Business Challenge Seeking Company Advisors

Would you like the opportunity to have one of the best professional and personal growth experiences in North Dakota?

Business Challenge is currently seeking Company Advisors for the 2010 program, scheduled June 13-18.

Company Advisors guide high school participants throughout the week, and share their knowledge and experience while addressing business issues in candid, informal discussions. They also serve as mentors to the University Students who also attend the program.

Business Challenge is a 501(c)(3) organization, and your commitment of time will be credited as a $2,000 donation to our program.

If you are interested in becoming a Company Advisor, or if you would like more information on this exciting opportunity, please contact Katie Mehrer at 701-483-2515 by Friday, May 21st.

Business Challenge Early-Bird Special Extended!

The Business Challenge Early-Bird Registration deadline has been extended until Thursday, May 6th! Sign-up TODAY at www.gobusinesschallenge.com to receive the discounted rate of only $125! Hurry, space is limited!

For only $125 students can earn ½ credit for high school while participating in the following activities:
• Dance
• Keynote Speaker – Eddie Slowikowski (watch video … http://www.youtube.com/user/evenslow )
• Trip to Medora, ND & the Medora Musical (includes backstage tour)
• ND Trivia and Music Trivia competitions
• Quiz Bowl
• Pizza party
• Networking opportunities
• Music entertainment by Quintana Biffert and Mylo Hatzenbuhler
• And MORE!

The $125 registration fee covers all housing, meals, snacks, pop, t-shirt, Medora Musical Ticket…everything!
But, it only last until May 6th, so register ASAP!!!!

Business Challenge announces speaker and 2010 dates

Business Challenge 2010 is pleased to announce this year’s keynote speaker, Eddie Slowikowski, a world-class runner and an internationally known Speaker/Trainer. Business Challenge is a week-long summer business camp that will be held at Dickinson State University and historic Medora June 13-18 (high school student track), June 12-18 (university student track) and June 13-16 (educator track). Slowikowski will be the opening speaker for the 2010 program.

In over 18 years of speaking, Eddie Slowikowski has found a way to combine the high energy of his competitive running years with a service to community. Some of Eddie’s accomplishments include becoming a 5-time All American in Track & Cross Country at Loyola University Chicago, U.S.A. Gold Medal winner at International Competition in London, England and the fastest college indoor mile (3 minutes 58 seconds) in the nation in 1990. A self-made businessman, Eddie once again sets the pace – this time in the world of professional speaking.

“Business Challenge is an exciting summer program that is about preparing for the future. Participants learn about teamwork, leadership and setting real-life goals,” said Katie Mehrer, Business Challenge coordinator. “No other program gives students such a unique, hands-on learning experience about the world of business. It’s intense, fun, and energizing.”

More than 7,800 high school students and educators have attended Business Challenge, which is now in its 33rd year. Business Challenge teaches students the fundamentals of business and entrepreneurship. In addition, high school students earn one-half of a credit on their high school transcripts, compete in competitions and learn fundamental skills required in any career. Educators earn 2-3 reduced-fee graduate credits, exchange ideas for classroom use and network with fellow teachers. University students can earn 3 credits for the week and experience hands-on learning, build entrepreneurial knowledge and develop critical thinking skills.

“Business Challenge helps businesses create an educated work force that understands economic development and what companies need from their employees. North Dakota benefits because participants are made aware of business opportunities that exist in the state,” Mehrer said.

Cost for North Dakota high school students and educators is $175, which includes meals, housing, curriculum materials and events. Cost for out-of-state students is $200. However, participants can save $50 by taking advantage of the early bird special and registering before April 30, 2010. To earn college credits, university students must follow the university student registration directions on the Business Challenge Web site. For more information or to register, visit the Business Challenge 2010 Web site at www.gobusinesschallenge.com, or contact Katie Mehrer at 701-483-2515, or katherine.mehrer@dickinsonstate.edu .

