March 29-April 1, 2023, NORFOLK, VA

2023 National Convention

Convention Agenda

Check the full schedule of keynotes, sessions, & workshops

12:00PM - 1:45PM

Volunteer Lunch and Convention Kickoff

2:00PM - 11:00PM

National Awards Program Practice – Check In

4:00PM - 7:00PM

Registration Open

7:00AM - 6:00PM

Registration Open

7:15AM - 7:45AM

National Awards Program – AM Judges Meeting #1

7:45AM - 6:00PM

National Awards Program Check In

All student competitors must check in at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled competition time.
8:15AM - 8:45AM

National Awards Program – AM Judges Meeting #2

8:00AM - 5:00PM

Interview Lounge

9:00AM - 10:15AM
Eric Jones
Eric Jones

Culture & DEI: Bringing Your Unique Brand to Build a Winning Company Culture. Presented by Eric Jones/DJ Bridges, Rocket Companies

Learn about Rocket Company’s “come as you are” hiring philosophy and how leveraging your unique brand can help to build a winning company culture.
9:00AM - 10:15AM
Manuel Vazquez Ederra
Manuel Vazquez Ederra

Winning in the Interview Process

How do you define "Winning" in the interview process? Is it landing a job offer or is it landing the RIGHT job offer? As hiring managers at Federated we only hire the best of the best and typically extend 1 offer per District each year. Because of that we have been able to identify the key traits that allow candidates to separate themselves from the pack. In this session we will cover ways that you can position yourself as that rare talent to recruiters. We will also offer insight on what you should be considering to make sure that you land at an organization that is the best fit for you.
10:30AM - 11:45AM
Christa Schulenburg
Christa Schulenburg

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Campus Recruiters Reflect on Memorable Interview Experiences. Facilitated by Christa Schulenburg, Apex Systems.

Join employer panelists as they recall some of their most memorable campus recruiting interviews. Learn how you can stand out and what to avoid during job interviews. Q&A with candid responses from these seasoned recruiters.
11:45AM - 12:45PM

LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

12:30PM - 1:45PM

National Awards Program – JUDGES LUNCH

1:00PM - 2:15PM
Sara Cho
Sara Cho

The Sales Based Interview: How to Land Your Dream Job in Five Steps. Presented by Sara Cho, Mutual of Omaha

Learn how to set yourself apart and land your dream job, using a simple five step process. Winning a job is no different than selling a product. People buy from people they like and trust. If you are selling yourself, you need to have a plan and understand the sales process. *If you are a competitor in the Interview Competition this is session is part of the competition, finalists for round two will be announced during this session* If you are not a competitor this session is for anyone who wants to develop their interview skills.
1:00PM - 5:00PM

National Conference in Sales Management (NCSM)

1:15PM - 1:45PM

National Awards Program – PM Judges Meeting

2:00PM - 5:00PM
David Cooper
David Cooper

Opening Ceremony and Keynote Address by David Cooper, USN SEAL (Retired)

Get your seats early for this grand event to kick off the 2023 National Convention! Experience the Norfolk Navy Honor Guard and National Anthem (sung by our own Hannah Sullivan, Gamma Gamma), official welcoming remarks from PSE National President, Brian Andersen, and featured Keynote Address delivered by David Cooper, USN SEAL (Retired). But wait, there’s more! “Maximizing the Moment” with Kelsea Kiene and introductions to our corporate members will get you prepared and pumped for an amazing convention experience! Don’t miss it!
5:30PM - 7:00PM

Welcome Reception for Educators, Corporate Representatives and PSE National Leadership

7:00PM - 9:00PM

PSE Fraternity Night Dinner for all Student and Alumni members of PSE. Includes a very special crossover ceremony for seniors! Faculty advisors welcomed!

7:00AM - 6:00PM

Registration Open

8:00AM - 5:00PM

National Conference in Sales Management (NCSM)

8:00AM - 5:00PM

Interview Lounge

7:45AM - 8:50AM
Jeff Eilers
Jeff Eilers

Student Breakfast Sponsored by Mutual of Omaha – Life’s An Epic Journey: How Are You Preparing?

Learn how successful people navigate their lives and what you can do now as a college student to prepare. During this session you will learn skills that will help you understand how to deal with challenges and the importance of a core set of beliefs and values.
9:00AM - 9:50PM
Allison Wiley
Allison Wiley

Conquering Your Biggest Fear: Essential Public Speaking Skills for Business Leaders. Presented by Allison Wiley, Pella Corporation

This interactive session will teach you essential skills to help you to overcome your fears and learn to enjoy public speaking - and ultimately command an audience. Open to all levels of public speaking experience.
9:00AM - 9:50PM
Amanda June Sahawneh
Amanda June Sahawneh

One Step at a Time: Your Personal Development Journey. Presented by Amanda June Sahawneh, Vector Marketing

Everything in life that seems daunting, overwhelming, and even impossible can be accomplished gradually by taking on just a little at a time. Learn valuable personal development tools and how to use them effectively to positively impact every area of your life.
9:00AM - 11:45PM

Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon® Welcome, Carew Training, Case Review. All Pro-Am competitors, coaches, judges and buyers must attend.

