2019 Southern Regional Conference & Exhibition Recap

By November 22, 2019 October 19th, 2020 News, South, Students, Tennessee, Trade Shows

Southern Regional Conference & Exhibition
November 17-18, 2019
LeConte Event Center
Pigeon Forge, TN

Key Stats

  • 1,500 total attendees
  • 1,300 participating students
  • 66 firms
  • 58 schools
  • 13 competitions
  • 35 volunteers – Shout out to Intuit, Student Ambassadors at Tennessee Technological University, Wonderworks, Boyd-Chambers Communications, Dollywood, Dixie Stampede, and WVLT Channel 8 News, Knoxville, TN

Competition Results

View Competition Results

Participant Quotes

“Always well organized and a pleasure to work with all the teachers there. I love seeing all the students come out of their shell and become business people, selling their products to one another. It’s amazing to see all the students’ enthusiasm towards their products and each other. As always the bar has been raised when it comes to the business plans! Judging is a one of a kind experience where you get to see the students really sell their products and their companies. It completely restores your faith in humanity when you see how bright the future is with VE students in it.” – Mark Jones, NC State Coordinator

“This was my second year as a judge at the regional competition and as a business executive of over 15 years, I continue to be highly impressed with the caliber of the students. The way they present themselves during the competition is remarkable. When I ask the students what they love most about the program they all say it’s the opportunities VE has given them, the experience and knowledge they gain in the business world, and how VE has helped to prepare them for their future.” – Angie Boyd-Chambers, Judge

“It was great to work together as a team. We grew as a company, and now we understand all the work that we have put into the business prior to the conference and exhibition.” – South Granville High School Students

“The main things I took away at the exhibition this year (and VE in general) is that the key to success is letting your creativity run free. A lot of companies sell different products, but it’s the ones who actively think outside of the box that set themselves apart from the competition.” – Zach Hull, CEO, NeoTerra

Social Media Contest Winners

Pikaso, Spartanburg High School, Spartanburg, SC

Imagineers, Lapeer County Ed-Tech Center, Attica, MI

Bellwether, Marion County High School, Jasper, TN