Florida Atlantic’s Historic Success at 2024 AMA Conference

Florida Atlantic’s student chapter of the American Marketing Association earned the most awards in chapter history at the annual AMA International Collegiate Conference: READY TO LAUNCH, which took place April 11-13, 2024 in New Orleans. Eleven FAU students, along with their AMA faculty advisor, Eileen Acello, and support advisor, Dr. Denise Gravatt, joined a record number of 1500 participants from among 350+ chapters across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico.

The AMA-zing FAU students earned awards for fall competitions in two video categories: Outstanding for “Best Social Impact” video, and Honorable Mention for  “Best Recruitment” video. They also received “Exemplary Collegiate Chapter Performance in Fundraising” recognition.

For the Case Competition, FAU received an Honorable Mention out of the 74 participating chapters, for its Commit Today. Transform Tomorrow campaign.  During the fall semester, students in the Marketing Strategy Case Competition spent time researching and collecting primary and secondary data on the sustainable marketing case, sponsored by the Sheth Foundation. Earning this recognition is a high honor as students competed against chapters from University of Pennsylvania and Temple University.

Faculty advisor Professor Acello shared her thoughts: "Witnessing our students’ achievements this year fills me with immense pride. Their dedication, creativity, and resilience have set a new benchmark for our chapter,” she said. “Their success is not just an honor for our chapter but an inspiration for the entire FAU community."

The spring competitions took place in-person at the conference for attending students, and FAU students competed in the Pitch Perfect Competition sponsored and judged by Insight Global, the AMA Sales Competition, sponsored by Sherwin Williams, the Marketplace Simulations Competition, and the Inaugural ICC Design Lab Marketing Challenge. This year, our AMA support advisor, Dr. Denise Gravatt  represented FAU at the judges’ tables for three competitions.

The New Design Lab Marketing Challenge was co-created by FAU’s Eileen Acello along with fellow ICC Council Member Myra Perez, AMA Advisor for University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras. In the 1.5 hour engaging live experiential session, 32 teams competed against each other to design and create a two-page marketing strategy plan for the Downtown Development District of New Orleans, to support its efforts of reenergizing its local downtown businesses.

In between competitions and workshops, where students learned more about upcoming marketing trends, artificial intelligence, and career advice, they also had opportunities to network with hiring companies like Google, Bloomberg, Mattel, Inc. Sherwin Williams, and more. Keynote speakers included Chris Epple, Vice President of Marketing at HARMAN International, and Bennie Johnson, CEO of the American Marketing Association.

“I am proud that I attended this year’s AMA ICC representing Florida Atlantic. At the conference, I competed in the Marketing Simulation competition and attended several discussion panels and presentations. Not only did I learn a lot of valuable information from some of the leaders of the Marketing Industry, but throughout the weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting and networking with many like-minded and ambitious marketing students from all over the country.”

~Cameron Speed, FAU AMA Treasurer (2023-2024) - Graduating Senior

“This year, thanks to the dedication of our exceptional executive board and the collective efforts of our members, the FAU American Marketing Association has achieved notable recognition at the International Collegiate Conference. Looking ahead, I eagerly anticipate participating as a panel member for the annual alumni event during marketing week, as well as continuing to support the FAU American Marketing Association and AMA in my professional chapter.”

~ Hannah Garner, FAU AMA Co-president (2023-2024) - Graduating Senior

From attending insightful sessions on leadership, AI, fundraising, and more, to competing in the Perfect Pitch and Design Lab Marketing Challenge, and spending all free time networking, every moment was a learning opportunity! We dove deep into discussions, exchanged ideas with over 1,500 students and gained invaluable experience that will shape our futures. Beyond the competitions, it was the connections made and the vibrant energy of the city that made this trip truly unforgettable.”                                           

~Olivia Silamba, FAU AMA Co-president (2024-2025)

Reflecting on the chapter's journey and its success to date, Hong Yuan, Ph.D., Chair of FAU’s Marketing Department commented, "The relentless efforts of our students and the visionary guidance of their faculty advisor, Professor Acello, have truly paid off and are a testament to their hard work. We aim to continue this year’s successful trajectory and leverage the momentum to achieve even more in the future."

-FAU-