2020 AMA International Collegiate Conference
New Orleans, LA
Wednesday, March 11
Early Registration
Whether you’re participating in a Thursday morning activity or just want to beat the rush, pick up your badge Wednesday afternoon!
Thursday, March 12
Conference Registration
Come check-in, get your badge, program guide at-a-glance and more information on the event.
SABRE Business Simulation
The SABRE Business Simulation takes place at the AMA International Collegiate Conference. SABRE provides the framework which immerses the participants in a dynamic, competitive situation. Teams may add and withdraw products from the marketplace as well as advertise, price, distribute and design those products to best fit varying market segments.
Registration opens at 12pm on February 5. This competition is B.Y.O.Laptop. Learn more here.
Case Competition Finals sponsored by Cotton Incorporated
Chapter Exhibit Setup
Confirmed chapters must send at least one representative to check-in by 12:00 pm or risk losing your space in the competition.
AMA Digital Marketing Bootcamp
An extra fee of $25 is required for this session.
This engaging, interactive and immersive session will not only equip you with the latest thinking in digital marketing strategy, but it will also prepare you to become an AMA Professional Certified Marketer® in Digital Marketing. Adding the letters P-C-M behind your name shows you’re serious about making a difference in the industry and this boot camp is a great first step in making it happen.
Registration has hit capacity for 2020 but a waitlist may be offered onsite.
Student Poster Session
We are continuing our student poster session, which is a great way for your peers to showcase their research. Support your student peers and stop by, check out their posters, and ask questions! Research posters shown will include topics in the field of marketing, market analysis, market research, positioning maps, and more.
New Faculty Advisor Workshop
For new faculty advisors: Get tips from the pros on being the best advisor you can be!
What to Expect at the Conference
Whether this is your first time or you’ve attended the AMA International Collegiate Conference in the past, we have so much to share with you! We have an exciting, educational and fun weekend planned, with a wide variety of choices. Join us for this quick session that will explain the schedule and we’ll recommend some of the “can’t miss” activities happening this weekend, and talk about the new changes for 2020.
Presidents' Council Roundtables
Social Scramble & T-Shirt Exchange
Taking a new look this year!
Faculty Advisor Reception
Opening Kick-Off and Keynote
How to Score Your Dream Job AND Change the World
Meredith Ferguson, Managing Director of DoSomething Strategic, is excited to share her professional journey with you. She’s been instrumental in helping it grow into the organization it is today with 5 million members in 131 countries, empowering young people to change their local communities and their world in a big way. Join her in learning about how you, too, can use your power to take action on the causes you’re passionate about.
Meredith Ferguson
Managing Director, DoSomething Strategic
Chapter Exhibits & T-Shirt Competition
The Collegiate Chapter Exhibits Competition, sponsored by PPAI, is a can’t-miss highlight of the AMA International Collegiate Conference. These exhibits, presented in trade show fashion by AMA collegiate chapters, give chapters an opportunity to be creative and show off their accomplishments. Fellow students, as well as guest judges, will select the winners!
Learn more and enter your chapter exhibit here.
Chapters are encouraged to design a chapter t-shirt that represents their chapter or university spirit. Students will have the opportunity to exchange t-shirts with fellow AMA chapters and enter to compete in the Chapter T-Shirt Competition, sponsored by PPAI.
Students are encouraged to bring as many chapter or school shirts as they would like to exchange, and also bring one to display for the t-shirt competition. The chapter that designs the winning t-shirt wins a reserved table, front and center, at the Saturday ICC awards banquet! This is a great way to get to know other conference attendees as well as getting some cool shirts.
Friday, March 13
Career Advice Panel
Marketing Strategy Competition (AM Session)
The Marketing Strategy Competition takes place at the AMA International Collegiate Conference. We level the playing field for all schools, big and small, to challenge your wit, speed and presentation skills.
This one is all using your knowledge and experience to react quickly to come up with a case solution.
Online registration for both the morning and afternoon sessions opens February 5, 2020 at 12PM CST.
Each AMA chapter is allowed one team for the entire competition. That means one team of up to two students may register for either the AM or PM session, but not both AM or PM sessions. Should a team from your University register for both, the last team to register will be canceled. Please plan together with your chapter members before registering only ONE TEAM from your chapter for this competition.
Perfect Pitch Competition
Must be registered and confirmed prior to conference.
