Approximately 120 professional sales students from 36 universities nationwide will compete in the eighth annual UToledo Invitational Sales Competition (UTISC) from Thursday, Feb 23, through Saturday, Feb. 25.
The competition is a unique and dynamic event opportunity for sponsors and institutions of higher education to connect and engage with the next generation of sales talent as they make their national debut.
Approximately 120 professional sales students from 36 universities nationwide will compete in the eighth annual UToledo Invitational Sales Competition from Thursday through Saturday.
It is the first and only national sales competition dedicated exclusively to non-seniors, and a platform that brings together more than 300 people from dozens of organizations in more than 20 states to identify and develop the top collegiate sales talent.
The competition will include role-playing, coaching/interviewing sessions, a career fair, student development blocks, social media, entertainment and awards on campus with virtual judges and development block facilitators.
“Unleashing the potential of tomorrow’s leaders, The University of Toledo Invitational Sales Competition provides a platform for young students to showcase their skills and shine brighter without being overshadowed by their senior peers,” said Deirdre Jones, director of the Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales. “An additional goal we have is to connect the competitors with top employers and pave the way for a successful career in sales.”
UTISC provides 15 distinct connection opportunities for sponsors and universities, making it a valuable event for businesses and academic institutions looking to foster and nurture relationships with the next generation of sales professionals.
With a focus on non-seniors, UTISC is an ideal place for sponsors to connect with up-and-coming talent they can help mold and shape into successful sales professionals.
For universities, UTISC provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate the quality and depth of their sales programs, showcase the sales acumen of their top students and allow these budding professionals to connect with potential employers.
The selling scenario this year focuses on a 3M safety innovation, the Secure Click Half Face Reusable Respirator Series HF-800.
Students will attend the competition as either a competitor, alternate, peer coach or learner.
Each competing team is comprised of one junior and one sophomore or freshman, so they have representation in both the Junior Division and Sophomore/Freshman Division. Peer coaches can be of any class standing.
During the competition, students are challenged to showcase their adaptability and interpersonal skills in real-world sales scenarios.
Each round is designed to simulate different selling and buying roles and channel involvement, allowing students to gain a holistic understanding of the complexities of selling interactions.
The competition profiles outside of the final round are carefully curated and distributed to university coaches in advance, providing students with ample time to prepare and strategize.
The closing round’s profile is revealed after round 1 has been completed, and the timing to receive it is determined by a university’s engagement points during the development blocks, career fair and coaching/interviewing session.
With role plays lasting 15 minutes, students are given the opportunity to showcase their skills and impress a panel of judges, comprised of both corporate executives and faculty members.
The evaluations are unbiased, with faculty members recusing themselves from judging their own students.
Sponsors of this year’s event include 3M, National Corporate Housing, Mediasite, Fastenal, International Paper, Hilti, Owens Corning, Schindler Elevator, V Couture, Gartner, Adobe, Waste Management, Polymershapes, Amcor and Convergint.
Formed in 2000 and endowed in 2002, the Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales believes in transforming the profession of sales by creating knowledge, shaping people and making connections.
