College Federal Reserve Challenge in Chicago
Teams make presentations on current economic conditions, the economic outlook and Federal Reserve policy, and offer a monetary policy recommendation. Judges test competitors' knowledge about the Federal Reserve. District competition takes place in early November, and the district champion advances to the national level.

Contact Bryce Kanago, Associate Professor of Economics, 319-273-2951.

Elevator Pitch Competition
The UNI Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization, in conjunction with the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, holds an elevator pitch competition early in the fall semester. The winner from the UNI competition advances to the national Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization's competition held at the CEO annual conference. Three national winners are selected.

Contact Katherine Cota-Uyar, John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center program manager, 319-273-5732.

Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA)
Undergraduate student entrepreneurs who own a "for-profit" business and have been responsible for ongoing business operations for the past six consecutive months are eligible to compete in the regional GSEA contest. Regional winners advance to the Global Finals, sponsored by the Entrepreneur's Organization (EO). The winner receives a $10,000 cash prize plus products and services donated by EO members.

Contact Laurie Watje, Student Business Incubator manager, John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, 319-273-2020.

Iowa Business Plan Competition
This annual business plan competition for start-up or young Iowa business owners asks prospective competitors to submit an executive summary. Judges select businesses to continue in the competition, and those business owners must submit full business plans. Plans are reviewed, and up to 10 businesses are selected to make presentations to judges in the final round. The top three businesses receive awards of $25,000 (first), $15,000 (second) and $10,000 (third).

Contact Katherine Cota-Uyar, John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center program manager, 319-273-5732.

Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute
Eight UNI students, selected through essays and interviews, are grouped with 24 students from the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Buena Vista University, and Iowa Lakes Community College for one week of advanced study of entrepreneurship. Students compete in a business simulation and also attend seminars with successful entrepreneurs and business and community leaders to enhance their understanding of entrepreneurial opportunities in Iowa.

Contact Katherine Cota-Uyar, John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center program manager, 319-273-5732.

Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition
This annual spring competition, sponsored by John Pappajohn, Equity Dynamics and the Pappajohn Centers, is for Iowa college and university students interested in starting their own business. Original business plans are chosen in five regional competitions with winners advancing to the state level. Seed awards of $5,000 are given to three winners who effectively present viable plans.

Contact Katherine Cota-Uyar John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center program manager, 319-273-5732.

Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)
Student members of UNI Entrepreneurs, an affiliate of CEO and SIFE, engage in numerous competitions offered by SIFE each year. SIFE USA Regional Competition is the principal event, with winners advancing to the SIFE USA National Exposition and ultimately the SIFE World Cup. Competition is based on seven criteria, and teams are judged by their ability to effectively measure and demonstrate the creation of economic through by helping others.

Contact Laurie Watje, Student Business Incubator manager, John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, 319-273-2020.

Krause Challenge
Join UNI's Krause Challenge team and put your financial knowledge to work while exercising your analytical and investment skills. UNIBusiness students compete against students from Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and Drake University. The object of the competition is to manage actual stock portfolios initially funded by $100,000 gifts to each university from W.A. Krause, chairman of Kum & Go. The team with the greatest financial return at the end of the annual competition wins. The money is retained for future teams.

Contact Mir Zaman, Carl Schweser Professor of Financial Analysis, 319-273-2579.

NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association Minnesota Chapter
University Challenge

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, hosts this competition for real estate students each year. Student teams act as development consultants and present their most practical and best-use solutions to a real estate challenge, such as new site development or redevelopment of industrial space.

Contact Art Cox, Department of Finance interim head and Real Estate Education Program director, 319-273-6986.

Operations Stimulus
The Supply Chain Management Association participates in this international logistics competition in Denver each January. Operation Stimulus is sponsored by The Denver Transportation Club and the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver. Teams are given a logistics case two weeks prior to arriving. The first afternoon each team presents its recommendations to a panel of judges, but an hour prior to making their presentations the teams are given a twist to their case that must be incorporated into their presentation. A winner is chosen from each pool of four university teams and the winners move into the final round. The event also includes a trade show, speakers and opportunities to network with logistics and supply chain executives.