The 200+ individuals who signed up pre-conference will be competing in this fast-paced pitch competition. While not truly a sales-specific role-play, the AMA Perfect Pitch Competition is a 90 second interview in which you position yourself as being “right for the job.”
This is a skill that every marketing professional needs to develop. Like an elevator pitch competition, your goal is to provide 2-3 key selling points why you are an ideal candidate and then supporting these qualifications with examples. The end goal is to close the deal and get hired!
A Final Round will take place Saturday morning, with the winner and top-performing students announced at the Saturday Awards Banquet.
Faculty Paper Sessions
Faculty sessions will consist of refereed paper presentations based on submission of extended abstracts that have been accepted.
All papers will undergo a double-blind review process. Accepted papers will be published digitally in on the AMA website.
Career & Leadership Pop-Up Workshops
New for 2020!
Learn valuable skills from marketing practitioners that can be applied in both the workplace and within your chapters. A collection of eight 25-minute sessions will cover several topics, including conflict resolution, personal branding, and Clifton StrengthsFinder.
Matt Schaeffer
Marketing Strategy Manager, Cambia Health Solutions
Jennifer Schultz
Director of Marketing and Communications, University of Nebraska Foundation
Career Fair
Experience Speaks! Concurrent Session #1
The Power of Social Media in Building a Brand! – Amanda Nighbert
Agency Life: Real Stories of Failure & Success – Jess Reilly
The Power of a Career Pivot – Katie Fabry
Making a Difference via Marketing Leadership – Neil Golden
Amanda Nighbert
Founder, LEAN with Amanda
Jess Reilly
Senior Vice President, Marketing Services, Rebel Interactive Group
Sam Joffray
Senior Vice President of Communications, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation
Katie Fabry
Senior Marketing Manager, Student Memberships, The Wall Street Journal
Neil Golden
Faculty, Northwestern Medill IMC and Former Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald's USA
Experience Speaks! Concurrent Session #2
See app for specific session details.
Amanda Nighbert
Founder, LEAN with Amanda
Jess Reilly
Senior Vice President, Marketing Services, Rebel Interactive Group
Sam Joffray
Senior Vice President of Communications, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation
Katie Fabry
Senior Marketing Manager, Student Memberships, The Wall Street Journal
Neil Golden
Faculty, Northwestern Medill IMC and Former Chief Marketing Officer, McDonald's USA
Sales Competition
This International Sales Competition and lunch is open only to attendees who pre-registered for the Sales Competition and received confirmation prior to the Conference.
Finalists will advance to Saturday morning, and winners will be announced at the Saturday Awards Banquet.
Faculty Luncheon/Table Topics
Lunch
Marketing Strategy Competition (PM Session)
SABRE Recap
Cam Tipping will discuss the SABRE Business Simulation competition that took place on Thursday. Everyone is welcome to learn more about SABRE for next year’s competition and the world of competitive market simulations. Plus, the winners will be announced!
Leading Your Chapter to Success Session
You will get the opportunity to hear from other top collegiate chapter leaders on best practices around the following topics:
- Becoming a Top Chapter
- Chapter Plan and Annual Report
- Chapter Operations and Planning
- Membership Recruitment and Retention
- Successful Communications Strategies
- Creating a Successful Marketing Week
Leading Your Chapter to Success Concurrent Session
You will get the opportunity to hear from other top collegiate chapter leaders on best practices around the following topics:
- Tips from Platinum Circle Chapters
- Enhancing Professional Development
- Case Competition Workshop
- Community & Social Impact
- Become a Top Small Chapter
- Fundraising
Afternoon Career Panel: Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace
Competitions Awards Ceremony and Keynote
Kim will share her personal journey during a 25-year career at Cotton Incorporated from analytics to marketing and pass on the lessons she’s learned. Looking forward, she’ll then discuss the rapid rate of change in the marketing industry and take a glimpse into the future to see what may be awaiting aspiring marketing professionals.
