Listen Here
By Eli Schroeder, SchroederE2@Findlay.edu
A team of four business students from the University of Findlay traveled to Las Vegas from Feb. 23-25 to compete in the National Grocers Association (NGA) Show, where they networked, learned from industry experts, and tested their skills against teams from 12 other universities.
From Feb. 23-25, the National Grocers Association (NGA) Show and Educational Competition took place in Las Vegas, hosted at the Caesars Forum Convention Center. Students developed and presented a case study. The University sent these students with support from sponsors like AR Marketing.
Professor Eric Stoller, the trip’s chaperone, shared that this was the University’s 10th year at the NGA Show, offering students the chance to step out of their comfort zones and engage with grocery business professionals.
“We usually bring four students who are either recommended or have an interest in the grocery market,” Stoller said. “I like to bring someone who attended the previous year as an overlap and a veteran to the team. That way, at least one student has seen the convention before and dealt with the case studies, so they know what to expect.”
Stoller also spoke on the impact and benefits of the trip, highlighting the real-world experience and exposure to industry challenges that both corporate and private grocery businesses face daily.
“There are vendors, store owners, and business leaders set up across the convention for students to meet, interact with, network, and build their knowledge of the grocery industry and business in general,” Stoller said. “Pepsi also hosted the annual Best Bagger Competition, so students got the chance to have fun and interact with others from different schools aside from the case competition itself.”
This year, the event featured 340 exhibitors, offering students and other attendees a range of networking opportunities and industry insights.
Dimitrije Guzina was one of the rookies on the team.
“I was excited but also a little nervous. Representing my school as the finance student for our team was a big responsibility, and I wanted to make sure I brought my best to the table,” Guzina said. “The conference itself was an awesome experience. I got to meet a ton of people, listen to industry experts, and see how other schools approached business challenges. It was definitely eye-opening.”
Guzina also encouraged other students to take advantage of this opportunity.
“If you’re interested in finance, business, or strategy, this is an amazing opportunity,” Guzina said. “You get to challenge yourself, build teamwork and presentation skills, and network with professionals. Plus, representing your school on a big stage is something you’ll always remember. It’s a trip that pushes you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible.”
