On Friday May 12, 122 high school students piled off buses for the first-ever Marketing Invitational and Case Study Competition sponsored by FatCats andheld at Utah Valley University (UVU). For months, students formed teams, prepared to compete, and submitted t-shirt designs. This competition provided high school students from around the state with the opportunity to gain valuable marketing and presentation experience with a real-world case, win scholarship money and prizes, test their marketing skills against other top DECA and FBLA students, and learn about UVU’s Woodbury School of Business andthe careers that a marketing degree can lead to.
Multiple high schools were able to attend the Invitational, including Davis, Salem Hills, Cedar Valley, West Jordan, Maple Mountain, Spanish Fork, East Hollywood, Copper Hills, Westlake, and American Fork. Beyond being a fun experience for students, the event provided professional and educational development, as expressed by one attendee’s father, who stated:
“Participating in the competition had a significant impact on my daughter's confidence. She was able to apply her classroom knowledge to real-life scenarios and present her ideas to professionals. This experience enriched her understanding of marketing concepts and boosted her self-assurance and belief in her abilities. In addition, it was an excellent opportunity for her to begin to understand the importance of getting involved in activities outside the classroom and networking with faculty and fellow students. She is looking forward to beginning the fall semester!”
The event was a huge success, thanks to the effort of Marketing Department Chair Mitch Murdock and his team. “Due to the great work of UVU Marketing faculty and staff, the students and advisors felt very welcome on campus as they participated in competitions, a scavenger hunt, and even karaoke. It truly was a ‘UVU is a place for you’ kind of day,” said Professor Murdock.
At the Woodbury School of Business, providing real-world experience and connections for students has always been a top priority. We look forward to welcoming the incoming class of students this fall. To learn more about our marketing programs and degrees, visit https://www.uvu.edu/programs/woodbury/marketing.html
Article by Garth Talbot
