Wittenborg has recently been selected to host the next edition of the European Sales Competition (ESC23), which will take place around one year from now, between 31 May and 2 June 2023. Held annually since 2014, ESC gathers students from 20 European higher education institutions in a competition that aims to select the best sales negotiators. Among other goals, the event intends to strengthen and give more visibility to the study of sales, while sharing the best teaching practices and benchmarking the best education institutions across the continent. The initiative is coordinated by the European Sales Competition Association (ESCA).

In order to participate, students need to submit their CVs as well as a 30-second video pitch introducing themselves to the organisation in the weeks preceding ESC. The event’s three-day programme includes multiple activities, such as individual and team competitions, workshops, courses and social activities.

Conducted between 18 and 20 May 2022 by HAN University of Applied Sciences in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, ESC’s last edition involved 17 higher education institutions. Almost 50 students and about 30 coaches participated in the competition as well as 15 buyers. Composed of 30 people, the jury included 11 visiting members from the Southeast Asia Student Activities Conference (SEASAC).

During the event, Wittenborg Process & Quality Manager Myra Qiu and Associate Professor Dr Alexander Bauer – who is also one of ESC’s board members – successfully pitched the school to the European Sales Competition Association, who chose Wittenborg over other candidates as the host of ESC23. In next year’s edition, Bauer will be the Head of the Jury while Qiu will be the Competition Director. In addition to the sales competitions, ESC23’s programme will offer various activities for different target groups, including academic conferences, posters and presentations. There will also be networking events for researchers, professors, coaches, buyers and industry professionals among others.

According to Bauer, the European Sales Competition gives students the chance to experience a real-life scenario and to compare themselves with others. “Training in the classroom is one thing, but ESC enables participants to put their sales skills to practice, and these skills will be essential for any other negotiations or job interviews they will face in the future. On top of that, ESC also offers great opportunities for networking with other students, universities and possible future employers,” he said.

Qiu highlighted that approximately 150 people are expected to go to Apeldoorn for ESC23, adding that the event will give even more visibility to Wittenborg as well as promote the school’s pillars of internationalisation, diversity and ethics. “By attracting more students, educators and professionals, we will bring passionate, young and energetic talents to Apeldoorn, which benefits both the school and the local society. We truly believe that the contemporary job market needs competent and employable graduates, and having sales skills is essential for this purpose, together with negotiation, communication, consulting and other competencies,” she stressed.