SUU Professional Sales Hosts Annual Thunder Sales Competition
Published: May 09, 2025 | Author: Mary Nelson | Read Time: 2 minutes
The Leavitt School of Business Professional Sales program was thrilled to host their annual Thunder Sales Competition–an all-day sales competition event open to all majors across the university. New to the competition this year was the Negotiation Competition and Career Fair. Different from competitions held in the past, the negotiation portion of the event was conducted via a multiparty negotiation with select sponsors and professional representatives.
The event then followed the traditional Thunder Sales schedule of a speed-pitch style competition, followed by two rounds of sales role play, in addition to three separate workshops held prior, to prepare participants for the event. Winners were given cash prizes, along with a chance to be invited to join the Professional Sales team the following year.
As an addition to the event this year, the negotiation competition was held first. Competitors were given a case study to analyze and had to negotiate a settlement on an individual basis. Participants had 90 minutes to meet and were judged based on what items or conditions they were able to negotiate. Only one winner was selected for this round, Landon Brian, a sophomore majoring in finance, who was awarded a $350 cash prize, sponsored by Federated Insurance.
The winners of this year’s speed pitch competition include the following:>
- Abigail Jones
- Dax Hill
- Miranda Garza
- Isaac Van Drimmelen
- Josh Miles
- Alice Annaccarato
- Kade Andra
- Jack Fairchild
In the first round of this year’s competition, students were challenged to deliver a 15-minute sales pitch based on a provided case study to a panel consisting of one judge and one buyer. Each student presented privately, with judges and buyers evaluating up to eight students each. This high-stakes round determined who would move on to the final meeting—a simulated deal-closing scenario.
This is the cornerstone event of the competition and was featured prominently. Luke Perkins took home the $1,000 grand prize, making a strong case for both his selling skills and the value of preparation.
Congratulations to our Case Study finalists:
- Luke Perkins
- Josh Miles
- Isaac Iverson
- Penelope Campion
- Tanner Moss
- Tyler Haymond
As the biggest sales event of the year, Thunder Sales offers students the opportunity to practice their sales skills through various sales-inspired competition settings. Students are also given feedback from industry professional judges, and are given opportunities to network and make important connections that will boost their experience during and after their college lives. To learn more about the Professional Sales Program at the Leavitt School of Business, click here
Tags: Professional Sales School of Business
Contact Information:
Brooke Heath
435-586-5400
brookeheath1@suu.edu