Business competition celebrates three decades
The oldest and largest case competition in the world, the John Molson School of Business MBA International Case Competition, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
From January 3 to 8 Concordia will welcome hundreds of students from 36 universities from around the globe to Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel (900 René-Lévesque Blvd. W).
Teams will battle live to develop and propose solutions for real-life challenges faced by major companies. The exercise will allow participants to sharpen their presentation skills and showcase their business savvy under the watchful eyes of judges recruited from top corporations. ??
Last year, students developed strategies for the legendary Montreal Canadiens hockey franchise as it moved into its second century of operation. Team owner Geoff Molson was a guest speaker.
Each team will be vying for the Concordia Cup, a cheque for $10,000 and the prestige of being ranked among the world’s finest business students.
For a second year, organizers are ensuring sustainability measures are taken: materials and methods have been chosen to reduce overall waste production; much of the food served will be locally sourced, fair-trade and organic; and the Queen Elizabeth was chosen as a venue once again for its position as a model of corporate responsibility within the hospitality industry.
Organizers will also be fundraising during the week for the charity Lights for Life, a non-profit organization that provides durable, rechargeable LED lighting to some of the world’s poorest children with no access to electricity.
In many cases, these children must focus on chores and survival during daylight hours, and with no light after sunset, they are unable to study. The lights are charged with hand cranks or solar panels and can replace kerosene lamps, reducing pollution.
“We thought we should partner with a charity organization that is in line with what Concordia is about and do something good for people who are less fortunate,” says Concordia MBA student Carolyn Crewe, Marketing Executive Assistant for the competition. “It makes sense. We’re an educational facility and it’s cool to be able to help other students.”
Spectators are welcome to attend. “You’re going to see people under duress. They have to perform well and deliver. If you want to see MBA students at their best, this is definitely an opportunity,” says Crewe.
Related links:
• JMSB MBA International Case Competition
• Lights for Life
• U of Calgary takes MBA case comp crown – Concordia Journal, January 14, 2010
• Concordia wins 25th case competition – Concordia Journal, January 12, 2006
• John Molson School of Business