The fifth Marriott School Web Site Competition hosted by the Rollins Center for eBusiness at Brigham Young University is getting a face-lift this semester, creating a more challenging and competitive race to produce not only Web sites but also strategic plans for three Utah businesses. The finalists, selected by representatives from the businesses, will win up to $3,200.
In previous competitions, Web sites were judged primarily on professional appearance, functionality and infrastructure. However, the fall 2004 competition will also require students to create an e-business strategy to accompany their Web site.
"This year's competition is more strategic than artistic," says Douglas Witt, faculty adviser for the competition. "Web site design is only a small aspect of e-business. We want the competition to increase students' competency in developing business strategies as well as creating Web sites."
Information regarding the three sponsoring companies will be released Oct. 26. A kick-off meeting with company representatives will be Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. in 267 Richards Building. "The first meeting is to help with strategy," says Michael Pope, e-business Center student competition director. "In the past, e-business Center administrators and company representatives would create the competition specifications. This time the students will help company representatives make the plan."
The Web sites and strategic plans are due at noon on Nov. 29. Registration is open to individuals or teams through Oct. 28 on the competition's Web site, ebusiness.byu.edu/websitecomp. The final judging will take place "American Idol style" Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in 2170 Jesse Knight Humanities Building where the three finalists for each company will present their plans and company representatives will select the winners.
A complete calendar of events, competition requirements and details are available on the competition's Web site.
Writer: Cari Thomas
