FedEx Nurtures the Next Generation of Kiwi Entrepreneurs

FedEx Nurtures the Next Generation of Kiwi Entrepreneurs

Auckland, June 12, 2012 - Massey University Albany will be abuzz with energy, enthusiasm and excitement when 84 of New Zealand’s young aspiring entrepreneurs take part in the FedEx Express/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (ITC), vying to win one of six places on the New Zealand team to compete at the Asia Pacific Final.

For the fourth year, FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), and the world’s largest express transportation company, together with Young Enterprise Trust, are bringing the best and brightest 16-19-year-olds from around the country to Auckland on 16-18th June.

Placed in teams, the students will be asked to come up with a market entry plan, product prototype and multimedia presentation all within a few hours. They will then present to a judging panel that includes Duncan Bridgeman, National Business Review news editor; Andrew Patterson, Radio Live business editor; Lee Davies, FedEx country manager New Zealand and Pacific Islands, FedEx representatives Tony Dixon and Garrick Thompson, and Chuck Slogrove and Paul Minors, previous FedEx ITC Asia Pacific winners.

The winning students will then represent New Zealand in the FedEx ITC Asia-Pacific regional final held in Hong Kong in August, a challenge the New Zealand team won two years ago. Before heading to Hong Kong, the six finalists will participate in a two-day training workshop in late July at the FedEx facility in Auckland to prepare them for the Asia-Pacific regional final.

The FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge is designed to hone business knowledge, build confidence and help students gain an understanding of risk taking, world trade, product distribution and promotion through teamwork.

Kim Garner, managing director, FedEx Australasia says the FedEx ITC is about fostering entrepreneurial skills to help set students onto the path to success in the global business world.

“FedEx is proud to be sponsoring the International Trade Challenge in New Zealand for the fourth year. The program aims to help cultivate the business minds of future entrepreneurs. We believe our participation helps deliver key values to the students, and provides them with the opportunity to acquire important real-life skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication, interpersonal negotiation, marketing, and public-speaking.”

Now in its sixth year in Asia Pacific, FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge has benefitted over 6,000 students in nine Asia Pacific countries, including 307 students from over 100 schools in New Zealand, with invaluable insight into global trade.

Details:
When: 16 June 2012 8.45am – 9pm
18 June TEAM NZ announced – 8-10am

Where: Massey University, Albany, Auckland

Key Dates FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge:
Stage 1, June 16-18: 84 NZ students compete in regional heat in Auckland

Stage 2, 28-29 July: Team NZ attend a two-day workshop in Auckland to hone their skills

Stage 3, 26-29 August: Team of six represent NZ in Hong Kong at the Asia Pacific finals

www.fedex.com

ENDS

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