WORLD TRADE CENTER BUFFALO NIAGARA HOSTS 2ND ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CASE COMPETITION
2020 event expanded to include teams from six (6) schools competing, welcoming Daemen and Niagara Colleges
LEWISTON, NY (Feb. 25) – World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara (WTCBN) president Craig Turner expressed excitement today about the upcoming 2nd Annual WTCBN International Case Competition, to be held this Friday, February 28 at Niagara University. The 2020 Case Competition will feature teams from six (6) colleges and universities in the bi-national Buffalo Niagara region, up from four (4) teams in last year’s competition.
“When we talk to our member companies, recruiting quality people continues to be among the most high-profile challenges to business growth,” said Turner. “Our Case Competition was started to put our region’s future international business leaders in front of our companies desperately seeking talent. This year’s event takes that to the next level. Who doesn’t love having an event grow in participation, attendance and sponsorship from the year before?”
Competing schools for the 2020 event will be 2019 Champion Brock University, Canisius College, Daemen College, Niagara College, Niagara University and the University of Buffalo. Teams are comprised of undergraduate international business students, and will be competing on a real-life case provided by a WTCBN member.
The 2020 program will include two rounds of case presentation, pitching, awards ceremony, networking reception, and feature keynote speaker George Small, chief technology officer for Moog, Inc. WTCBN members and guests are invited and encouraged to watch the students’ presentations and then network with the students during the reception.
Last year’s champion was the team from Brock University. Andrew Gaudes, dean of Brock’s Goodman School of Business, said, “Competitions like this allow students to expand on their classroom knowledge by realizing their potential in a real-world international context. We applaud the World Trade Centre Buffalo Niagara for providing the opportunity for schools from both sides of the border to come together in the spirit of international business and cooperation.”
Judging the students’ presentations will be panels comprised of U.S. and Canadian reps, public and private sector. A list of judges is attached.
“Rich Products is pleased to have the opportunity to once again be a part of this innovative and forward-thinking event, which tackles one of the significant challenges in workforce – connecting with young talent in our region,” said Rob Clark, WTCBN Board member and Director US/C Ingredients, Global Procurement at Rich Products Corporation, which helped create the case for the 2019 competition. “Last year’s competition was eye-opening for just how talented these students are, and Rich’s is looking forward to this year’s expanded event.”
WTCBN’s 2nd Annual International Case Competition is generously sponsored by Calamar, Dynabrade, Lumsden & McCormick, LLP, Moog, Inc., Niagara County, Niagara University, Rich Products and Vanocur Refractories.
The program is complementary to attend, but registration is required at www.wtcbn.com/events. Round One of the student presentations will begin at 1 p.m., Finals at 4 p.m., with the keynote presentation, awards and reception beginning at 5 p.m.
World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara is celebrating its 20th year as a member of the World Trade Centers Association in 2020. Its mission is to assist companies in Western New York and Southern Ontario in finding success and growth beyond their domestic markets. More information on World Trade Center Buffalo Niagara and the 2nd Annual WTCBN International Case Competition is available at www.wtcbn.com.
