Once again, College of Business Administration students proved to be a marketing powerhouse, receiving recognition as a “Superior Chapter” at the 32nd annual American Marketing Association (AMA) International Collegiate Conference held recently in New Orleans, Louisiana.
More than 1,300 attendees representing more than 300 AMA collegiate chapters participated in the AMA conference. The event provides an intensive marketing experience encompassing professional guest speakers, a career fair and networking opportunities. Eighteen students from Florida International University (FIU) participated—and returned with an impressive number of awards.
FIU now ranks second within the AMA collegiate division, having been listed among the top eight participating colleges for eight consecutive years.
“I continue to be amazed at the high caliber of work our students bring to the competition, given all the important things that fill their schedules, such as excelling in their classes and working full-time jobs,” said Tim Dugan Birrittella, Department of Marketing lecturer and AMA faculty advisor. “It’s an honor to work with such wonderful students.”
Drum roll please: FIU AMA chapter president named “Student Marketer of the Year.”
For the first time, this year’s AMA Collegiate Conference featured a competition for “Student Marketer of the Year.” A panel of student peers awarded this honor to Emory Pinto (BBA ’10), president of the college’s AMA chapter, based on his service to the AMA along with demonstrated leadership, commitment to the community and academic excellence.
“We are extremely proud of Emory,” Birrittella said. “The competition for this recognition was keen, including strong challenges from candidates from other leading business colleges, including the Wharton Business School.”
Pinto is thrilled to receive the recognition.
“I think the fact that I was selected by my peers is the most exciting part,” he said. “I am also happy that FIU took this one. We’re bringing the college up to a whole new playing field, winning among top competitors and drawing more attention to our excellent business and marketing programs.”
2010 AMA International Collegiate Conference
FIU AMA Student Chapter Recognition and Participation Overview
| Awards won in competition categories |
Activity |
Student chapter participants |
| Collegiate Exhibit Competition:
Best Educational Value—2nd place |
Collegiate Exhibit: Think Outside the Box—In with the Old and Out with the New | All FIU AMA student chapter attendees |
| Fundraising:Honorable Mention | UNICEF Fundraising Challenge | All FIU AMA student chapter members led by Giancarlo Russo, chapter executive vice president |
| Top Three Events | Philanthropic efforts in the AMA Saves Lives campaign: FIU event encouraging students to learn more about organ donation, featuring original 30-second short video clips (http://go.fiu.edu/2da) |
Event led by Joni Deckert, vice president, membership and secretary
Presented at the conference by Damaris Aguilar, then Miss Hialeah USA 2010 and now Miss Miami |
| Additional competition categories |
Activity |
Student |
| NW Mutual Sales Competition | Mock sales presentation on personalized golf balls | Laura Dettinger |
| SABRE Business Simulation | Dynamic competitive environment created by SABRE where student teams add and withdraw products from the marketplace and also advertise, price, distribute and design products to best fit varying market segments |
Janell Benzaquen, Issa Chavez, Miguel Lugo, Angelica Pierini, Albert Urbina and Juan Zambrano |
| UNICEF TAP Project Case Competition | Students working together on a problem that typifies a real-world working marketing situation, giving case competition sponsor direct contact with the very best marketing students | Miguel Lugo, vice president, professional development; Giancarlo Russo |
| Presentations | Topic |
Student |
| Employability
Innovation |
Results of nationwide survey of AMA faculty advisors to learn innovative methods employed to make students more marketable | Miguel Lugo |
| How to Host a Successful Regional Conference | Tips on hosting a successful regional conference based on FIU AMA chapter’s experience gained from hosting the Florida regional AMA conference in November 2009 | Giancarlo Russo |
| Nightmare Luncheon | Skit presented during student Career Corner lunch humorously showcasing what NOT to do during a business lunch | Alexa Alvarez, vice president, philanthropy; Joni Deckert; Michael Delgado; Gregory Jean-Francois; Elea Hakoun; and Anabella Mowbray, vice president, social networking |
