Three dozen student teams from across the country are set to participate in the 10th annual University of Toledo Invitational Sales Competition beginning Thursday, Feb. 20.
The undergraduate competition challenges two-person teams of freshman or sophomore and junior students to “sell” a product in role-play scenarios with corporate and faculty judges. Teams also earn points for their engagement in a social media competition and other elements of the three-day event including development sessions, networking opportunities, a career fair and more.
Students participate in a career fair during the University of Toledo Invitational Sales Competition in 2023. The 10th annual University of Toledo Invitational Sales Competition begins Thursday, Feb. 20.
“As the first and only national sales competition exclusively for non-seniors, the UToledo Invitational Sales Competition is an opportunity to identify and engage sales professionals when they are still at the onset of their careers,” said Deirdre Jones, an instructor and director of the Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales in the John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation. “As we begin the 10th anniversary competition, we’ve contributed to the professional development of nearly 1,000 students who are transforming the profession of sales. We’re grateful for the time, talent, treasure and trust that our sponsors and participating colleges and universities invest in this competition.”
The University of Toledo Invitational Sales Competition is the first national sales competition to be certified by the University Sales Center Alliance. It’s the largest of several outreach events the Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales organizes annually to foster connections among students, alumni and the business community.
Established in 2000 and endowed in 2002, the school is the administrative home to five degree programs and boasts a cumulative job placement rate of 95%. The placement rate for the most recent 2023-2024 academic year was 100%.
Approximately 120 students from colleges and universities as near as Bowling Green State University and as far as Boise State University are set to participate in the 2025 UToledo Invitational Sales Competition. Seventy-two will actively compete on two-person teams, while others will participate as peer coaches, alternates and learners.
Teams will be challenged to sell corrugated packaging from International Paper, one of 13 sponsors of this year’s competition. During three rounds of role-play scenarios that conclude on Saturday, Feb. 22, corporate sales leaders will pose as potential clients involved in purchasing decisions within their organizations.
Winning teams and individuals will earn cash prizes.
For more information, including a full schedule of daily events, go to the UToledo Invitational Sales Competition website.
