11th Annual UToledo Invitational Sales Competition Kicks Off Thursday

11th Annual UToledo Invitational Sales Competition Kicks Off Thursday

Three dozen student teams from across the country will put their sales skills to the test at the 11th annual University of Toledo Invitational Sales Competition beginning Thursday, Feb. 19.

The John B. and Lillian E. Neff College of Business and Innovation's Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales hosts the annual undergraduate competition that challenges teams to "sell" a product in role-play scenarios with corporate and faculty judges. Students also earn points for their engagement in other elements of the three-day competition, including development sessions, networking opportunities, a career fair and more.

"Students and corporate sponsors both benefit from the variety of engagement opportunities at the UToledo Invitational Sales Competition," said Deirdre Jones, director of the Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales. "Because it is the first and only national sales competition exclusively for non-seniors, students enjoy ample opportunities to grow their skills early in their academic careers as competitors, alternates and peer coaches. Meanwhile, our sponsors are among the first to identify and engage with the nation's rising collegiate sales talent."

A record 144 students from colleges and universities as far as New Mexico and Utah are set to participate in the 2026 UToledo Invitational Sales Competition, which remains the first and only national sales competition to be certified by the University Sales Center Alliance.

Seventy-two students will actively compete on two-person teams of one freshman or sophomore and one junior. Each team will be challenged to "sell" corrugated packaging products, supplied by sponsor International Paper, in three rounds of role-play scenarios with corporate sponsors who will pose as potential clients involved in purchasing decisions within their organizations.

Winning teams and individuals will earn cash prizes.

The UToledo Invitational Sales Competition is the largest of several outreach events under the Neff College of Business' Edward H. Schmidt School of Professional Sales, which prepares undergraduate and graduate students for sales careers through top-notch faculty who bring industry experience and academic excellence to the classroom and a comprehensive curriculum that integrates real-world experience.

For more information, including a full schedule of daily events from Thursday, Feb. 19, through Saturday, Feb. 21, go to the UToledo Invitational Sales Competition website.