ISU Spring Sales Competition Expands to Include Universities from Around the Region

 A spring tradition at Idaho State University is growing.

Recently, the ISU College of Business hosted its spring Sales Competition. Sponsored by ICCU, the competition tasked students to work solo or in a team on a realistic commercial banking scenario. Students acted as Business Relationship Officers for ICCU, working to earn the business of a fictional construction company. Guest judges scored each salesperson or group on seven different categories related to negotiation, communication, and overall presentation. Open to all majors, students from Idaho State University, Boise State University, Utah State University, and Weber State University competed, marking the first time that students from beyond ISU have competed. 

“It was so fun to have our regional schools compete, and it definitely helps us raise our game,” said John Ney, executive director of the Walter Brown Center for Sales Excellence at ISU. “The best part for me is seeing students I've had in class who are a little shy about competing grow and gain confidence in their communication skills.”

“This competition was an incredible opportunity to network and apply classroom learning to a real-world situation,” said Scott Smith, a senior majoring in finance. “I would encourage every student, regardless of major or personality type, to consider participating in their university’s sales program and further developing their communication and relationship-building skills.”

The night before the competition began, students participated in a networking reception and an interactive sales career fair where students used open-ended questions to identify mystery items from each of the firms in attendance. 

This year’s winners in each category are:

Sales Individual:
1st Place: Emma Nelson (Utah Valley University)
2nd Place: Jocee Blakey (Utah Valley University)
3rd Place: Karson Jex (Idaho State University)

Sales Team: 
1st Place: Idaho State University (Scott Smith, Hannah Westbrook, Cooper Stokes, Eli Contreras) 
2nd Place: Utah State University (Mckenna Olsen, Brandon Zook, Marcco Robledo, Averie Gunter)
3rd Place Weber State University (Zachary Ritzke, Natalie Schulz, Esther Evans, Rhylee Beise)

ISU Internal Individual: 
1st Place: Dallin Nelson
2nd Place: Scarlet Arredondo
3rd Place: Amara Smith

ISU Internal Partner competition: 
1st Place: Mary and Mady Za 
2nd Place: Beau Jaques and Sani Tuala
3rd Place: Dylen Reynolds and Maka Tuakoi

“I can't thank the sponsors enough,” Ney said. “We simply couldn't do great events like this without them. ICCU was our title sponsor, and they were so amazing to work with. We had over 40 regional business leaders help judge and serve as actors/buyers in the competition. I also want to thank Crystal Zmak - Teton Auto Group, Tad Graham - Stukent, Ryan Meline - Sherwin Williams, Dana May - Farm Bureau, Vance Nielson - HUB International, Colista Matsaw - Shoshone-Bannock Hotel and Casino, Echo Marshall - Idaho State University, Kaitlyn Davis - CED, Brooke Permann and Brett Crocker - Fastenal, Josh Spoklie and Patrick Tulloch - Consolidated Plumbing, Anthony Zerwig - Federated Insurance, Jake McIntosh - Aflac, Jim Hickey - Engel & Volkers, Schryver Christian - Royal Logan, and Laura Evans - Galderma and Marshall University.”

For more information on ISU’s College of Business, visit isu.edu/cob.