Students from Brigham Young University’s Association of College Entrepreneurs capitalized on their training and zeal to win the most first-place awards of any university at the National Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization Conference Nov. 4–6 in Chicago. The BYU chapter brought home the coveted Best Chapter Award and four other “best of” awards — taking first in five of 14 categories.
Student entrepreneur clubs and associations from 120 colleges and universities in the United States, Australia, and Canada participated in the conference. BYU’s ACE club took first-place in the Best Chapter Business Plan, Best Chapter Web Site, Best Electronic Networking and Best Entrepreneur Intern for a Day Program competitions. In addition to the first place awards, the BYU team placed third in the Elevator Pitch competition.
“Marriott School students distinguished themselves among the 1,200 students at the conference by performing exceptionally well in almost every competition they entered,” says Scott Petersen, BYU ACE club adviser.
Students representing the BYU chapter included Adam Abraham from Azle, Texas; Tyler Petersen from Elk Ridge, Utah; Joseph Skousen from Vienna, Va.; Jill Dempsey from Kent, Wash.; Steve Guymon from Fruit Heights, Utah; Sam Banks from St. George, Utah; and Jarom Adair from Roseville, Calif.
The Best Chapter Award winner was selected by the conference committee who read chapter reports on club activities, fund raising, services offered and guest speakers.
Aside from the many competitions, the conference offered networking opportunities and classes covering a range of topics including hiring, financing, business plans, organizational behavior and marketing.
“The conference was a great opportunity to network with students from other campuses and with the professionals who spoke at the sessions,” says Adam Abraham, BYU ACE president. “We were able to spend the weekend focused on entrepreneurship, networking and improving our business skills.”
BYU’s ACE club is sponsored by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Marriott School of Management. Both are located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The Marriott School has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems, organizational behavior and entrepreneurship. The school’s mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the school’s graduate and undergraduate programs.
Writer: Cari Thomas (801) 422-1512