9:00AM - 12:00PM

Case Study Competition – PICKUP. Competitors must pick up competition materials at Registration Desk.

10:00AM - 10:50AM

A Conversation with Your National Leadership: Town Hall Meeting

All students (who are not competing in the Pro-Am), alumni and advisors are encouraged to attend this session to engage with PSE National Leaders, hear information about Fraternity initiatives, ask questions and provide input in a relaxed and conversational format. An excellent lead-in to the official PSE Annual Business meeting which will immediately follow.
10:15AM - 11:45PM

Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon® Training – Buyer Training

11:00AM - 11:45AM

Annual Business Meeting

Delegates from each chapter are required to attend. All other PSE members are highly encouraged to attend.
12:00PM - 1:00PM

LUNCH and Panel Discussion: Your Future and Emerging Tech

1:15PM - 6:00PM

Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon® Competitor CHECK IN and Holding Room. Competitors must check in at least 10 minutes prior to scheduled competition time.

1:15PM

Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon® Judges report to competition rooms. Judges must report to assigned competition rooms no later than 1:15pm for final instructions and technology check.

1:30PM - 2:45PM
Michael Van Grinsven
Michael Van Grinsven

Rhinoceros SUCCESS: Charging Full Speed Toward Every Opportunity! Presented by Michael Van Grinsven

Deep in the jungle of life there lives an animal called SUCCESS! Discover how it influences everything in your life - mental, physical, emotional, relational, spiritual, and financial. Based on the bestselling book, Rhinoceros SUCCESS by Scott Alexander, a Rhino spirit creates clarity, power, passion, and energy to achieve your most important priorities.
1:30PM - 3:00PM
Martin White
Martin White

Project Management 101, Presented by Martin White, President PMI, and Ryan Haag, PMI (Hampton Roads Chapter)

This interactive session is designed to provide fun and interesting examples of the basic principles of project management. The attendee will engage in a series of short exercises that demonstrate phases of a project. Space is limited.
1:30PM - 6:00PM

Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon® Competition

3:00PM - 4:15PM
Dennis DiPasquale
Dennis DiPasquale

Let’s Talk 4-Letter Words: Why “Fear” and “Fail” Are Important for Professional Growth

Fear is not a bad word, and neither is fail. In this workshop, you will learn how many of the most successful people failed their way to success! Participants will understand why they fear failure, and how to use emotional intelligence to become comfortable with fear and get started on a path to achieve life’s goals.
3:00PM - 4:15PM
Anna Ostrowski
Anna Ostrowski

Healthy Minds: Let’s Get Real! Presented by Anna Ostrowski, Henry Schein

The term mental health has become such a common phrase these days. But what does it actually mean, how is different for everyone, and what are some practices to pull yourself out of the dark? Let’s get real, let’s get practical, and let’s get going in changing perspectives of how we show up every day.
6:00PM

FREE NIGHT; dinner on your own

6:00PM - 7:30PM

Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon® Reception

All student competitors, coaches, judges and buyers are invited to this exclusive networking event. Competition finalists will be announced during this event, so don’t miss it!
6:30PM - 9:30PM

National Conference in Sales Management (NCSM) – Dinner Cruise

7:00AM - 12:00PM

Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon® Finals

7:30AM - 8:45AM

Faculty Advisor Breakfast

8:00AM - 8:45AM

Student AM Break Service (Coffee and Light Breakfast)

8:00AM - 11:30AM

Interview Competition Finals

8:00AM - 4:00PM

National Conference in Sales Management (NCSM)

8:00AM - 5:00PM

Interview Lounge

8:45AM - 10:00AM

Corporate Member Breakfast

9:00AM - 11:15AM
Rob Webb
Rob Webb

Membership is Where Transformation Begins. Presented by Robert C. Webb, Phired Up

In this session, Rob will dive one level deeper into the theme of this PSE year: “Who We Are”. We will reflect on a culmination of the aspects that define our identity as an organization, our values and our “why”, and how we can effectively communicate “Who We Are”.
9:00AM - 11:15AM
Tyler DeFranco
Tyler DeFranco

NY Mets Professional Sports Selling Competition! (No pre-registration required. Limited admission.) Presented by Tyler DeFranco, NY Mets

Passionate about sports? Interested in honing your selling skills? The New York Mets have a proven track record in growing leaders in the professional sports industry. It’s spring training time, so join your Mets selling coaches and let’s play ball in this fun and engaging professional sports selling competition with official Mets prizes! (No pre-registration required. Limited admission.)
10:00AM - 11:15AM

