Elon Students pitch to compete at national competition

Elon University students put their sales skills to the test during the Chandler Family Professional Sales Center’s Elevator Pitch Competition.

This fall, the Chandler Family Professional Sales Center held its Elevator Pitch Competition to select students to represent the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business at the International Collegiate Sales Competition (ICSC).

Top honors went to Shriya Baru ’25, an accounting major from Cary, N.C., who clinched first place, and Dimitris Repoulis ’25, a marketing major from Larchmont, N.Y., who finished as the runner-up.

Both students received cash prizes and traveled to Orlando, Fla., for the competition from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, 2024.

“I was beyond honored and excited to represent Elon at the ICSC sales competition,” said Baru. “This opportunity was truly rewarding, and I couldn’t wait to showcase what I’d learned and contribute to the competition with my unique perspective.”

“I was extremely honored and grateful for the chance to represent Elon at this year’s ICSC competition,” said Repoulis. “Having the opportunity to work together with the sales team, I was excited to learn and develop skills alongside my peers to help make Elon proud at this year’s tournament.”

At ICSC, the students had the opportunity to engage with industry experts and compete against peers from other universities.

Chris Nelson, assistant professor and director of the Chandler Family Professional Sales Center, praised the students’ efforts.

“I was proud of this team. Dimitris and Shriya really stood out in a strong field of competitors during the annual Chandler Family Sales Center Competition,” Nelson said. “Their dedication and preparation were impressive, and they represented Elon with enthusiasm at ICSC. They joined returning sales team members Sydney Blau and Lauren Atchley, who competed in the speed selling competition at ICSC.”

The Chandler Family Professional Sales Center promotes professional selling and sales management, provides high-quality instruction to both students and sales executives, and conducts research that advances the field of sales.