Marketing Students Take Top Honors at International Conference

Ten students from the Chico State chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) attended the AMA International Collegiate Conference in Chicago from March 17-19, where they demonstrated once again that College of Business students are “Company Worth Keeping!” 

The team brought home multiple awards while competing against more than 800 students from 70 different schools at this annual conference where AMA chapters come together to network, compete and improve their marketing skills. Chico AMA won first overall and second for “Best Display of Chapter Activities” for their Trade Show Exhibit. The students designed and executed a trade-show-style booth based on the conference theme of “Rise Together.” Juniors Madeline Litman and Luke Evans and seniors Ana Flores and Nadiah Martinez helped create and design the booth, and junior Katelyn Condon and senior Katherine DeLeong presented the booth to judges.

“The International Collegiate Conference was such an exciting way to represent Chico State at an international level,” Litman said. “Not only did we meet so many new people, but our team was able to work together and achieve a lot. We’re proud to have so many of our accomplished AMA students bringing home wins.”

Flores placed second in the nation for the Sales Competition, among more than 60 student competitors, with 10- and 15-minute role-plays selling Sherwin-Williams paint to a potential buyer. Sophomores Alexandra Pomatto and Kristen Chatham tied for sixth in the nation for Perfect Pitch, competing against more than 100 other students from around the world as they pitched why they were the perfect candidate to hire at C.H. Robinson. They had 90 seconds to demonstrate their knowledge of the company and share their skills and what makes them unique.

Chatham, Pomatto and juniors Katlyn Lakey and Terry Hori competed in the Marketing Simulation Competition hosted by Sabre and placed first in their room and 10th overall—Chico State’s best performance to date. This competition was a rigorous eight-hour simulation focused on business marketing. Competitors made strategic decisions, analyzed results, adapted choices and implemented strategies to run a successful simulated business.

“The experience of leading the American Marketing Association chapter into an international conference in Chicago was incredible,” said Condon, president of Chico AMA. “I am so proud of our team for placing in almost every competition and making our University’s name known. Our hard work and determination to achieve excellence were recognized, and I could not be happier.” 

This year’s AMA Chico Team was comprised of almost all business administration majors, with the exception of Evans, who is majoring in political science. Faculty advisor Kristin Minetti expressed deep pride in the students and said their victories were unsurprising, given the talent and energy they bring to such endeavors.

“They put in a lot of hard work and preparation for these competitions, and we ranked top in the nation for many of them,” she said. “I really enjoy being their advisor, and it is so rewarding when I get to meet and work with students like them.”

The Chico State AMA chapter belongs to the international organization which is comprised of more than 200 universities. The University’s AMA chapter is dedicated to helping students to stand out in their professional lives through the development of marketing, business and interpersonal skills. By providing a comprehensive learning environment, members become prepared to be tomorrow’s business leaders. To learn more visit https://www.csuchicoama.org or email csuchicoama@gmail.com or kkminetti@csuchico.edu.