During the Fall Reading Week, four Mount Allison Commerce students travelled to Montreal for the John Molson Sports Marketing Conference. Jill Edwards, Keifer Bell, Rachael Crump, and Shelby Colton joined more than 250 undergraduate delegates from across Canada.

Primarily funded by the MASU Academic Enrichment Fund and the Ron Joyce Centre for Business Studies, the opportunity was presented to students in Professor Peter Sianchuk's fourth-year sports marketing class. Edwards says she and her classmates decided this would be an unforgettable experience  — and they were right.

"This was such a unique experience for me," says Edwards. "As a marketing student and a lover of sport, I found a new possible career path after learning more about the industry at the conference. Travelling with my friends, making valuable connections, and learning about professional sports; this could not have been a better opportunity."

Sianchuk says this conference is one of the best learning opportunities for undergraduate students in the sports field in Canada. It features high-level speakers in sports management, executives from major North American sports leagues, along with panelists who are player agents, public relations experts, and representatives from sport product companies.

"Mount Allison students have attended this conference for many years and their response has always been very positive," he says. "Many have returned from Montreal and told me it was their best experience while attending Mount Allison University."

Crump agrees.

"This was by far one of the best experiences during my degree," she says. "This conference made me excited for post-grad employment, whether it is in the sports field or not. It was a great networking opportunity."

Bell, who plans to pursue a career in the marketing field, learned a lot from the conference speakers. Hearing their stories and how they broke into the sports industry inspired a valuable takeaway.

"If you really want something, go for it. If you work for it and are passionate enough, you can achieve it."
 
PHOTO CAPTION (L-R): Shelby Colton, Jill Edwards, Rachael Crump, and Keifer Bell at the John Molson Sports Marketing Conference in November.