Chico State to host sales conference for first time

More than 50 faculty leaders of collegiate sales programs will attend

Already home to one of top university sales programs in the nation, Chico State will host the University Sales Center Alliance annual fall conference at the Bell Memorial Union Auditorium today through Saturday.

The event, drawing more than 50 faculty leaders of collegiate sales programs across the United States, hosts a discussion of best practices and sales center growth strategies as well as networking opportunities. It’s the first time Chico State has hosted the conference.

According to a university press release, “The goal is for attendees to learn from each other’s experiences and gain insights into innovative approaches to sales education they can take back to their universities to educate the next generation of sales professionals.”

The Chico State College of Business Seufferlein Sales Program is the event host. Terence Lau, interim provost and former College of Business dean at Chico State, will deliver a keynote address.

Featuring nearly 500 students from 60 majors, the Seufferlein Sales Program “prepares students for dynamic careers by teaching them how to communicate with others and sell their ideas, projects and proposals in today’s global business environment,” the press release said.

“Students in the program regularly compete in national and international sales competitions in order to gain skills in a real-world environment,” according to the release. “In the 202324 academic year, the team will compete everywhere from Hawaii to Finland.”

Modesto-based E&J Gallo Winery is sponsoring the event. A staff of nine Chico State students will produce the weekend’s activities under the guidance of SSP executive director Thomas Villa. Approximately 20 sales ambassadors from Chico State’s College of Business have been invited to the evening’s formal dinner to network with the 100 industry partners and faculty in attendance.