Jayhawks host 3rd annual KU Professional Selling Program/King’s Hawaiian Sales Competition

LAWRENCE – Students from 11 teams across the U.S. competed in the third annual KU Professional Selling Program/King’s Hawaiian Sales Competition on March 24-25 at Capitol Federal Hall.

This year’s competition featured teams from the University of Kansas School of Business, as well as the University of Arizona, University of Central Missouri, Emory University, University of Iowa, Morehouse College, Oklahoma State University, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of North Dakota and Texas Tech University.

The event is sponsored and judged by King’s Hawaiian and included a 90-second, individual speed-selling competition and a three-round, tournament-style team case competition, which featured a business situation designed by the company. Winners received cash prizes and were recognized during an awards ceremony.

Winners of the team case competition

• First place: University of Central Missouri ($4,000)
• Second place: Texas Tech University ($3,000)
• Third place: University of Arizona ($2,000)

Winners of the individual speed-selling competition

• First place: Joel Leslie, University of Central Missouri ($600)
• Second place: Joel Smith, Morehouse College ($500)
• Third place: Reagan Vasquez, Texas Tech University ($400)
• Fourth place: Michaela Sy, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ($300)
• Fifth place: Max Davis, University of Arizona ($200)
• Sixth place: Joseph Caros, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ($100)

“The partnership with King’s Hawaiian and its support of the Professional Selling Program allows KU to host a fun and educational sales competition,” said Kristen Helling, director of the KU School of Business Professional Selling Program. “Students not only compete for cash prizes, but they also get exposure to the consumer packaged-goods industry, practice problem-solving and present solutions to real-world business situations — a valuable complement to their education in the classroom. I am proud of all the student competitors and was once again reminded how bright the future is for consultative sales.”

The inaugural event in 2021 hosted eight teams virtually because of COVID-19 precautions. The 2022 competition took place at Capitol Federal Hall, with 12 schools competing.

“After our third event, we are even more excited for the future of the sales profession,” said Zach Vitztum, regional vice president, retail execution and emerging brands for King’s Hawaiian. “This competition could not happen without the leadership of the Professional Selling Program at the KU Business School and the participants who vigorously prepare and compete in this event each year. We are greatly looking forward to our competition in April of 2024 and beyond.”

Photo: Rachel Blake from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln pitches to a King’s Hawaiian representative in the speed-selling round of the 2023 KU Professional Selling Program/King’s Hawaiian Sales Competition.