Elevator Pitch Competition

Elevator Pitch Finals:
February 28th, 2012
8:00 pm | Alumni Auditorium

Why enter this year's elevator pitch contest?

1. To learn essential communications and networking skills.
2. To gain self-confidence.
3. Maybe win some serious CASH!
   • Three $500 first prizes
   • $2700 total in cash prizes, plus valuable gift certificates
4. Sophomores and juniors: earn LEAD credit.
5. Have some FUN!

Get Ready To Pitch!

Champlain College's BYOBiz Program, Career Services, the Oral Communication Lab, the Center for Service & Civic Engagement, and the Office of Advancement collaborate to present the 5th Annual Elevator Pitch Competition. The contest requires participating students to give their 90-second "pitch" to an executive (dubbed the "suit") as they ride together in a fictional elevator. There are three categories of competition-entrepreneurs, job/internship seekers, and non-profit/social advocates. The event is patterned on a national competition and teaches students the importance of presenting a "big idea" as succinctly and convincingly as possible.

This year's "finals competition" will take place on stage at Champlain's Alumni Auditorium on Tuesday, February 28th, 2012, at 8:00 p.m. with alum Tim Kavanagh (of Late Night Saturday fame) as host. The event is open to all students (all years/all majors. Participants should plan to attend one of the Information Sessions, with dates to be announced.

There will be opportunities for contestants to schedule one-on-one or group coaching sessions with Eric Ronis and his dynamic team of student "coaches" at the Oral Communication Lab. Additional support and coaching is available from Bob Bloch, Director of the BYOBiz Program; Kyle Dodson, Director of the Center for Service & Civic Engagement; and Pat Boera, Career Services.

Cash Incentives

What's the incentive - besides learning an important life skill? Last year's winners in each category walked away with the top prizes of $500 (cash). KeyBank, lead sponsor of the 2008-2011 events, has promised these same cash awards for 2012. Second and third-place prizes of $300 and $100 will also be awarded.

E-Pitch applications may be completed online beginning in November or you may pick up a printed entry form from the BYOBiz Office (Wick Hall), Career Services (Durick Hall), the Center for Service (Skiff Annex) or from the Operations Managers of each academic division. Application Deadline: Friday, January 27th, 2012, 5:00 p.m. For further information about the Elevator Pitch Competition, contact:

LEAD Credit

Sophomores and Juniors: This year you can earn Career Management LEAD credit by participating in the Elevator Pitch Competition. To qualify, you must participate in an Elevator Pitch Information Session, at least one Coaching Session and compete in the Preliminary Round on February 21st. And who knows? You may win one of the cash prizes as well.

Bob Bloch, BYOBiz Program, rbloch@champlain.edu, (802 865-6490
Pat Boera, Career Services, boerap@champlain.edu, 651-5991