Top students to represent New Zealand in Bangkok in August

FedEx Media Alert:

Top students to represent New Zealand at 2011 Asia Pacific FedEx / Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge

– Six students selected to compete for New Zealand in Bangkok in August –

Auckland, New Zealand, June 20, 2011 – New Zealand’s entrepreneurial future looks promising following the results of the regional heat of the FedEx/ Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (ITC) held at Massey University’s Albany Campus over the weekend. Today, FedEx and Young Enterprise Trust announced six finalists, chosen to represent New Zealand at the 2011 Asia Pacific FedEx / Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge in Bangkok from August 24 – 26.

The New Zealand representatives will be competing for the coveted title of Asia Pacific champions alongside seven other Asia Pacific countries, and their 42 representatives. They include:
1. Lucy Campion (17 years old) – St Cuthberts College, Auckland
2. Jaden Milligan (17 years old) – Christchurch Boys High School, Christchurch
3. Jake Mickleson (18 years old)– John Paul College, Rotorua
4. Tehya Reardon (16 years old) – St Cuthberts College, Auckland
5. Sam Mackwell (16 years old) – St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch
6. Benjamin Reynolds (17years old)– Westlake Boys High School, Auckland

The response to the local competition was extremely positive with 74 top high school students participating. These students were set the task of producing a wool based product and developing a market strategy to export that product to Sweden. After a grueling Saturday, the budding entrepreneurs aged between 16-19, presented ideas to the judging panel in hope of making the final six. Business proposals ranged from ‘Woolpaper’; a wallpaper that doubles as insulation while also being fire resistant, to woolen gloves made with a fabric that enables people to use their smart phones with their gloves on. Given the Swedish have a reputation for loving the ‘great outdoors’, groups also recommended a merino tent liner that regulates the tents temperature and a biodegradable fuel canister for camp cookers.

The two finalist teams of three students each were selected by votes from FedEx Express mentors, staff from Young Enterprise Trust, corporate hosts of the nine student teams and the students themselves. Terry Shubkin, Chief Executive of Young Enterprise Trust, said these six students were selected based upon the judge’s observations, mentor feedback and student voting.

Lee Davies, FedEx country manager, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, and one of the five judges, said there was a high standard of innovation and content from every team.

“There is exceptional talent emerging through the next generation of entrepreneurs. Not only were we all impressed by the immense creativity of these young students but also their exceptional team work,” said Mr. Davies. He continued, “The students come from all over the country and are placed in a nerve-racking environment and required to work under enormous pressure. They are not only faced with the business challenge but also coping with new group dynamics”. They all worked very professionally and made high-quality decisions which, given the time constraint, was really pleasing to see”.

The six finalists will regroup in early August for the FedEx/ Junior Achievement ITC Weekend Workshop, where they will develop a uniquely New Zealand product and prepare to market it to the world. The students will be mentored by experts from various disciplines in preparation for the week-long regional competition in Bangkok in August.

The International Trade Challenge is in its fifth year in Asia Pacific and this is the third year FedEx is sponsoring the program in New Zealand. FedEx sponsorship has provided 4,344 students in nine Asia Pacific countries, including 152 students from 120 schools in New Zealand, with invaluable insight into global trade.
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Key Dates FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge:
Stage 2: August 6 – 7 6 finalists participate in a training workshop at FedEx Express New Zealand Head Office in Auckland
Stage 3: August 24 -27 Team of six represent New Zealand in Bangkok at the Asia Pacific finals

About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is one of the world's largest express transportation companies, providing fast and reliable delivery to every U.S. address and to more than 220 countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee*.
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About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $38 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 290,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.

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