UW-Whitewater retains AMA International Chapter of the Year title for 11th straight year

May 10, 2022

A long-standing tradition of hard work and achievement was on full display this spring as participants in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s American Marketing Association chapter retained top-tier placement in a competitive event.

UW-Whitewater AMA students retained the AMA International Chapter of the Year or Platinum Circle title for the 11th consecutive year at the International Collegiate Conference, held March 17-19 in Chicago.

This year, AMA students Harrison Henry and Ashley Hoffman tied for first place in the AMA National Sales Championship. Joe Banish took second place in the specific category, and Ethan Zgorzelski received third place.

UW-Whitewater students also earned first place in the AMA Giving Tuesday competition and second-place in the Best Recruitment Competition, third-place in the International Case Competition and fourth-place in the Sabre Business Simulation Competition. Additionally, student Madison Niezgoda earned a second-place finish in the AMA National Virtual Perfect Pitch Competition.

The latest string of individual and collective successes comes on the heels of a proud legacy within UW-Whitewater. AMA students on campus have consistently had strong showings at the annual competition, as evidenced by the 18 total times the chapter has defended the Chapter of the Year or Platinum Circle title.

Andy Dahl, AMA advisor and assistant professor of marketing, speaks to the chapter’s success from several vantage points. Dahl, a UW-Whitewater graduate, was involved in the AMA as a student prior to joining the faculty.

“There’s a culture here that’s been built and established over time,” said Dahl, who this year took on the role of the chapter’s managing advisor. “Part of that is the legacy of other advisors that came before me and really helped continue to push the boundaries.”

Unlike most universities, Dahl said UW-Whitewater’s AMA chapter differentiates itself by welcoming students across campus, in all majors. Most chapters, by contrast, solely have marketing students.

“Our students have consistently been very engaged, even over the last couple of years as things have been primarily virtual,” Dahl said. “The students help support and coach one another. They help build off the skill sets of the students that come before them. They set high bars. They want to continue our streak.”

Henry, a sophomore marketing major from Sussex, said he decided to join the AMA this year as he sought opportunities to get plugged in on campus. The first-place recognition he recently received with Hoffman was described as the culmination of a satisfying year.

Prior to enrolling at UW-Whitewater, Henry received a glimpse of sales as he worked in a management role at a Von Maur department store. As he has worked toward a degree at UW-Whitewater, Henry said his career goals have been solidified.

“What’s a privilege is we have a bunch of sponsors and corporate partners who offer internships and are very eager to fill full-time positions for students, post-college,” Henry said. “I definitely see myself in a sales role.”

 

Pictured is Ashley Hoffman, preparing for the AMA National Sales Championship in Chicago.

 

Hoffman, a senior marketing major from Medford, has solidified her post-graduation plans. She has accepted a job as a technical recruiter at a staffing agency in Schaumburg, Illinois. She credits her three years with the AMA for helping chart the course she is embarking on after she receives her diploma.

The prospect of joining the AMA first bubbled up to the surface for Hoffman when a friend encouraged her to attend a meeting. Recruitment initiatives across campus furthered piqued her interest.

“I decided to go to one of the meetings and check it out. From there on, I fell in love and got involved,” Hoffman said. “AMA has changed my life for the better. I feel like it has put me on a path toward success.”