Contact Chris Schrage, international programs coordinator, 319-273-2126.

Network of International Business Schools (NIBS) Case Analysis Competition
The NIBS competition tests problem solving, decision making, and presentation skills on top of challenging students' business "IQ."

Teams compete by analyzing business cases. During the qualifying round in November, team members complete a case analysis that defines the business problem, provides alternative solutions, makes a solution recommendation, and provides a plan for implementation. The top teams compete in the final round at a host university where the teams analyze cases and orally present their findings to the judges.

The UNIBusiness team, comprised of International Club of Business Students members, has competed in New Zealand, Montreal, Newfoundland and France.

Contact NIBS team advsior Chris Schrage, international programs coordinator, 319-273-2126.

The Great Northwoods Sales Warm-up
The Great Northwoods Sales Warm-Up is a highly personal sales competition for college students interested in sales as a profession. Students hone their selling skills, network with sales professionals and recruiters, meet other students who share an interest in sales, and compete for more than $5,000 in cash prizes and awards.

Contestants deliver two, 20-minute sales presentations (one for a product, the other for a service) to an individual buyer. Sales calls are evaluated by a panel of sales professionals who view presentations via cablecast at a remote location. Students receive their evaluation sheets, a CD of their presentations and a half hour debriefing session with one of the sales professionals who evaluated their performances.

Contact Steve Corbin, Department of Marketing interim head, 319-273-6204.

Manitoba International Marketing Competition (MIMC)
The MIMC, a student-managed competition established at the University of Manitoba's Aspen School of Business in Winnipeg, Canada, develops students' understanding of marketing principles through the use of strategic decision making. In mid-October, teams from around the world begin competition via an Internet business simulation followed in November by a strategy and market analysis. For three days during the first week of January, the teams meet in Winnipeg for the final stages of the competition.

Marketing and business knowledge are integrated to reach decisions on market entry, production levels, market staffing, service levels, budget allotment and more. The competition requires strong writing and speaking skills.

Contact MIMC team advisor Chris Schrage, international programs coordinator, 319-273-2126.

The National Collegiate Sales Competition (NCSC)
The NCSC hosts the top collegiate sales talent and sales faculty from university sales programs across North America. Competitors make 20-minute sales calls to fictional businesses; their goals range from getting a second appointment to making the sale. However, the focus is on the sales skills exhibited rather than the outcome of the call. The competition is a tournament-style format which includes a wildcard and elimination rounds for advancement. Contestants are evaluated on their approach and rapport, needs identification, presentation, handling of objections, closing and communication skills.

Contact Steve Corbin, Department of Marketing interim head, 319-273-6204.

BIZ INK
BIZ INK is an international, undergraduate, business-student competition that challenges students around the world to develop professional skills and practical knowledge using "real-life" business cases. It requires a goal orientation, creativity, social consciousness and the capacity to work effectively and efficiently in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams. BIZ INK strives for a global perspective on business, with a special interest in Latin-American companies, which face a fast changing region politically, socially and economically. The BIZ INK finals, known as the INK CHALLENGE, take place at the EAFIT university campus in Medellin, Colombia.

Contact Chris Schrage, international programs coordinator, 319-273-2126.

Phi Sigma Epsilon (PSE)
Members of the UNI chapter of PSE, Epsilon Theta, compete in numerous categories at the PSE Regional Conference and National Convention. Competitions include the Pro-Am Sell-a-Thon, Speakers Competition and the Boss Games. Winners at the regional level go on to compete at the National Convention.

Contact Matthew Bunker, Associate Professor of Marketing, 319-273-6947.

A number of competitions provide the opportunity for students to travel abroad thus adding another exciting dimension to their learning experience. Find more under Connect With The World.