The Next CEO: Smeal Today. Corner Office Tomorrow.

Shaping tomorrow's leaders by challenging them to cope with and react to the driving forces that will transform the business world.

The Next CEO Competition

April 21, 2008 at The Penn Stater, 7:00 p.m.

The Next CEO (formerly Smeal Survivor) follows the format presented here:

• Nine to twelve student “CEOs” participate in the event. They must strategically manage their firm in an effort to maximize profitability and create shareholder value amid a changing global landscape.
• Four to five judges including faculty, administrators, corporate executives, and a moderator ask questions in relation to how the participants guide their organizations in the face of a surprise revolution.
• There are three rounds to the competition with three survivors and one champion that emerges.

Prior to the event:

• All Smeal students are encouraged to apply.  Candidates will be diverse, including Smeal or Schreyer business majors, international studies, and liberal arts students.
• Judges and student “CEOs” will attend a presentation on the Seven Revolutions and the students will be given their companies and event information.

At the event:

• Audience members (students, faculty, staff, administrators, corporate representatives, and the media) will be briefed on the Seven Revolutions at the start of the event.
• The student “CEOs” must be able to think on their feet and respond to questions related to possible revolutions and variations on those revolutions.
• Participants will be voted off by a panel of  judges and other participants.

Prizes for the event have included:

• First Place: $2,000 PNC/Visa gift card sponsored by PNC.
• Second Place: Laptop from Johnson & Johnson.
• Third Place: $300 Shell gift card and a $300 Best Buy gift card.