Hello Achievers and Advisors,

I hope you are all excited for the JA Company Program Trade Show taking place next Wednesday, March 16th from 5 to 7 p.m.!

Please review this email in full for what to expect and reminders.
What to Expect

DATE: Wednesday, March 16th
TIME: 5 to 7 p.m.
AGENDA:
5 P.M. | MAIN ROOM | KEYNOTE SPEAKER
  • Welcome from JA and Keynote Speaker, Fabricio Naranjo, from our Trade Show Sponsor, RSM Canada
  • Please make sure to log onto Zoom on time to listen to our keynote speaker

5:25 P.M. | BREAKOUT ROOM | TRANSITION
  • After the Keynote Speaker, you will be given instructions and breakout rooms will be opened. You will be given time to transition to your breakout room and set up

5:30 to 7 P.M. | BREAKOUT ROOMS | GUESTS & JUDGES
  • Judging: Judges will come by your booth between the designated judging window. Please see below for more details.
  • Guests: Guests will also be visiting your booth during this time so make sure you're ready to talk about your company and answer any questions! Guests will include: sponsors & JA stakeholders, JA staff, advisors, students from other teams, guests of students/advisors
  • Students: Students are also encouraged to visit other booths during this time - just make sure you have a minimum of 2 students at your booth.

5:30 TO 7 P.M. | JA HELP
  • If you need support during the event, click the "Help" button in your breakout room or have one of your team members go the main room.
Judging & Interacting with Guests

STUDENT REQUIREMENT:
  • We encourage ALL students to attend the Trade Show, but you are required to have a minimum of 2 students to represent your team at the virtual booths at all times between 5:30 to 7 p.m.
  • If you have extra members, you can have more than 2 students at your booth but please consider what's best for your team's pitch and interactions with guests/judges.
  • You can set your own schedule and we recommend that you have a way of connecting with your team members outside the platform if needed (i.e. WhatsApp, Slack, email, etc.)

JUDGING TIME & PITCH:
  • Judges will be at your booth a total of 5 to 10 minutes. Please keep your pitch less than 5 minutes and leave room for any questions from judges.
  • You will have the ability to share your screen. However, we recommend to keep your presentations/pitches simple and focus on the interaction between you and your guests/judges.
  • If you are interacting with other guests when the judge(s) enter your booth, politely wrap up any conversations and provide guests a way to follow up (i.e. direct them to your website/contact email, etc.) or you can connect with them after the judging.

INTERACTING WITH JUDGES/GUESTS:
  • You should be on camera and interacting with all guests who enter your booth, not just the judges. Think of this as an in-person tradeshow (for example, an event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre or at the Exhibition - the Home Show, or One-of-a-Kind Show) - how would you connect with your potential customers? catch their attention and highlight your company?
  • Make sure you're monitoring the booth chat as well for any questions that are added there.
  • Advisors: you're welcome to check in on your team but please do not do the pitch/presentations or answer any questions for guests/judges for them.

JUDGING CRITERIA
  • You will be judged on: description of our product/service, unique selling proposition, call to action and overall presentation.
  • Make sure you communicate clearly, concisely and with confidence and passion!
Awards

Students will have the opportunity to win the following recognitions:
  • People’s Choice Award – based on the number of online votes from the general public
  • Judge’s Choice Award – based on judges’ evaluations – Top 3 will be recognized
  • Achievers’ Choice Award – based on student votes on our website

Winners will be announced at ventureON in May.

People’s Choice:
  • A link to the public webpage with all of your student pitches will be shared on the day of the event. This will be open to the public for one week and available anytime for guests to visit and vote during this period.

Achievers' Choice:
  • Each team will be allowed to vote for one other team for this award. Instructions will be shared at the event.
  • One vote allowed per team (students must discuss and determine together which team they want to vote for).
  • Teams cannot vote for themselves.
Next Steps

  • ADVISORS & STUDENTS: Register for the event below (each attendee must register individually)
  • Share the event registration link with your friends and family!
  • Determine your Showcase schedule to ensure you have 2 students at your virtual booth at all times
  • If you have any questions or concerns regarding your team's participation in the JA Company Program, please contact us ASAP.
Should you have questions or concerns regarding any of the above information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at companyprogram@jacentralontario.org

Thank you!

Lucia & Lesley
The Company Program Team
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