Oct. 11, 2006 – Four University of the Virgin Islands students will present verbal business plans about opening a national ice cream franchise at a business exposition. The presentations will be made at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, at the Reichhold Center for the Arts. The business expo is sponsored by UVI's Future Business Leaders of America, Phi Beta Lambda student organization. They are all business majors, who will give their business ideas, plans and strategies for opening a Maggie Moo's Ice Cream and Treatery in the territory. Competing will be Shanitta Bedminster, Okeamo Freeman, Sharifa Skelton and Marcel Thomas.
The winner will be selected by a panel of judges made up of community members. The winner will be eligible to represent UVI in the national competition at the FBLA-PBL National Leadership Conference and Competition. The national winner will receive the options of a $10,000 scholarship or a Maggie Moo's franchise, worth $30,000. In preparation for the expo, the students have been consulting with Beverly and Ali Petrus, owners of the St. Thomas/St. John Subway franchises, Business Communication Prof. Utha Williams and Business Law Prof. Elmo Adams.
The expo will also feature nationally acclaimed motivational speaker Byron Garrett. He is the owner of the LIFE (Leadership is Fundamental Everyday) Institute, which educates, empowers and energizes audiences, with a focus on challenging thoughts, changing minds and encouraging commitment. Garrett has co-authored three books, including the popular "The ABC's of Life" and has written four other books. He serves as the liaison to the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
UVI students, business people and the entire community are invited.
Tickets for the business expo are $15 and are available at the Reichhold Center, Modern Music, V.I. Bridal & Tuxedo, Parrot Fish and Urban Threads. Seating is open. Other sponsors of the event include WSTA Radio 1340 AM.
For more information, contact Prof. Aurelia Donald at 693-1316.
