Hunter Hartner and Halle Hartner of Belleville, Members of the K-State Sales Team, Participate in National Competition
The Kansas State University Sales Team competed in the Great Northwoods Sales Warm-Up, a national sales competition, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Four students participated in the competition from the K-State Sales Team, including Hunter Hartner of Belleville, a senior in professional strategic selling, and Halle Hartner of Belleville, a sophomore in professional strategic selling.
The competition was hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and included 69 students from 22 universities across the country competing in role-play events.
Hormel Foods was the main sponsor, and students focused on selling Justin's Super Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter and Espresso Almond Butter Cups through three rounds of role-playing scenarios. In the first round, the students showcased their sales skills by selling the product to United Natural Foods International, or UNFI. For the second round, students positioned the product to one of UNFI's retailers. For the third and final round, the top three students showcased their sales skills by selling the product to a retailer looking to expand their Justin's portfolio.
Hunter Hartner placed third overall in the competition. Halle Hartner placed 21st.
"I love this competition because it provides a unique experience for our students to sell a consumer goods food product while enhancing students' readiness for professional sales careers beyond graduation," said Kellie Jackson, marketing instructor and K-State Sales Team coach. "I would like to extend thanks to Hormel Foods for their ongoing partnership with this event and to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for facilitating this excellent event."
The K-State Sales Team is in the College of Business Administration's National Strategic Selling Institute, which has been named one of the top sales programs in the country for 12 straight years by the Sales Education Foundation. The team consists of students who are enrolled in the certificate or major in professional strategic selling.
In the fall of 2018, Kansas State became just the 19th university in the U.S. to offer a major in professional strategic selling. Students can also earn a certificate in professional strategic selling, which is open to all majors at the university. The professional strategic selling program introduces students to the fundamentals of sales, and the innovative curriculum and sales labs allow students to develop the skills needed to be successful.
The K-State Sales Team will be competing in several competitions across the country throughout the school year. For more information on the National Strategic Selling Institute or the K-State Sales Team, please contact kstatesalesprogram@k-state.edu.