Kim Kitchings
Senior Vice President, Consumer Marketing, Cotton Incorporated
Saturday, March 14
Continental Breakfast
Faculty Advisor Breakfast with Collegiate Chapters Council
Perfect Pitch Competition Finals
Marketing Strategy Competition Finals
AMA Sales Competition Finals
Experience Speaks! Concurrent Session #1
Journeys and Pivots – Sabir Semerkant
E-Commerce Success Playbook – Sabir Semerkant
What is a traditional career path, anyway? – Drew West and Melissa Minneci
Marketing Yourself in a New Era (get in touch with Stacy!) – Stacy Armijo
Vanessa Torres
Assistant Vice President, Enrollment Management, Texas A&M University - San Antonio
Stacy Armijo
Chairperson, AMA Board of Directors and Chief Experience Officer, Amplify Credit Union
Kirby Hasseman
CEO, Hasseman Marketing & Communications
RJ Thompson
Associate Director of Student Engagement in the College of Business Administration, University of Pittsburgh
Sabir Semerkant
Strategic Advisor, SharkTank
Drew West
General Manager of Global Academic Partnerships, The Trade Desk
Melissa Minneci
Global Academic Partnerships & Programs, The Trade Desk
Experience Speaks! Concurrent Session #2
See app for session details.
Vanessa Torres
Assistant Vice President, Enrollment Management, Texas A&M University - San Antonio
Stacy Armijo
Chairperson, AMA Board of Directors and Chief Experience Officer, Amplify Credit Union
Kirby Hasseman
CEO, Hasseman Marketing & Communications
RJ Thompson
Associate Director of Student Engagement in the College of Business Administration, University of Pittsburgh
Sabir Semerkant
Strategic Advisor, SharkTank
Drew West
General Manager of Global Academic Partnerships, The Trade Desk
Melissa Minneci
Global Academic Partnerships & Programs, The Trade Desk
Preparing the Winning Case Entry
The winning Case presentation will be presented immediately after a brief introduction- don’t miss it!
Sales & Marketing Roundtables
This on-site component of the AMA Sales & Marketing Roundtables offers students the opportunity to connect and network in small groups with sales and marketing professionals around topics related to sales, career development, and various marketing hot topics.
Lunch will be provided for confirmed participants and there will be an open networking session to connect with the professional small group facilitators. There is no charge for this program, but you must register (opening January 29) in order to participate!
Note: This event conflicts with the Marketplace Simulation on Saturday afternoon.
Marketplace Business Simulation
Start up a new marketing division for a large, international company. Your goal? Launch a revolutionary new product line.
Test your marketing skills in this unknown market. Can you satisfy demanding customers, beat aggressive competitors, and earn big bucks in this innovative marketing simulation?
Let the battle for world domination begin.
Chapter Awards Banquet
Join the Collegiate Chapters Council as they present awards to the AMA Collegiate Chapters for excellent work completed during the year. The recipients of the International Chapter of the Year, Top Small Chapters, Student Marketer of the Year, USCA Sales Student of the Year, AMA International Sales Competition, Marketing Strategy Competition, Hugh G. Wales Faculty Advisor of the Year Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award will also be announced.
Doors open at 5:00 PM. Dinner Buffet closes at 7:00 PM.
Business or evening attire required.
Case Competition Sponsor
Platinum Sponsors
Perfect Pitch Competition
Sales Competition Sponsor
Outbound Sales Competition
Simulation Sponsors
Sponsors
Career Fair Sponsors
What is the dress code for the conference?
Thursday, March 12
- Chapter Casual (chapter t-shirts, jeans, sneakers, etc.)
Friday, March 13
- Business Casual (no jeans, shorts or sneakers)
Saturday, March 14
- Daytime: Business Casual
- Saturday Awards Banquet: Semi-Formal
What meals will be covered at the conference?
- Friday: Coffee/tea in the morning, lunch buffet
- Saturday: Continental breakfast, banquet dinner
How can I register multiple attendees?
You can register multiple attendees with one payment by submitting this form to our AMA Support Center team. We will contact you to confirm we received your request and arrange for payment. You will not be charged when submitting this form.
Is WI-FI available?
High-speed internet for email and browsing is complementary in your guest room for up to three devices. For enhanced high-speed internet for video chat, large file downloads and video streaming (for up to three devices), a fee of $16.95 per day will be charged to your room account. Rooms must be reserved in the AMA room block to take advantage of the complimentary internet.
How do I sign up for competitions at the conference?
Registration for all the on-site competitions occurs in the months leading up to the conference. To find out more information about what competitions are happening and how to register, please visit our awards and competitions page for more details.
How do I access the conference app?
Follow this link. You can also go into Google Play or the App Store and search “American Marketing Association”. Download the app with the navy blue and white AMA logo. Once open, search for “Collegiate” and “AMA 2020 International Collegiate Conference” should appear. Click “Get this guide” and it will open.