When seven Bob Jones University students traveled to Chicago for the American Marketing Association (AMA) International Collegiate Conference on March 12–14, 2026, they joined nearly 1,800 students from universities across the country.
BJU students, Zane Herzog and Eric Weist, earned first place in the AMA Marketing Strategy Competition. This live, high-pressure event tests students’ ability to think clearly and communicate effectively under tight constraints. Their victory placed them ahead of teams from more than 110 universities and highlighted the strength of BJU’s marketing program.
Competing with the Nation’s Best
The AMA’s Collegiate Conference is the organization’s largest annual event and brings together student chapters from more than 300 universities worldwide. Throughout the conference, students participate in chapter evaluations, professional development sessions and competitive marketing events that mirror real-world business challenges.
Many of the schools represented in these competitions are large state universities or well-known private institutions where AMA participation is closely tied to their business programs. For BJU students, the conference offered an opportunity to measure their skills alongside peers from some of the most established marketing programs in the country.
A True Test of Marketing Skill
The Marketing Strategy Competition, sponsored by Promotional Products Association International, is considered one of the most demanding events at the conference.
Teams of two receive a one-page marketing brief and are given 30 minutes to develop a complete strategy. No internet access, artificial intelligence or visual aids are permitted. Students must rely entirely on their training and experience.
After preparation, each team delivers a seven-minute oral presentation to a panel of industry professionals, followed immediately by live questions from the judges. Herzog and Weist’s clear thinking and confident delivery set them apart and earned the competition’s top honor.
Additional Honors
Herzog also represented BJU well in individual events. He placed seventh out of approximately 600 students in the Perfect Pitch Competition, sponsored by Gartner, and received an honorable mention in the Sales Competition, sponsored by Insight Global.
Built Over Time
This year’s success reflects steady growth within BJU’s University Marketing Association (UMA). Since becoming an AMA collegiate chapter in 2015, UMA has developed into an active student organization that emphasizes professionalism, teamwork and hands-on learning.
Over the years, BJU students have earned multiple national recognitions, including:
- First Place, Marketing Strategy Competition (2026)
- Third Place, Marketing Simulation Competition (2020)
- Top placements in Perfect Pitch (2020, 2024, 2025, 2026)
- Placement in the Sales Competition (2026)
- National AMA scholarships awarded to BJU students (2020)
Leadership and Mentorship
The 2026 UMA chapter was led by President Eliza Thomas and advised by Dr. Adele Dunn, who has served as an AMA ICC judge for seven years. UMA is also supported by Mrs. Jennifer Donavan, who has attended the conference and served as a judge for the past three years. This year’s faculty team included Mrs. Donavan and Dr. Casarow, who worked closely with students as they prepared for competition.
Learning That Makes a Difference
For BJU students, the AMA conference is more than a competition—it is an opportunity to apply classroom learning, sharpen communication skills and represent Christ well in a professional setting. This year’s first-place finish is a reminder of what can happen when students commit themselves fully to their work and use their training with excellence.
