The Edwards School of Business case team placed 2nd in the Alberta Energy Challenge (AEC) Case competition held this weekend in Edmonton.  The four members representing the ESB were:

• Michelle Lang (Finance Major)
• Krystyna Olchowecki (HR Major)
• Brandon Hicks (Mgt Major)
• John Irwin (Finance Major)

The ESB team won their pool beating Ryerson and UBC thus earning a spot in the final round of three teams. The three teams competing in the final round were Concordia (who placed first), Edwards School of Business from the UofS (placing second) and Penn State (finishing 3rd).  Other schools participating in the AEC included:

2 teams from the University of Alberta

• Guelph
• Wilfred Laurier
• MacEwan
• Ryerson
• UBC Sauder

The inaugural Alberta Energy Challenge (AEC) was hosted by the University of Alberta School of Business and the Commerce Energy and Environment Group.

The AEC is a business case competition focused on exploring the opportunities and challenges present in the dynamic energy sector. AEC brought together top commerce students from across North America and provided them with an unparalleled opportunity to further develop and explore their interests in energy and the environment.

Teams of four undergraduate students from each participating institution were given 36 hours to research and develop a comprehensive and innovative solution to a real-time challenge faced by an energy firm. An interdisciplinary panel of industry and academic "consultants" was made available to the delegates to augment their understanding of key problems and comment on the feasibility of proposed alternatives. Additionally, the use of publicly available information accessed through the internet as well as the use of University databases was both permitted and actively encouraged. The competition culminated with each team presenting their analysis and ideas to a distinguished panel of judges, including senior representatives of sponsoring firms along with leading professionals in the Alberta energy sector.

The competition was held at the University of Alberta, in Edmonton, Alberta, from September 16th to 19th, 2010.