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MISSOURI BUSINESS WEEK (MBW) is an interactive summer conference for 200 high
school current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors that teaches the students how to manage and market a business
in a very enjoyable environment. Student teams or "companies" are advised by
business people who represent real estate, banking, insurance, tourism, manufacturing and
other industries. Sponsored by the CENTER for Education & Private Enterprise
(the CENTER), the not-for-profit foundation of the Missouri Association of REALTORS® , MBW is held annually at the University of Missouri in Columbia.
It is a statewide program in every sense because REALTORS®
and other business professionals
from all over Missouri become involved with this major event. All students attend on $500 sponsorships, and REALTORS® not only donate to the sponsorship fund but also assist the CENTER with raising money from a variety of companies. They help with recruiting students from their respective areas of the state and keep the interest going by networking with area schools. REALTORS® who actually participate on-site have the privilege of working with eager young learners that are opening their minds to future career options. To simulate the business experience, the MBW student companies are involved with the management and marketing of imaginary retail products. Six companies make hats, the other six, T-shirts. The groups learn how to make management decisions by playing a computer game that follows the financial history of their products through eight business quarters. Marketing is accomplished through the production of 30-second television commercials, new business profile, trade show and web page designs (seen on the following pages). The energy and enthusiasm of the MBW students definitely make these experiences seem "real". The "companies" become viable business teams, challenged to compete for the best bottom line and the best marketing strategies. Missouri Business Week is co-sponsored by the Trulaske College of Business of the University of Missouri-Columbia. Program Assistance is provided by the Missouri Department of Elementary and secondary Education (DESE) and The Education Department of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. The 2009 program will be held June 28 - July 2. For more information about MISSOURI BUSINESS WEEK, contact the CENTER at 800-403-0101 ext. 126 or JackiLangworthy@morealtor.com
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