SFU Beedie to host JDC West, Western Canada’s biggest business competition

SFU students competing at JDC West, which will be hosted by SFU’s Beedie School of Business in 2019

In January 2019, Simon Fraser University will host JDC West, the biggest and most prestigious business competition in Western Canada.

Taking place over three days from January 11 to 13, JDC West will bring approximately 1,300 attendees with 600 undergraduate delegates from 12 of the leading post-secondary institutions across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. In addition to competitors, almost 300 volunteers from across the university and the wider community in Burnaby, as well as more than a hundred professional partners, will come together to deliver this major event.

SFU’s Beedie School of Business has been a regular competitor since the first edition of JDC West in 2006, enjoying substantial success over the years, including being named Academic School of the Year in 2013. This will be the first time that SFU has hosted JDC West.

“It is a great honour for SFU to host JDC West, and welcome Western Canada’s best and brightest business students to our beautiful campus,” says Ali Dastmalchian, Dean of SFU Beedie.

“We have been regular participants in JDC West—which many people see as the Olympics of the business school world—since its inception, and have achieved some excellent results. I cannot wait to play host and show the other competing schools what our university has to offer, and I am certain that the student organizing committee and our competing team will do us proud.”

Working alongside university staff, a dedicated committee of senior students and alumni is organizing the event. This involves finding sponsors, developing case studies alongside partner companies, and recruiting volunteer judges and students to support the smooth running of the program. There are many opportunities for companies and individuals to get involved in the event.

“Every year, JDC West unites a tightknit community that celebrates excellence and camaraderie. Since 2006, this competition has been the highlight of thousands of undergraduate student experiences,” says Mavis Lum, Co-Chair of the JDC West 2019 Organizing Committee. “We are enjoying the process of bringing this competition to life at SFU Beedie, and we’re proud to work with so many community partners who are just as excited as we are to see it in January.”

“JDC West is only made possible by the support of many individuals, including partners, faculty, volunteers, and students,” adds Co-Chair Bethany Chan. “Please visit our website and find out how you can be part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”