7th Annual Regional Conference
February 28th & March 1st, Talley Student Union
In today’s fast-paced world, success demands innovation that pushes boundaries, reshapes industries, and engages audiences in meaningful ways. Our 7th Annual Regional Conference, themed “Driving Innovation”, will challenge students to explore how bold thinking, cutting-edge technology, and data-driven insights come together to transform the marketing and business landscape.
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From crafting immersive marketing campaigns to understanding how data and insights fuel strategic decisions, these speakers will offer unparalleled perspectives on how to be a trailblazer in today’s competitive landscape.
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Driving Innovation is about more than just staying ahead—it’s about leading the way. This theme will challenge attendees to think creatively, act boldly, and explore new opportunities for growth and engagement. Through dynamic sessions, competitions, and interactive experiences, students will leave equipped with the knowledge, inspiration, and tools to become innovation leaders in their own careers.
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*NOTE: The main conference is on March 1st, and only the Business Case Compeititon is on February 28th.
Competitions
OVER $4,000 IN PRIZE MONEY
Business Case
Teams of 4 will have six hours to tackle a real-world business challenge, analyze key issues, and develop strategic solutions for a real company.
Presentations will be made to a panel of industry experts and company representatives, putting problem-solving, analytical, and presentation skills to the test.
The top teams will move on to a final round the same day, refining their ideas and competing for grand cash prizes!
Marketing Strategy
This is your chance to showcase your creativity and marketing skills in a competitive environment in teams of 4.
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Presentations will be made to a panel of industry experts, putting problem-solving, analytical, and presentation skills to the test.
Perfect Pitch
A 90-second interview ‘pitch’, presented by Sherwin Williams, in which students will position themselves as being “right for the job”.
Students will pitch themselves after being given a specific prompt based on a real-world business/role scenario.
Participants will be evaluated on speech delivery and creativity by a jury composed of 4 high profile judges.
Sales
Participants engage in one-on-one role-plays designed to demonstrate essential sales skills, including prospecting, needs identification, solution presentation, objection handling, and closing techniques.
Each participant will be given a real-world sales scenario and must navigate the conversation strategically to achieve a successful outcome. Competitors will be evaluated on their communication skills, adaptability, and overall sales approach by a panel of industry professionals.
Mihali Stavlas
CEO
Mellonaid
Speakers
Brooks Deaton
VP of Data & Insights
NASCAR
John Bradford
CEO
PetScreening
Andrew Hartman
Chief Growth Officer
PetScreening
Career Fair
