November 5, 2019
Northeast Intercollegiate Sales Competition recognizes K-State Sales Team with top honors
The Kansas State University Sales Team competed in the Northeast Intercollegiate Sales Competition in Smithfield, Rhode Island, hosted by Bryant University on Oct. 25-26.
The competition had 26 universities and 150 competitors, and offered a tournament-style sales competition with individualized feedback and coaching.
The K-State Sales Team had five students compete in the competition: Lanessa Aurand, senior in professional strategic selling and marketing, Belleville; Kaitlyn Porter, senior in organizational management, Manhattan; Jacqueline Clawson, senior in marketing and agricultural economics, Meade; Katie Horton, junior in marketing and professional strategic selling, and Abbie O'Grady, senior in professional strategic selling and marketing, both from Overland Park.
The team competed against students from other universities in multiple events. The K-State Sales Team was recognized for its efforts by taking home the top honors, receiving first place for the Role Play Scenario Team Award. In the Individual Role Play Scenario, O'Grady placed first, Aurand placed second, and Porter placed fourth overall. Horton made it to the quarterfinals but did not advance to the semifinals.
"We are so proud of the members of this team!" said Dawn Deeter, director of the National Strategic Selling Institute and sales team coach. "They turned in great performances and represented K-State well. I received messages from several coaches from other universities commenting on the professionalism and skills of Lanessa, Jacqueline, Katie, Abbie and Kaitlyn. It's a pleasure to work with such motivated and hard-working students."
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 eight straight years by the Sales Education Foundation. The team consists of students who are enrolled in the certificate or major in professional strategic selling. Last fall, K-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 through the innovative curriculum and sales labs allows 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.