Economics Arkansas will be hosting a unique virtual pitch contest in March, featuring top Northwest Arkansas business executives.
The Think Inside the Box pitch event will challenge participants to pitch a product idea that must be conceptualized and prototyped in 10 minutes using limited supplies. These supplies will be announced at the start of the event.
This pitch competition draws on Economics Arkansas’ iNSPIRE curriculum, particularly a lesson on Madame C.J. Walker that encourages students to learn about product development using limited materials.
“When schools went virtual last March, Economics Arkansas immediately pivoted from in-person trainings to virtual learning opportunities,” Economics Arkansas executive director Kathleen Lawson said in a statement. “We are excited to bring that experience to a virtual fundraising event where we can showcase our efforts to take the ‘eek’ out of economics.”
Several prominent business executives will be serving as honorary judges for the pitch competition. These judges include Walmart U.S. president and CEO John Furner and his wife Brandy; J.B. Hunt chief commercial officer and executive vice president of people and human resources Shelley Simpson; Simmons Foods CEO and co-vice chair Todd Simmons; Sam’s Club executive vice president and chief merchant Megan Crozier; and Tyson Foods chief technology officer Scott Spradley and his wife Annie.
Arvest Bank chairman and CEO Jim Walton and his wife Lynne will serve as the event co-chairs.
The virtual pitch competition is scheduled for Tuesday, March 16 at 6 p.m.
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