{"id":45847,"date":"2022-04-26T19:30:09","date_gmt":"2022-04-27T00:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bemidjistate.edu\/news\/?p=45847"},"modified":"2022-04-28T11:32:23","modified_gmt":"2022-04-28T16:32:23","slug":"bsu-students-pitch-product-ideas-to-local-entrepreneurs-during-mock-trade-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bemidjistate.edu\/news\/2022\/04\/26\/bsu-students-pitch-product-ideas-to-local-entrepreneurs-during-mock-trade-show\/","title":{"rendered":"Students Pitch Products to Entrepreneurs During Mock Trade Show"},"content":{"rendered":"

On April 20 Bemidji State University students taking marketing classes with Dr. Angie Kovarik, assistant professor of business administration,<\/a> held a mock trade show at Bemidji’s entrepreneurial support center, the LaunchPad.<\/p>\n

In place of its weekly Entrepreneur Meet-Up, the LaunchPad invited entrepreneurs and members of the Bemidji community to explore student’s academic work in trade show-style booths where they pitched their products.<\/p>\n

\"Students<\/a>
L-R: Skylar Tillery & Alaina Hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Though normally an annual event, this year’s trade show was the first since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. Kovarik said the event is an opportunity for students to showcase their original product ideas using marketing concepts.<\/p>\n

“The mock trade show benefits students by giving them networking and presentation experience,” she said. “It helps them hone in on soft skills.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Student groups engaged in a friendly competition sponsored by Entrepreneur Meet-Up members for best presentation.<\/p>\n

The Sip Saver, a bracelet that can detect if your drink has been spiked with a drug, received the Best Overall award. The product idea was developed by Macy Strandlien, a marketing communication freshman from Shevlin, Minnesota, Spencer Shaver, an exercise science junior from Savage, Minnesota, and Daeja Nylund, a business administration freshman from Baxter, Minnesota.<\/p>\n

\"Students<\/a>
L-R: Deaja NyLund, Macy Strandlien, Rachel Munson, assistant director of communications and marketing, and Nancy Haugen, associate director of career services.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“The Sip Saver is a bracelet for men and women that helps reduce drug-induced sexual assault,” Strandlien said. “We wanted to create something that was very practical and discreet – available for everyday use so you never forget it.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Student winners received gift cards and bluetooth speakers provided by the LaunchPad.<\/p>\n

Additional product ideas included:<\/strong><\/p>\n