First year is sweet for Virtual Enterprise class

Students in Byron-Bergen's new Virtual Enterprise class, "Sweets 'N' Treats, participated in their first Virtual Trade Fair hosted by Genesee Community College. Pictured are class members (left to right): Alyssa D'Errico (kneeling), Caitlyn McGrath, Marissa List, Tyler Logan, Kristina Englert, Kelly Hogan, Stefanie Kuhlewindt, Stephen DiGregorio, Leann Wood, Nicholas Mieney, Jesse Craig, Wane DeVelder, Kenneth Cassidy, James Elliott, Dakota Speed, Joseph Bruton, and Jennifer Desiderio, Business Teacher. Not pictured: Brandi Clark.

First year is sweet for Virtual Enterprise class

The employees of Byron-Bergen Sweets 'N' Treats have been working over the past three months to create and develop their virtual business. A virtual Trade Fair hosted by Genesee Community College simulated an actual Trade Fair where each company is responsible for creating and designing their booth and product display, marketing and selling the product, and taking orders. Virtual companies compete on several levels for best booth, marketing strategies, product catalogue, and highest sales. "Customers" that enter are given $3,000 virtual dollars to spend and it is up to the employees to persuade them to spend it at their booth.

The Marketing Department of Sweets 'N' Treats designed a booth backdrop to look like a gingerbread house. The company's products such as sponge candy, chocolate covered strawberries, and chocolate suckers were displayed on a table designed to look like a wrapped piece of candy, the Sweets 'N' Treats logo. Employees enticed customers to sample candies and chocolate or to dip a marshmallow, pretzel, or strawberry into the flowing milk chocolate fountain.

In addition to the Trade Fair, Sweets 'N' Treats earned a place as a Business Plan finalist and employees Nicholas Mieney, Caitlin McGrath, Stephen DiGregorio and Jesse Craig represented the company in the Oral Business Plan competition. Of the 26 firms that participated, Sweets 'N' Treats placed fourth in the Business Plan competition and third in Marketing Strategies, an outstanding accomplishment for a new company in the Virtual Enterprise program, according to the district representatives.

The Virtual Trade Fair is just one of the activities in which students in a Virtual Enterprise class participate. Employees also participate in a Professional Day and an end of the year business competition. For information on Virtual Enterprise visit the regional Web site at: http://verr.info.