The competition is believed to be the oldest of its kind in the country. Student teams must develop a marketing plan for a sponsoring company whose identity remains undisclosed until the case is assigned. Students then have 36 hours to prepare cases that are presented to a panel of expert judges and to representatives of the sponsoring company.
Cases focus on current business issues.
Past corporate sponsors have included Apple Computer, IBM, Microsoft, Planters LifeSavers, R.J. Reynolds and Sara Lee. The competition, which is closed to the public, exposes students to realistic business challenges and provides prospective employers with an opportunity to gauge the students' marketing skills. Prize money will be awarded for the first time in the event's history. The winners and all participants will be honored at an awards banquet on Saturday, Feb. 5, at Bridger Field House in Winston-Salem.