The UW-Eau Claire American Marketing Association case team has been named as one of the top 10 finalists in the AMA International Collegiate Case Competition. This is the third year in a row the team has been named in the top 10 finalists.

The team will go to nationals April 10-12 in New Orleans where they will present their Hershey’s Take Five pitch to Hershey’s executives.

The top 10 teams attending nationals are British Columbia Institute of Technology, Cleveland State University (Ohio), Ferris State University (Mich.), North Central College (Ill.), Temple University (Penn.), Texas State University, University of Arizona, University of Maryland, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Phillip Dickinson, vice president of finance, explained the work that went into preparing the pitch last semester.

“There was a lot of research and we recorded what other people’s opinions were,” Dickinson said. ”From there we were able to go forward and make a plan to what consumers would want.”

 It’s the first time these individuals will go to nationals, but the past case study teams have gone three years in a row.

Each member of the team said going to nationals can present a lot of different opportunities for their futures. If Hershey executives like their ideas to advertise the Hershey Take Five it could be part a nationwide advertisement. Senior Megan Lipari looks forward to all the different opportunities she will have at nationals.

“It’s a great chance to put myself out there,” Lipari said. “It is very rewarding. As the case team we worked very hard.”

The group submitted their ideas in early December and they found out the results in mid-January. Senior Katie Hammel was surprised when they received results, because there were so many applicants.

“We were all surprised this year. They had a lot of applicants for cases, so our chances of advancing were less than they would have been compared to last year,” Hammel said. “We were shocked.”

The team’s slant on the Hershey Take Five is to make it better known, because not many know about it. A lot of the work went into researching in the beginning of last semester. A big part of it was looking at when people eat chocolate most.

Due to nationals still being a couple months away, they cannot release much information about their plan. Until April they will continue to improve their plan by altering the details, going more in-depth and polishing up their presentation.

Vice president of activities, Michael Boucher said he has big hopes for nationals and is very excited to be attending.

“It means a lot to me and it gives us an opportunity to represent Eau Claire,” Boucher said.

Besides being able to present their idea to Hershey executives, team members said the trip is a huge opportunity for each individual’s future. There will be a career conference and many of people from both the U.S. and Canada.

For senior Nate Guralski this is his first year being part of the AMA. Joining AMA was one of the best decisions he said he feels he made in college.

“It’s really rewarding, we put a lot of hard work in and it’s paying off,” Guralski said. “I like a challenge, and it really is both a mental and physical challenge.”

All five members of the team said they are looking forward to the opportunities that can possibly come with attending nationals.

DISCLAIMER: Nate Guralski is the sales representative for The Spectator.