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
ENDS