The University of Arizona Eller College of Management is pleased to host the annual Arizona Statewide Business School Case Competition (ABCC) on Thursday, March 20 through Friday, March 21.

The ABCC is a prestigious event designed exclusively for business school students from Arizona’s three state universities—The W.A. Franke College of Business at Northern Arizona University, the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona.

This event serves to provide a professional networking opportunity for students at these schools as well as an opportunity to showcase their business acumen, problem-solving skills and teamwork abilities while tackling real-world business challenges. The ABCC, which rotates among the three universities, serves to increase statewide collaboration to potentially address current and future business challenges across the state.

The case study competition begins at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 20 upon student arrival. It will continue Friday, March 21 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Student participation includes two divisions—Graduate and Undergraduate. Students will be permitted to work with each other, judges and deans, sharing insights from a world of perspectives.

Each team will receive a case study related to a contemporary business issue. They will then be given time to assess and analyze the case, develop comprehensive solutions and create a presentation. Their presentation to the panel of judges will also include a question-and-answer session.

Teams will be evaluated on:

                -Analysis and understanding of the case problem

                -Creativity and innovation in proposing solutions

                -Feasibility and practicality of proposed solutions

                -Quality of the presentation—including communication skills, visual aids and organization

                -Ability to respond to questions effectively

Prizes will be awarded in each division, including:

                1^st Place —Each member of the winning team will receive $500 and a plaque

                2^nd Place—Each member of the second place team will receive $250 and a plaque

                3^rd Place—Each member of the third place team will receive $100 and a plaque   

All students will receive participation certificates and fun mementos of the experience.

Additional student activities include:

                -Networking sessions with industry professionals and potential employers

                -Keynote speeches by influential business leaders

-Social events to encourage interaction and collaboration among participants (such as a luncheon and professional development workshops)

Tetakawi serves as the sponsor of this year’s ABCC. For more about this event, visit eller.arizona.edu/ABCC.

For more about the Eller College of Management, visit eller.arizona.edu.