivan will discuss Alaska's natural resource-related initiatives, including permitting reform, boosting TAPS throughput, natural gas and strategic minerals, as well as review 2011. Register at anchoragechamber.org or call 272-2401 by 5 p.m. Friday.