Ontario colleges win Gold and Silver at the 2014 Vanier College BDC Case Challenge

St-Lawrence College (Kingston) wins first place and Oakville's Sheridan College takes second

MONTREAL, Feb. 11, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Following a gruelling two-day competition, St. Lawrence College (Kingston) represented by Alisha Ferguson, Jason Lancaster, Hollie Knapp Fisher and their coach Keith Tuckwell won Gold at the 2014 Vanier College BDC Case Challenge in Montreal, which welcomed some of Canada's best business students on February 8-9.

Sheridan College (Oakville) students Shannon Crisp, Humza Imran, and Brian Farquharason, coached by Peggy Barnwell and Keith Barnwell, won Silver. SAIT (Calgary) took Bronze.

"This year's Case Challenge was the biggest ever," says principal organizer, David Moscovitz, Coordinator of the Vanier Business Administration Program. "As always, all the teams worked hard and demonstrated their professionalism and creativity.  Congratulations to all the teams. We're looking forward to seeing them again at our 10th anniversary Case Challenge in 2015."

Six teams— St. Lawrence College, Sheridan College SAIT, Seneca College, College of the North Atlantic, and Cégep de Victoriaville—made it to the finals where they were asked once again to analyze and present a new case.

2014 Scotiabank Awards were also awarded to the 12 teams who took top honours in round one-SAIT, Cégep de Victoriaville, Sheridan College, St. Lawrence College, College of the North Atlantic, Seneca College, Collège Ahuntsic, Vanier College, Collège Lionel Groulx, Cégep André-Laurendeau, St. Claire College, and Okanagan College.

"I'm always impressed by the students' enthusiasm and ability to think on their feet," said Michel Bergeron, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs, BDC. "Their participation in this case competition offers them practical business experience that can be applied to many of their personal and future professional pursuits."

Colleges from across Canada were represented by teams of students, many of whom won local competitions in their college or province in order to compete in the case challenge. The standards are high and the contest is a great platform for the competitors to prove themselves.

Vanier College is also very proud of its home team consisting of Molly Biswas, Angelyna Sanon, Cosmin Zainea, and Matthew Ventura coached by David Moscovitz and Jessica Andrews.

"Their passion, dedication, hard work, and outstanding performance led to a well-deserved Scotiabank Award," added Mr. Moscovitz.

The Business Development of Canada (BDC) is the principal sponsor of the Vanier College BDC Case Challenge.

About the Vanier College BDC Case Challenge
Now in its 9th year, the Case Challenge gives business students the opportunity to develop skills and gain experience in presenting solutions to some of today's marketing challenges.
http://www.vaniercollege.qc.ca/business-administration/official-case-challenge

About BDC
Canada's business development bank, BDC puts entrepreneurs first. With almost 2,000 employees and more than 100 business centres across the country, BDC offers financing, subordinate financing, venture capital, securitization and consulting services to more than 28,000 small and medium-sized companies. Their success is vital to Canada's economic prosperity. www.bdc.ca

Image with caption: "2014 Vanier College BDC Case Challenge Gold Winners (CNW Group/Business Development Bank of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140211_C9086_PHOTO_EN_36544.jpg

SOURCE: Business Development Bank of Canada

For further information:

Marguerite Corriveau
Vanier Communications Officer
[phone] ext. 7596
[e-mail]

Maria Constantinescu
Senior Advisor, Public Relations-BDC
[phone]
[e-mail]