The Schwab Impact 2012 Conference is blasting off during the first of its four days here in Chicago.

Over 2,800 people have already registered to attend the event, located in the expansive McCormick Place West in Chicago. The event, in it's 21st year, is primarily focused on courting, and addressing the needs, of RIAs.

More than 300 companies are exhibiting at the event, which is situated primarily in the third floor of the giant South Chicago expo center, including a number of asset managers.

To liven up the event, a number of celebrities both in and out of finance, are scheduled to speak, including Alan Alda, Erskine Bowles, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates and even Keith Wandell of Harley Davidson.

Financial executives scheduled to speak include Charles Schwab himself, as well as Scott Nuttall and George Roberts of KKR.

The 2.6 million square foot meeting space was festooned with giant blue and whites banners with declaring such sentiments as "Unstoppable," with dozens of polite and cheerful 20-something's directing attendees to the expo floor and other important destinations.

Today's events focus largely on registration with a welcome reception during the early evening, with sessions scheduled to start tomorrow.

To learn more about the event, check out the Impact website at http://impact.schwab.com/. 

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