CaseIT organizers overcome adversity to host another successful virtual competition in 2022

The 2022 CaseIT organizing committee.

This year’s CaseIT competition once again proved a testament to the adaptability and quick thinking of its student organizers. Having to pivot to a virtual conversation just two months before the start of the competition created unique challenges—but the organizers ultimately rose to the occasion and successfully hosted another year of the CaseIT competition at SFU’s Beedie School of Business.

Beginning in 2004 as an internal case competition at SFU Beedie, CaseIT has now expanded globally to become the premier international management information systems (MIS) case competition in the world. It brings together top undergraduate business students, faculty members, industry professionals and a dedicated student-run organizing committee in an annual competition to showcase students’ business acumen on an international stage.

The competition attracts high-calibre business schools from all over the world to compete and network in close collaboration. To date, CaseIT has hosted 936 undergraduate competitors, 49 universities, and 19 countries. 14 universities worldwide competed in this year’s competition, with Maastricht University taking first place, University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management coming second and Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in third place.

“Leading CaseIT has given me the opportunity to grow as a leader, gain hands-on experience and make life-long relationships that I wouldn’t have had otherwise,” says Emily Kim, Chair of CaseIT, who has been involved with the competition for four years. “All of the hard work put into this year was worth it and I couldn’t be prouder of all the work my organizing committee put in. CaseIT has given me four truly amazing years that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”

This year’s online competition had some engaging highlights. The competitors were able to participate in Discover Vancouver, a virtual scavenger hunt through downtown Vancouver that allowed teams to discover some of Vancouver’s iconic landmarks and neighbourhoods through Google Maps.

Teams also participated in MixIT Mocktail Night: competitors were each provided with a mocktail kit, allowing them to unwind and connect with follow competitors over mocktails in a virtual happy hour before the two cases began.

“Organizing CaseIT 2022 was a true test of adaptability for this year’s team,” says Simon Ford, Academic Director for CaseIT. “Seeing the team rapidly respond to the additional challenges and host a world-class virtual case competition was a delight, but even more rewarding for me has been seeing the growth in their leadership and decision-making, and their support for each other.”

For students looking to get involved, applications to join the 2023 CaseIT Organizing Committee will be open May 30, 2022. Please visit the CaseIT website to submit your application.