What: The Wharton School is pleased to harness its entrepreneurial, analytical and communications talent to support the City of Philadelphia’s efforts to bid for Amazon’s second headquarters. Two complementary contests for students are now launched: a Writing Competition conceived by the Wharton Communication Program and the Amazon HQ Case Competition developed by Wharton undergraduate students. A celebratory Final presentation event on October 13 on the Penn campus will feature Mayor James Kenney, Wharton student presenters and Wharton deans. (Note: Amazon is not a sponsor of either contest.)
When: October 13, 2017, 10:00 a.m. -12:00 noon
Where: Hoover Lounge, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
How: Registration is required to cover this event. Email communications@wharton.upenn.edu with your coverage interest
Event Timeline
| 9:40am | Hoover Lounge doors open, Check-In |
| 10:00am |
Laura Gao, Wharton Undergraduate Senior, Introduction & Welcoming Remarks · Welcome Mayor Kenney |
| 10:10am | Mayor Kenney’s Remarks |
| 10:15am | Laura – Welcome’s Penn Communication Program director, Lisa Warshaw for recognition of Wharton Amazon Writing Competition finalists |
| 10:20am | Amazon HQ2 to Philly Case Competition finalists participate in photo opp with Mayor
Introduction of Judges and the competition itself |
| 10:30am – 11:20am | Case Competition Finalists Teams Present (10 minutes per team, 4 teams) |
| 11:20am | Judges exit for deliberations, Vice Dean Lori Rosenkopf’s thank you & open reception |
| 11:40am | Winner is announced |
| 12:00pm | Reception & Event end |
Additional detail/Contest 1: Amazon HQ2 to Philly Case Competition
The Sign.al (a student publication) and MUSE (a Penn marketing club) are hosting a case competition for students to pitch a proposal to the Mayor of Philadelphia. Teams of 2-4 enter under one of these subtopics:
1. Financial and tax incentives
2. Talent base and employee life incentives
3. Strategic tech-focused incentives
4. Current and new legal incentives
Timeline
- Oct. 4–All submissions due
- Oct. 4 to Oct. 8 (Fall Break) – Judging professors score and choose finalists
- Oct. 13, morning–Finals presentation
- Oct. 13, afternoon-Case competition winners announced
- Oct. 19–deadline for cities to submit proposals to Amazon
Additional detail/Contest 2: Wharton Amazon Writing Competition
Given that Wharton, Amazon, and Philadelphia all pride themselves on their strong writing cultures, the Wharton Communication Program has developed a business-themed writing competition that allows Wharton students to advocate for Philadelphia—the city that wrote the nation into being—in a way that highlights this shared commitment to the written word.
The competition consists of two contests, one for Wharton undergraduates and one for MBAs. Judges will consider four criteria when reading submissions, which should range from 500-750 words each:
- Logical structure
- Strong supporting arguments
- Engaging style
- Overall persuasiveness
Timeline
- 5 – All submissions due
- Week of Oct. 8 (Fall Break) – Finalists will be selected by a distinguished panel of journalists, and will have their memos reviewed by the proposal team at Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce
- Oct. 13, Finals presentation
- Oct. 19–deadline for cities to submit proposals to Amazon
To register contact Peter Winicov, Director, Wharton Media Relations at +1-215-746-6471 or winicov@wharton.upenn.edu.
About the Wharton School
Founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is recognized globally for intellectual leadership and ongoing innovation across every major discipline of business education. With a broad global community and one of the most published business school faculties, Wharton creates economic and social value around the world. The School has 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students; more than 9,000 participants in executive education programs annually and a powerful alumni network of 96,000 graduates.
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