2010 Youth Leadership Summit

The Community Development Project and North Dakota Business Challenge are hosting the 2010 Youth Leadership Summit. The Youth Leadership Summit is an opportunity to provide high school students with the chance to grow their leadership skills, open their eyes to future opportunities and set them up on the road to success! This conference is an event that will confront the most common excuses that derail student achievement, decision making and self-esteem and teach them how to take responsibility for their actions and attitude.

The Youth Leadership Summit will be held at Dickinson State University, Student Center Ballroom, on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 from 10:00am-2:00pm. There will be a morning & an afternoon session with lunch provided. All North Dakota high school (9-12) students are invited to attend.

The morning session of the Youth Leadership Summit will feature bestselling author, Jason Ryan Dorsey, as the keynote speaker. Jason has keynoted over 1,000 Gen Y/youth events around the world. His inspiring message has earned him standing ovations from audiences and led to his appearances on 60 Minutes, 20/20, The Today Show, and The View. Currently, Jason’s acclaimed books are used as required reading in over 1,650 secondary schools and colleges.

The afternoon session will feature a panel discussion called “Stepping Up – YP High School Career Conversations”. This thought-provoking panel discussion, consisting of members from the local Dickinson Young Professionals (DYP), will jump-start your students into thinking about career planning and how to match job experience with education. The DYP members will discuss how they chose their university and degrees. They will share their journey through college, which lead to their current career paths.

Please check the Strom Center’s Youth Leadership Summit webpage for updated information, bios of the speakers, and registration form.

For more information contact:
Amanda Moser
Community Development Project Coordinator
Amanda.Moser@dickinsonstate.edu
701-483-2830

Katie Mehrer
North Dakota Business Challenge
Katherine.Mehrer@dickinsonstate.edu
701-483-2515

Business Challenge Viral Video Contest

Business Challenge is trying something new for 2010! With this year’s program coming up quickly, June 13-18, 2010, now is the time to submit your viral video so you can attend for FREE!

You are more than likely asking yourself “What is this Business Challenge Viral Video Contest?” Well, here’s the answer…the contest is your chance to show everyone what BC is all about, why you loved it, or maybe it’s just a chance for you to goof off with your friends!

Make sure that you read all of the requirements and rules (posted below) so you know what you need to put in your video! The contest is open to everyone, not just past BC students and educators, so pass the message on to your friends & family if they are thinking of coming to Business Challenge 2010!

Here’s a little more information to get you started…

What is a viral video?????

A viral video is a video clip that gets a lot of attention through email or media sharing websites (like YouTube). Viral videos are often funny and include parodies like Jo Jonas Dances to Single Ladies, amateur videos like the popular Numa Numa Dance or slightly more professional videos like The Pink Glove Dance, or Coming Together As One! Click on the links and watch these videos…they are great examples!

What is the Business Challenge Viral Video Contest?????

The BC Viral Video Contest is YOUR chance to show US what Business Challenge is and why you love it! It could also be your chance to be creative, show off your lip-sync or dancing skills, goof off with your friends…or just have fun! YOU can show the WORLD why Business Challenge is the best thing to do this summer! The videos above are an awesome example of how to have fun with a video and still promote at the same time…well except the Numa Numa Dance video, we just put that in there because it’s funny!

Videos will be accepted until January 25, 2010…then they go global! All entries will be posted to the Business Challenge YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/businesschallenge78) on February 1st – March 31st as a playlist for easy viewing. That’s when your friends, family, neighbors, and everybody else can go on and cast their vote for your video!

What’s in it for you?

Besides having fun making a video? You can come to Business Challenge 2010 for FREE! The person who submits the video that gets the most votes (via comments section) will receive FREE REGISTRATION for Business Challenge 2010! That’s a value of $125.00!

