October 29, 2020
King places fourth overall at Great Northwoods Sales Competition
The K-State Sales Team competed in the Great Northwoods Sales Competition, Oct. 21-23, in a virtual environment. The competition was hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with 66 competitors representing 23 universities competing in the event.
The K-State Sales Team had three students compete in the competition. The team consisted of Hunter Hartner, freshman in professional strategic selling and marketing, Belleville; Landen King, senior in professional strategic selling, Overland Park; and Quin Napier, sophomore in professional strategic selling, Fairway. Lucas Johnson, senior in professional strategic selling, Shawnee, served as a student coach.
Hormel Foods was the main product sponsor, as students competed in two rounds of role-plays. In the first round, the students showcased their skills selling a product to a distributor. For the second round, the students showcased their skills selling a product into a restaurant.
King placed fourth overall in the competition and was recognized as the university champion from Kansas State University.
"Even during this virtual environment, we are still grateful for the opportunities provided to our students by universities and company sponsors," said Kellie Jackson, managing director of the National Strategic Selling Institute and sales team coach. "I'm very proud of the students for their ability to adapt while furthering their sales skills. It's opportunities like this that allow our students to set themselves apart from other students their age while using the skills they have learned in the classroom."
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 nine 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 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.