October 22, 2021
College of Business Sales Team student places eighth overall at Great Northwood Sales Warm-Up
The K-State College of Business Sales Team competed in the Great Northwoods Sales Warm-Up on Oct. 14-16 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The competition was hosted by the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, with 69 students from 33 universities across the country competing in role-play events.
The K-State Sales Team had three students participate in the competition. The team consisted of Natalie Beck, junior in marketing, Jefferson City, Missouri; Blake Bontrager, senior in professional strategic selling and marketing, Wichita; and Hunter Hartner, sophomore in professional strategic selling and marketing, Belleville. Lucas Oliver, junior in professional strategic selling, Overland Park, served as the alternate student competitor.
Hormel Foods was the main sponsor as students focused on selling HERDEZ Taqueria Street Sauces through two rounds of role-plays. In the first round, the students showcased their skills selling the product to a distributor. For the second round, the students showcased their skills selling the product to a retailer.
Hartner placed eighth overall in the competition and was recognized as the university champion from Kansas State University.
"I'm so proud of our K-State Sales Team students and their achievements in this competition, said Dawn Deeter-Schmelz, director of the National Strategic Selling Institute. "They put in a great deal of work to prepare, and it paid off with solid performances. The experience they gain in sales competitions like this is invaluable and prepares them well for their careers after graduation."
The K-State Sales Team is in the College of Business Administration's National Strategic Selling Institute, which has been named one of the top sales programs in the country for 10 straight years by the Sales Education Foundation. The team consists of students who are enrolled in the certificate or major in professional strategic selling. In fall 2018, Kansas State became just the 19th university in the U.S. to offer a major in professional strategic selling. Students can also earn a certificate in professional strategic selling, which is open to all majors at the university. The professional strategic selling program introduces students to the fundamentals of sales and the innovative curriculum and sales labs allow students to develop the skills needed to be successful.
The K-State Sales Team will be competing in several competitions throughout the school year across the country. For more information on the National Strategic Selling Institute or the K-State Sales Team, please contact kstatesalesprogram@k-state.edu.