Thunder Sales Competition

For this portion of the event, all students are invited to attend to pitch themselves in front of various businesses. It is a great opportunity to practice sales, introduce yourself to hiring companies, and win prizes for the best personal pitches! 8 prizes total will be awarded – 4 first place winners and 4 second place winners. First place winners will receive $100 gift cards, second place will receive $50 gift cards. Only 60 competitors are allowed to compete. The judging criteria for the speed pitch includes only two questions. We ask each judge to answer (1) “how confident were they at selling themselves?” and (2) “would you hire this person?” and rank each participant on a scale of 1-5 for each question. Your scores are totaled from the four judges you pitch to to determine your overall score. View the video below for an example of a speed pitch (coming soon!).

Students participating in this competition will be divided into 4 groups then divided again into 4 sections. For example, you could be assigned to Group A, Section 1 or Group C, Section 4. Your group assignment determines where you present your speed pitch and to which judges. Your section assignment determines when you present your pitch. 

There will be a total of four rounds. All those assigned to section 1 will present first within your assigned group and all four section 1’s will present at the same time. Each student in that section will present four times - once for each judge within your group. Once that section has rotated through all four judges, we will switch to the next section, section 2, and do the same thing again all the way through section 4. Again, scores will be a cumulative total between all the judges in your assigned group. Each group will then have a first and second place winner for a total of four first place winners and four second place winners.

Speed Pitch Examples

All students are invited to compete in presenting a sales pitch based on a case study which we will provide to a panel of judges. Only the first 16 students to register will be allowed to compete, and some of those will come from the Professional Sales Advanced Selling Techniques class (MKTG 4930). The case study will become available to you once you’ve registered for the event. Previous case studies can be viewed below. 

For this first round, you are given 15 min to make your presentation and gain the opportunity to advance to the next round, a meeting to close the deal. Each student will privately present one at a time to your assigned judge, please view the competition rules for further details. Judges will score each participant based on the criteria found in the competition rubric. Your cumulative scores from each judge will determine the finalists. The top 4 competitors from round 1 will compete in Part 3, the final round. 

*Please note, students taking the MKTG 4930 Advanced Selling Techniques, a class within the Sales Program, are required to participate in this portion of the competition.

Sales Roleplay Example

The top 4 competitors from the role play competition will pitch again for their chance to win 1st-3rd place. You are to have prepared a closing pitch for this portion and are given another 15 min to complete the sale. This part of the competition will take place on the main stage in the ballroom in front of the general audience. As before, judges will score each participant based on the criteria  found in the competition rubric. The cumulative scores from each judge will determine the winners of the competition. 1st place will win the grand prize of $1,000 and a unique 3D printed Thor Hammer created by the SUU Makerspace, 2nd receives $500, and 3rd receives $250.

• The Mix n’ Mingle is an opportunity for all participants to meet the judges before the competition starts. It is an opportunity to network, to meet with friends, and relax so you are better prepared for the speed pitch. Though this portion of the competition is not required to be attended, it is highly encouraged.
• Dinner will be provided for all attendees (judges, participants, audience members). This year’s caterer is High Voltage BBQ. Advance notice of additional guests is required and space is limited. Extra space will be provided on a first come first serve basis. 
• The ProSales program uses this competition to choose the following year’s sales team that travels to competitions across the entire country. At the end of the competition, 4 competitors will be asked to join next year’s (24-25) sales team and receive team jackets.
• Due to the generosity of this year's competition sponsors, a scholarship fund has been created to be given to one or more competitors from this year. Funds are still growing and details are still being determined. Stay tuned for more information!