A good informational interview starts with research. After you decide what areas you are interested in, you need to figure out who has the information you need. Tell them what you are interested in. Consider them as a potential interviewee and ask for names of people they could refer you to.
Newspapers offer a variety of possible leads.
Look at the classified listings for organizations and names of people in areas that interest you. Wait a month after the listing appears before trying to set up an informational interview. This way you can gain insight into who they hired and why. Newspapers also cover local and national business activity. Each event reported gives you a reason to call that particular business and demonstrate your knowledge and active interest in the business community.