October 10, 2013

Medicine Hat, Alberta (October 10, 2013): On October 21, 2013, at Medicine Hat College (MHC), from 6 to 9 p.m. the public is invited to attend the finale of the Innovate Tournament; a competition that was launched on Friday, September 27 to students enrolled in MHC’s entrepreneurial experience course, administrative office professional program as well as Eagle Butte High School’s Entrepreneur Club.

As part of the Innovate Tournament, teams are given an everyday household object and asked to use it in innovative ways to create value for people, the environment and economy. This year’s object is a plastic bag. Their ideas will be showcased in a captivating three minute video which will be presented in front of an audience and a panel of judges.

“The evening will take on the atmosphere of a film festival, with 11 to 12 videos being viewed and judged,” said Miranda Davies, a business instructor at MHC. “It will be interesting to see how each team interprets value and what innovative products are created. This tournament will show that a great concept simply comes from looking at an ordinary object, in an extraordinary way- an entrepreneurial way.”

The panel of judges include:  Heather Martin, business development manager from the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYFB); Les and Dawn Postnikoff, owners of Paradise Valley Golf Course; and Jon Sookocheff, manager of the Entrepreneur Development Centre.

Prizes are sponsored by the CYBF and include $600 to the first place winner, $300 for second and $100 for third. The audience will also be asked to judge by text message for the People’s Choice Award. The winners will receive a $40 gift certificate to the Cheesecake Café.

“This is the third time in which we have done this competition, it started in the classroom and now we are opening it up to public, including the business community, to showcase the innovative and talented students we have at MHC,” said Davies.

For more information on the Innovate Tournament or to learn about the programs offered through the business division contact jwilliams@mhc.ab.ca.

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Media contact:

Kendra Borgen
Media Officer
Medicine Hat College
Direct: 403.504.3643
Email:  kborgen@mhc.ab.ca