Champlain College's BYOBiz program, Career Services Office and Oral Communications Lab have teamed to present the first annual Elevator Pitch Contest. Champlain students will compete to see who can deliver the best 90-second pitch in an actual elevator to a "suit." The event will take place on stage at Champlain's Alumni Auditorium on Tuesday, March 25 at 8:30PM. The Elevator Pitch Contest is free and open to the public.

Key Bank president Scott Carpenter, Bill Shearer of Shearer Chevrolet, Laura Dagan of Dwight Asset Management and author and entrepreneur Terry Allen are among the judges who will participate in the event. Students will be judged on the content of their pitch as well as their delivery.

The whole event will run like one continuous lightning round with only very short breaks between contestants. Students pre-selected one of three categories for their pitch: entrepreneur, job/internship seeker, or non-profit/advocacy group. After the final elimination round, the winner in each category will receive $500. Second place winners will receive an iPod touch and third place winners an iPod Nano. Several door prizes will also be awarded.

Key Bank is the lead sponsor of this event with promotional support by Small Dog Electronics.

Posted 03/21/08