SFA’s Rusche College of Business to co-host Regional Fall Student American Marketing Association Conference

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Students in Stephen F. Austin State University’s American Marketing Association student chapter and the University of Houston Downtown are co-hosting the Regional Fall Student AMA Conference from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, in the McGee Business Building on the SFA campus.

The conference offers students an opportunity to compete in marketing and sales competitions as well as listen to guest speakers. All students, regardless of their major, are welcome to attend this free conference.

“This conference will give students an advantage as they pursue their careers. It will expose them to professional speakers from the industry as well as provide them an opportunity to compete and sharpen their skills,” said Dr. Marlene Kahla, SFA professor in the Rusche College of Business’ Department of Management and Marketing.

During the conference, participants will be able to compete in either the marketing strategy competition, where teams will form a marketing plan and analyze the client’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, or the salesmanship competition, where teams will create a sales pitch to sell their client to judges.

Registration for conference competitions will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the McGee Business Building, Room 133.

Additionally, participants will hear from various guest speakers, including Nacogdoches Mayor Shelley Brophy.

Jim Iyoob, chief customer officer of Etech Global Services, will discuss the vision for the industry for the next five years from 9:25 to 9:50 a.m., and Garret Altier, marketing coordinator for SFA’s Department of Athletics, will present “Selecting the Right First Job” and discuss how to evaluate job offers from 10 to 10:20 a.m.

Also, Maci Dover, director of marketing for Whataburger, will speak about preparing for a career from 10 to 10:20 a.m. Stephanie Schubert, Texas region recruiter for Hajoca, will talk with students about how to build a résumé and prepare for interviews from 11 to 11:20 a.m.

Excel ER and SFA’s Center for Career and Professional Development will have information tables set up in the McGee Business Building.

For more information, contact Kahla at (936) 468-4103 or mkahla@sfasu.edu.