Proposal for 2010 Southwest District Meeting Tucson, AZ

1. Fourth Annual Southwest District Student Case Competition Information Proposal for 2010 Southwest District Meeting Tucson, AZ

2. Purpose The Student Case Competition is designed to: • Encourage Student involvement in District and Chapter activities, • Allow students to compare their education with that of other students, • Test their classroom education and its usefulness in solving real-world situations, • Heighten the importance of APICS involvement (as a college student and as a professional) now and in the future • Network with APICS Professionals

3. Historical Results • 2007 our team from CSUSan Louis Obispo won the local competition and went on to win 1st Place in the National Competition at the Orlando International Conference. • 2008 our team from CSU Chico & East Bay won the local competition and went on to win the National Competition at the Kansas City International Conference. • 2009 our winning team from CSUN will be sponsored for the Scholars Program and one of our team members Christina Tsao, has been accepted as a member of the Future Leaders Program at National Headquarters.

4. Student Success • Northridge Student Chapter has increased its membership from 1 in 2007 to 11 this year after the Case Study Competition • University of Nevada Las Vegas has started an active Student Chapter and now has 8 members after the Case Study Competition. • The Southwest District now has 47 student members.

5. Process Overview • There will be 2 competitions at once – Graduate and Undergraduate teams • Each team will receive the same written description (case study) featuring an organization with performance problems • Each team will follow the standard process of: • Problem Identification, Analysis, Problem Solution, and Recommendations

6. Process Overview • Each team shall submit One Entry containing: • A Written Report • An Oral Presentation • Both are submitted on flash drive or CD at the submission deadline. • Entries will be judged equally on the Report and the Presentation • Oral 50 Points • Written 50 Points • Total possible score of 100

7. Competition Structure • Student Chapters or Student Teams may have from 2 to 6 Student Members per team • Depending on participation, the region reserves the right to mix teams from different schools • Do not mix graduates with undergraduates on SAME team • The use of reference books and computers is acceptable and encouraged, but students must furnish them on their own. • There will be a work room available for the students to meet and strategize. • A printer will be available in the Students work room.

8. Event Logistics for Students • Dress Code – At Minimum, Business Casual • Students arrive for orientation on Friday by 6:00 PM • Case & Questions – 6PM until 11PM in Hospitality Suite • Hotel Etiquette - We are not the only ones here • Written & Oral presentations are DUE Saturday no later than 11:30 AM • Time is allotted after lunch to practice Oral Presentations • Oral presentations will given around 2:00 PM • Presentation of Awards and CASH Prizes by 4:30PM • Surveys – Turn in at conclusion of presentations • Optional Dinner (Saturday night)

9. Arrangements • Students will provide their own transportation to the meeting on Friday. Plan to arrive at the hotel by 6:00 p.m. • Students will arrange for their own hotel rooms for Friday night. APICS discount available if booked by hotel reservation cut-off date. • District will provide a hospitality suite on Friday night and breakfast, lunch and optional dinner on Saturday for all students • District will provide Cash Prizes to all teams

10. Student Eligibility • All Affiliated student chapters (ASC) from APICS Southwest District** • ** See FAQS sheet if your school is outside of the SW District • Interested/qualified full-time students from other colleges (minimum 6 units/semester) • Minimum Age: 18 • Major: Operations Management or related discipline • Undergraduate or Graduate level • Willing to join APICS if part of winning team

11. Logistics • Location: • Phoenix, Arizona (Hotel TBD) • Proposed Dates: • (1st Choice) Friday Feb. 19th & Saturday Feb. 20th - or - • (2nd Choice ) Friday Feb. 26th & Saturday Feb. 27th • Dates are optimal for University Students and do not interfere with other events around that time of year. • Valentines Day, Superbowl & Barrett-Jackson Car Auction, Mid-Term exams, etc.

12. Awards • Every Student Team that participates will receive an award medallion, certificate and CASH Prize.  • Funding is provided by the chapters and other donors to the Southwest District Case Competition • The First Place Teams attendance will be supported to represent our District at the APICS 2010 International Conference Scholars Program. • Financial support for travel will be provided by the Southwest District from Chapter donations.

13. Funding The Competition • The APICS Headquarters supports the event in spirit as a way for Districts to grow new membership and support the communities which we serve. • The APICS Headquarters does not have a budget to fund the event. • All funds must come from the chapters and other supporters in the Southwest District. • Direct donations from the chapter’s financial budget • Funds collected during chapter events such as 50/50 raffles, contributions from member companies, etc. • Donations from University programs, etc.

14. Historical – Projected Costs • 2007 we had 9 students in 3 teams • Total cost for the event was $3,800 • 2008 we had 41 students in 7 teams • Total cost for the event was $8,373 • 2009 we had 36 students in 9 teams • Total cost for the event was $10,775 • Projected students for 2010 are: 40 • Projected cost for 2010 is: $13,898

15. Chapter Support • Donations received will be used for: • Meals including Saturday Night dinner for students who chose to attend. • Student Memberships for all team members to insure their eligibility to participate. • Cash Prizes, Medallions and Certificates • Travel expense for the 1st place winning teams attendance at the 2010 International Conference Scholars Program • Surplus Funds are used to support next years competition.

16. Finding Students • Student members of APICS in your area • Other colleges in your area • Solicit the support of a college professor in Operations Management • Many schools have clubs on campus that are relevant to their majors (Ops Mgmt) • Your students in other CPIM/CSCP APICS classes may be the parents of a college student in Operations Management

17. Additional Help • Attend the District Meeting to support your students • Mentors are needed – we will pair professionals up with students for the weekend networking opportunities • Judges for the papers and the oral presentations are needed • Camera & video operators are needed • Committee members are needed to help with arrangements, communications & logistics.

18. Questions • Shall we proceed with this plan? • Will the chapters support it financially? • We need your financial commitment by end of September 2009 if we are to proceed. • Are there members willing to serve on the committee for 2010? • A vote by the Chapter Presidents is called for…

19. Contact • Ellen Kane • 818-999-4877 • ek@theacagroup.com. • Barry Solomon • 702-324-1729 • solombar@cox.net • Sue Thornton • 714-227-4867 • jssusit@earthlink.com For more information contact the Southwest District Student Competition TEAM: Advancing Productivity, Innovation, and Competitive Success