Chart a path to real-world success

Participants will tackle a live case study, present their solutions to industry judges, demonstrate public speaking skills, and compete for cash awards and scholarships through a series of competitions designed just for them. Whether interests lie in marketing, finance, operations, or leadership, Business Quest offers an opportunity to excel and build connections with professionals across the management field.

What Participants Gain

Real-World Business Experience

Real-World Business Experience:

Teams engage with genuine business challenges, analyze information, and develop actionable recommendations under time constraints

Improved Collaboration & Communication

Improved Collaboration & Communication:

Participants collaborate to solve challenges, refine public-speaking abilities, and build stronger communication skills that reflect positively on their programs.

Awards
&
Recognition

Awards & Recognition

Successful teams earn national recognition for themselves and their school as well as student scholarships, and certificates, with results featured in SAM’s official communications


Industry Engagement

Industry Engagement

Educators, parents, and participants alike connect with judges and mentors from leading organizations, creating valuable professional relationships and insight into career pathways

 

BUSINESS QUEST COMPETITIONS

CASE
COMPETITION

SPEECH
COMPETITION

KNOWLEDGE BOWL
COMPETITION

Case Competition

The case competition is like a real-world business challenge. Teams will review a company situation, figure out what’s going on, and come up with a plan to help the company improve, grow, or solve a problem.

Each team will present their ideas to a panel of judges that may include company leaders, business professionals, and industry experts. Teams will be scored on how well they understand the problem, the solutions they suggest, how realistic their plan is, and how well they answer questions during the Q&A session.

Speech Competition

This event gives students an opportunity to demonstrate their critical thinking and presentation skills under time constraints. Participants are presented with three current business-related questions and select one to address. The questions are based on real-world challenges in today’s global economy.

Students are given 30 minutes to research and prepare their response before delivering a presentation lasting between 2 and 5 minutes. Presentations are evaluated by a panel of judges who assess the quality of the response as well as the student’s delivery. This is an individual competition.

Knowledge Bowl Competition

Hands on Buzzers, this event is a fast-paced academic competition where teams compete to answer questions covering business topics, current events, and pop culture. Using a single-elimination bracket format, students face off in flights, with winners advancing through each round of the tournament.

 

BUSINESS QUEST EXPERIENCES

INTERVIEW
EXPERIENCE

STRATEGY
EXPERIENCE

COMMUNICATION
EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE
REVEALED FALL 2025

COLLABORATION
EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE
REVEALED FALL 2025

Interview Experience

The Business Quest: Interview Experience offers students a hands-on opportunity to prepare for and participate in a realistic job interview. Participants begin with a short workshop that introduces key strategies for interview success, including how to answer common questions, present themselves professionally, and communicate their strengths with confidence.

After the workshop, students receive three entry-level job profiles and select the one that most interests them. They then participate in a mock interview with business professionals who provide individualized, constructive feedback. This immersive experience helps students develop essential career-readiness skills, understand employer expectations, and build confidence in their ability to navigate future opportunities.

Whether students are applying for their first job, an internship, or a leadership role in school, the Interview Experience is a valuable step toward success in the workplace.

Communication Experience

This engaging, hands-on activity is designed to help students build real-world communication skills that are essential in any professional setting. The Business Quest: Communication Experience begins with a focused workshop where students learn practical strategies for clear, confident communication, active listening, and giving effective instructions. From there, participants put their skills to the test in a team-based collaboration challenge that highlights the power of clarity, trust, and peer connection.

Whether students are leading a project or working as part of a team, this experience shows how strong communication can drive better outcomes. It is fast-paced, interactive, and filled with opportunities to learn through doing, making it an ideal blend of instruction and practice for tomorrow’s business leaders.

Collaboration Experience

Students put their teamwork and creative thinking to the test in this fast-paced, hands-on experience in the Business Quest: Collaboration Experience. After a short workshop on collaboration and ideation strategies, participants form teams to tackle a design-based challenge using limited materials and a time limit. Teams are evaluated on how well they work together, how efficiently they manage their time, and how effectively they apply creative problem-solving techniques. This experience strengthens communication skills and encourages innovative thinking in a real-world team setting.

Strategy Experience

Step into the role of a decision-maker in the Business Quest: Strategy Experience, a hands-on team challenge that builds real-world communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills. In this dynamic two-person activity, one student leads through a live management scenario while the other executes instructions and responds to changing conditions.

Participants must navigate organizational challenges, prioritize competing demands, and communicate with clarity and purpose. With limited information and shifting priorities, students must rely on each other to maintain stability and achieve their objectives. This experience offers a fast-paced, immersive opportunity to practice strategic thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. Whether you’re directing the plan or carrying it out, this simulation is designed to prepare future leaders to manage complex situations with confidence and focus.

COMING FALL 2025

Exciting additions are coming to Business Quest in Fall 2025. Two brand-new experiences will be unveiled that build on the core strengths of our current program while introducing fresh opportunities for students to grow and lead. Designed to complement the skills developed in our existing competitions, these upcoming experiences will challenge participants in new ways, deepen their understanding of real-world business concepts, and expand their ability to collaborate, problem-solve, and think strategically. Stay tuned as these enhancements are set to take the Business Quest journey to the next level.

 

BUSINESS QUEST DETAILS

Event Date

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Time

9 AM - 4 PM

Location

New England Institute of Technology

Team Size

Up to FOUR students per team

Photograph of the Main Campus of the New England Institute of Technology

REGISTRATION

Business Quest is now accepting initial registrations for the upcoming competition season. Teachers, faculty advisors, and parents can use the form below to register a student team and secure a spot in the program.

Teachers, Faculty or Parents can register at least one or up to four students. Students can compete in one or all of the competitions and will be able to join our other Experiences without registration. 

Once you complete the initial registration, you’ll receive updates, next steps, and access to resources to help your team prepare. Join us in giving students a hands-on experience that builds real-world business and leadership skills.