Central Wisconsin News

Students at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point are currently engaged in the Case in Point Business Solutions Competition, collaborating with the Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau to find funding solutions for local tourism efforts. The competition involves four teams comprising 19 students, tasked with addressing the challenge of increasing revenue from the bureau's partnership program.

Executive Director of the Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Sara Brish, expressed her excitement about the competition, stating, "The enthusiasm and creativity these student teams are bringing to the table is impressive. Diversifying our income stream is a key priority, and I am excited to consider the students’ fresh perspectives on how we can achieve that goal."

The students have approached the challenge using Design Thinking, an innovative method focusing on understanding user needs through interviews and observations. This approach has not only provided valuable experience to the students but has also contributed to enhancing the local community.

Kevin Neuman, head of Sentry School of Business and Economics at UW-Stevens Point, emphasized the importance of cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset among students, stating, "We challenge every student to think like an entrepreneur. From small companies to large, from nonprofits to government, the world needs leaders who know how to think like entrepreneurs."

The competition will culminate in the Case in Point finals on Wednesday, April 10, where the teams will pitch their solutions to judges, with prize money awarded for the best presentations. The event is open to campus and community members interested in learning more about the innovative solutions proposed by the student teams. Those interested can register to attend the finals at www.uwsp.edu/caseinpoint.

The Case in Point competition is part of the Think Like an Entrepreneur programming at the Sentry School of Business and Economics, aimed at fostering creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork skills among students. The initiative is supported by a generous gift from alumni Mark ’85 and Julie Smiley ’87, and includes events where students can learn from entrepreneurs, participate in competitions, and engage in activities hosted by the UWSP Student Entrepreneurship Club.