Career Fair Set Up

11:30AM - 1:45PM

Career Fair and Lunch

12:00PM - 4:00PM

Alumni Lunch and Off-Site Excursion

2:00PM - 4:30PM
Ron Poff
Ron Poff

The Future of PSE | Closing Educational Session and Roundtables. Presented by Ron Poff, Erin Suhajda, and Carolyn Mang

In this session, you will hear from Industry Professional and Educator, Ron Poff, on how we can overcome challenges and failures together as an organization. The majority of this session will be spent brainstorming and collaborating with other PSE members in a roundtable format. Don’t miss the conclusion to the 2023 National Convention educational program and this highly rated session!
1:00PM - 6:00PM

Case Study Competition

5:30PM - 6:45PM

Alumni Reception hosted by NAA

7:00PM - 10:00PM

Scholarship Dinner and Speaker Competition Final Round

5:30PM - 6:45PM

President’s Reception (by invitation)

6:00PM - 6:45PM

Member Reception with Cash Bar, Music and Photo Booth

7:00PM - 10:00PM

Banquet and National Awards Presentations

The PSE 2023 National Convention

This annual event brings together students, alumni, educators and industry professionals for an exciting week of networking, professional development, competitions and fun!

Conference Starts in:

Registration is closed

Why Attend the PSE 2023 National Convention?

The PSE National Convention is the premier sales and marketing event for individuals who want to:

build a strong professional network

learn from industry leaders

showcase accomplishment

compete in a variety of individual and group competitions, and

connect with employers

make real connections in person and have some fun!

 

PSE continues to lead in the advancement of sales, marketing, and related professions. We serve the emerging workforce by solving career readiness and advancement through community and competitions.

Attending the PSE 2023 National Convention will connect you with like-minded individuals who are passionate about learning and advancing their skills in sales, marketing, and related professions and who strive to make themselves, their campuses, and workplaces the best that they can be.

Who Should Attend?

College Students: Current student members of PSE and those college students who are interested in learning more about PSE, and who wish to compete, build a social and professional network, and meet future employers are encouraged to attend. Alumni: Attend general sessions, judge your favorite National Awards Program Categories or Individual Competitions, and connect with fellow PSE alumni and corporate partners for personal and professional networking. Pi Sigma Epsilon National Alumni Association (PSE NAA) Members are also invited to enjoy an exclusive Off-Site Event! Educators: Engage with other sales and marketing educators during the National Conference in Sales Management (NCSM), observe sales and marketing student competitions that foster skills development, and meet industry professionals and employers representing more than 40 companies. Industry Professionals and Employers:  Gain exposure to, engage and influence a pool of skilled and qualified early-career candidates representing 50 college campuses across the US. You will also have access to sales & marketing educators.

Interested in learning more about PSE?

A limited number of complimentary registrations are available for interested companies/employers, and college students and faculty from schools that do not currently have an active PSE chapter or interest group on campus.

To learn more, please contact Sam, at sam.mischio@pse.org.

Speakers

Well known industry leaders and emerging talents

    Are you an employer that would like to learn more about connecting with top talent?

    Pi Sigma Epsilon has many opportunities to connect employers with PSE student and alumni members for internships and early career positions. A PSE Corporate Membership provides year-round access to qualified early career candidates at local, regional and national career fairs, meet-the-firm events, speaking opportunities, resume access, job postings, and many other ways to engage the brightest students in the nation.

    Convention Venue

    Norfolk Waterside Marriott

    Refined luxury and stylish comfort come together brilliantly at Norfolk Waterside Marriott. Perched in the heart of the city's charming downtown district, our hotel is conveniently connected to Waterside Convention Center, also just moments from the USS Wisconsin and cruises on the Spirit of Norfolk. Stretch out in your well-appointed room or suite, all of which have been re-designed and offer river or city views, plush bedding and modern amenities.

    Get Directions:

    Enter Destination From input field below to get directions to the hotel

    Destination From

    Destination To

    Venue

    Norfolk Waterside Marriott
    235 East Main Street, Norfolk, Virginia, USA, 23510
    Phone: 757-627-4200

    Parking

    Parking is $15 a night for overnight guests.

    Reservations

    Guest room rate (single-quad occupancy): $171 plus tax
    Reservations cutoff date: Monday, March 6, 2023
    Reservation: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1662050673781&key=GRP&app=resvlink

    Airport and Transportation

    Norfolk International Airport
    Distance From Property: 9 Miles
    Phone Number: +1 757-857-3351 Visit Website
    Alternate Airport Transportation: Orange Peel Transportation

    Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport
    Distance From Property: 28 Miles
    Phone Number: +1 757-877-0221 Visit Website
    Alternate Airport Transportation: Carey/VIP & Celebrity Limousines

    Other Transportation

    Nearby:

    Bus Station: Greyhound Bus Station

    Train Station: Amtrak – NPN

    Amtrak – Downtown Norfolk

    Main Floor