Business, competition, and gnomes: Oh My! The Midwest VE Spring Conference and Exhibition

By April 3, 2023 Midwest, Midwest, News, Students

Contributed by Trish Vanni 

The Midwest VE Spring Conference & Exhibition was held on March 14, 2023, at the Bavarian Inn Lodge & Conference Center in Frankenmuth, Michigan. A great turnout of 35 VE firms from 18 high schools in Michigan and Illinois arrived ready to promote and sell their firms’ products and services, network with business professionals and other VE students, and compete in as many as six competitions, including Best Trade Show Booth Design and Best Sales Presentation.

Participants also had an opportunity to compete in a popular local challenge, the “Frankenmuth Gnome Hunt,” a fun search for hidden gnomes in what has been dubbed Michigan’s “little Bavaria.” Congratulations to 45 North from Alpena H.S. – the 2023 VE Gnome Hunt Champions!

Energy was high at the event. “I walked around the event and looked at the various businesses. There were some well-thought-out and creative ideas. What a remarkable program for young people to be able to take advantage of,” observed Heather Garno, Human Resources Director of Bavarian Inn Lodge & Conference Center. Her colleague, Shannon Osantowski, Lead Event Coordinator, echoed that enthusiasm, saying “We were very impressed with the kids. They did a great job.”

“In VE, you have youth who can sell, who come up with products, and who do the design work. You get to see incredible creativity in every area.”

Retired VE teacher, Mike Gregory

Retired VE teacher, Mike Gregory (formerly of Owosso HS, the first school in Michigan to offer VE) joined the event as a competition judge and shared his praise for VE. Recalling his time in the VE classroom, Gregory noted the real value of students learning what the business world is actually like, and applauded how in the process of building their firms, students find many outlets for building their communication skills and using their talents. “It’s not like a classroom where everything is structured,” he noted. “In VE, you have youth who can sell, who come up with products, and who do the design work. You get to see incredible creativity in every area,” he observed.

Above all else, Gregory values the networking that happens at VE events. “VE trade shows are a great opportunity for that. Students from IL and MI coming together, knowing they have that common ground, opens the door and allows even the shyest person to talk to someone. The energy is contagious,” he said. “Seeing participants coming alive, making new friends, making connections and getting new ideas, it’s kind of like a classroom in and of itself.” 

VE Student Matthew Allor, from Synergy at Genesee Career Institute in Flint, MI shared that his favorite part of VE is “being able to explore the different opportunities of business that you wouldn’t normally experience in a regular high school class. And I feel really prepared for my future career as I have gained so many business skills while applying myself in Virtual Enterprise.”

Photos by Keith Glavan

Heartfelt thanks are extended to the many volunteers who helped to make this special day possible, including:

  • Wendy Schmitt, Midwest Regional Director
  • Kendra Lee, IL-MN-WI State Coordinator
  • Nour Fayad, Midwest Regional Program Assistant & VE Alumni
  • Paula Fulton & Mike Gregory (VE Teacher Alum!), Event Volunteers
  • Dave Cook, Videography
  • Keith Glavan, Photography

Of course, we also thank all of our truly talented VE facilitators who devote so much of their time, talent and heart into bringing VE to life for their students!

Video by Dave Cook

Event winners include:

Banner Ad

  1. Summit Skincare.  Neuqua Valley High School
  2. Spectrum  Neuqua Valley High School
  3. Recover  Crystal Lake South High School

Company Newsletter

  1. Catalyst Coffee Co.  Neuqua Valley High School
  2. Summit Skincare Neuqua Valley High School
  3. Xtreme Comfort St. Charles East High School

E-Commerce Website

  1. Nomadic Nest Geneva High School
  2. Eights  Ann Arbor Skyline High School
  3. MetaNova Metea Valley High School

Email Campaign

  1. Quack Shack Clothing, Waubonsie High School
  2. Recover, Crystal Lake South High School
  3. omadic Nest, Geneva High School

Fan Favorite

  1. Electric Avenue, St. Charles East HS
  2. CRAVE, Waubonsie Valley HS
  3. Quack Shack Clothing, Waubonsie Valley HS

Sales Presentation

  1. MenU, Ann Arbor Skyline HS
  2. Electric Avenue, St. Charles East HS
  3. Recover, Crystal Lake South HS

Trade Show Booth Design

  1. Bruce Co., Milford HS
  2. Spectrum, Neuqua Valley HS
  3. Quack Shack Clothing, Waubonsie Valley HS