Here’s the steps you need to follow to get started…

STEP 1 – VIDEO CREATION

Here are some ideas and tips to get that camera rolling:

o Tell us why you are participating or about your past involvement and how amazing it was.

o Challenge someone you know or your school to attend BC!

o Make your own Top 10 Reasons to attend Business Challenge.

o Get your friends together and do a skit or parody.

o Originality. Viral videos are so popular because they are original in some way .

o Make it good… as in make sure we can see and hear it clearly.

o Be lame or make a fool of yourself!

o Be sincere and personal. Even if you’re faking it!

o Don’t make a commercial!

o Make something that a viewer will just have to look at.

Requirements –

o Videos must be between 15 seconds and two minutes (120 seconds) in length and no larger than 2 GB. Accepted file formats include: Windows Media Video (.WMV), 3GP (cell phones), .AVI (windows), .MOV (mac), .MP4 (ipod/psp), .MPEG, .FLV (adobe flash), .MKV (h.264) .
o VIDEOS MUST INCLUDE THE NEW BUSINESS CHALLENGE DATES SOMEWHERE IN THE VIDEO! The new dates are: JUNE 13-18, 2010
o All entries must be received by January 25, 2010.

STEP 2 – SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO

Remember: All videos must be received by January 25, 2010! Entries may be sent via email or mail.

Email videos and forms to: katherine.mehrer@dickinsonstate.edu

Title your email: Business Challenge Viral Video Contest 2010 – (Your Name)

-or-

Copy video to a disk and mail with the forms to:
Business Challenge
291 Campus Drive
Dickinson, ND 58601

When submitting your entry, remember to include these three items:

YOUR VIDEO!
Viral Video Contest Entrance Form
Permission forms (from everyone who appears in the video)

STEP 3 – THE BUSINESS CHALLENGE VIRAL VIDEO CONTEST

Videos will be posted on the Business Challenge YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/businesschallenge78). Videos will be posted on a playlist for easy viewing.

Voting will take place February 1 – March 31, 2010.

Votes are submitted by posting a positive comment to the viewers’ favorite video.

The person whose video receives the most votes (via Comments section) will receive FREE ATTENDANCE TO BUSINESS CHALLENGE 2010! (Prize covers registration fee of $125 only).

Rules:
1. Entrant is responsible to secure permission from all talent included in the video.
2. Videos can be shot with camera phones, digital video cameras or any other digital moving image format.
3. By submitting your contribution to the Business Challenge Viral Video Contest, you warrant and undertake to Business Challenge that your contribution (i) is your own original work and that you have the sole right to submit it to the contest (ii) does not violate in any way rights of third parties including copyright and other intellectual property rights and (iii) does not violate any applicable laws.
4. Acceptable source video includes sources that are not copyrighted. Participant takes responsibility that all images and soundtracks are not copyrighted material. This means, do NOT use commercial copyrighted music or images.
5. Your contribution to the contest should not include any content whatsoever which would reasonably be understood to be defamatory, threatening, distasteful, racist, unlawful or otherwise objectionable.
6. Entrants agree to grant to Business Challenge an everlasting, royalty-free, assignable, exclusive license to use, utilize, replicate, alter, adapt, modify, publish, broadcast, translate, produce derivative works from, distribute, present, play, sublicense and exercise all copyright and other intellectual property rights with respect to your contribution worldwide and/or to include your contribution in other works in any media now known or later created forever. Each entrant agrees and grants Business Challenge permission to make available and display/perform and otherwise distribute entrant’s video submission in all media in perpetuity without compensation.
7. Entrants participating in this contest are liable for any copyright infringements caused by their videos.
8. Business Challenge assumes no responsibility for lost or late entries or for incomplete computer transmissions or technical failures.
9. Sponsor and organizer reserve the right not to accept entries that are considered inappropriate for the site. If we deem the video inappropriate you will receive email notification.
10. Business Challenge reserves the right to change these terms and conditions at any time and at its sole discretion.

For more information about the contest or to get the necessary forms to submit your video please contact Business Challenge Coordinator, Katie Mehrer at (701) 483-2515.

Kim Goldsmith
Web & Social Media Manager

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