Kansas State University

MANHATTAN — Students in the Advanced Sales class of the National Strategic Selling Institute, or NSSI, a part of the Kansas State University College of Business Administration, will host a benefit auction beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 25, at the Wareham Opera House, 410 Poyntz Ave., Manhattan.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for our students to develop their selling skills, and at the same time give back to the community," said Dawn Deeter, institute director and J.J Vanier distinguished chair in business administration for relational selling and marketing. "Through the NSSI Benefit Auction, students have the chance to put into practice what they are learning in the classroom."

Students work together to find items for the auction and sell the tickets to the event. This year, the class voted to split the net proceeds with the Boys and Girls Club of Manhattan, while still supporting programming for the NSSI students, including equipment, professional development and travel for the university's sales team.

The event, which requires a $50 minimum donation to attend, will begin with a catered meal from Coco Bolo's and appearances by Stan Weber and Willie the Wildcat, as well as a performance from the university's a cappella group Cadence.

The auction portion of the evening will feature a live auction, hosted by 2001 marketing alumna Michelle Canny of the Canny Team, with items ranging from suite tickets to a home Kansas State University football game to a weekend in a luxury Colorado condo. Also offered will be a silent auction featuring signed sports memorabilia and a variety of gift baskets.

"Employers are very excited by what we are doing, and feedback from the students has been very positive," Deeter said. "Although the class is difficult — it is never easy making cold calls — it is 'real-life' difficult rather than 'book' difficult. Students appreciate the difference and the responses they are getting from employers."

To donate an item or purchase tickets, please contact Deeter at ddeeter@k-state.edu. More information is available at http://www.kstatenssiauction.org/.