Congratulations to Martina Carstairs, BCIT Professional Sales student, for winning the 2019 Great Canadian Sales Competition (GCSC) on April 4 at the Google Headquarters in Toronto.
The GCSC is Canada’s largest student competition aimed at post-secondary students. Through the competition, students not only put their presentation skills to the test but they also develop real-world business and sales skills while expanding their industry networks with employers from leading companies, including Google, Air Canada, Salesforce, and more.
What it’s like to compete in Canada’s largest student competition?
This year’s competition saw a record-number of more than 4,400 entrants from over 80 post-secondary schools across Canada. After two intense rounds of distance judging, Martina’s superb sales and pitching skills earned her a spot as one of the 24 finalists to compete in Toronto for the final round. All finalists were flown in from across the country to deliver an interactive sales presentation in front of sales leaders representing many of Canada’s largest business-to-business companies.
Once again, Martina’s exceptional sales skills impressed the panel of judges and advanced her to one of the top five spots to present in front of an audience of more than 200 business professionals and business students representing universities such as University of Toronto, Queens, York, and Western. Martina’s presentation was on the topic of why universities should teach selling skills. As BCIT already teaches these, Martina drew from her personal experiences at BCIT and successfully delivered a passionate and logical case which earned her unanimous praise from the judges and the championship title.
Martina states: “I’m incredibly honored to bring the winning title back to BCIT. It’s a reflection of the Professional Sales program, its instructors and the community behind developing the next generation of sales talent.”
Taking home the championship and what’s next for Martina
As GCSC champion, Martina also took home a $7,500 cash prize and a complimentary round-trip flight to anywhere in the world, courtesy of Air Canada. Martina will be graduating from BCIT at the end of May and will likely pursue an account manager position with a Vancouver technology company. But first, she will need to wade through multiple job offers.
The GCSC was inspired by a BCITMA student competition that Jamie Scarborough, co-founder of Sales Talent Agency, was invited to judge. The competition is now in its 5th year. BCIT is the only school from across Canada to have finalists in each of the past 5 years.
Well done to all students who participated in this year’s Great Canadian Sales Competition!
Note to media: Martina Carstairs, 2019 GCSC champion, and Bruce Anthony, BCIT Program Head of Professional Sales, are available for interview. To schedule, please contact Amy Chen, 778-384-7245.
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