My QMAC 2023 Delegate Experience
By: Chloe Petteplace
Applying for the 2023 Queen's Marketing Association conference in my first year was a leap into the unknown, but looking back, I'm so glad I did — it has been one of the most impactful professional experiences I've had in the Queen's Commerce program so far. I wanted to give the QMAC 2024 delegates exclusive insight into what the weekend looks like!
As a Queen's student, I started my QMAC journey by riding a coach bus from Kingston to the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Toronto. Upon arrival, we checked in and had a few hours to explore the city and unbox our delegate bags (included in the delegate fee) — filled to the brim with product samples from our amazing sponsors, ranging from snacks and skincare to hygiene products and stationery. One of the things that differentiates QMA from other commerce clubs at Queen's is their extensive network with CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) companies, which was evident in the incredible delegate bags.
That evening, a Marketing Director of PepsiCo delivered a keynote speech about her journey from undergraduate studies to her current role. She also gave us a glimpse into her team's innovative work rebranding the Pepsi logo on soda cans. It was insightful to hear how she navigated different career pivots, but what stood out most was her and her team members' genuine passion when they answered questions from the delegates and spoke about their experiences in marketing.
The next morning, we enjoyed a lovely breakfast before participating in the Marketing Trade Show. QMA put a lot of effort into bringing a diverse range of companies to offer delegates exclusive opportunities to network with recruiters for summer 2024 internships. Walking into the room, I was struck by the variety of product and service offerings. As someone passionate about the food industry, I spoke with recruiters from PepsiCo and Unilever, while my friends connected with representatives from L'Oréal for skincare and RBC for banking services. There was truly something for everyone. Another notable experience that day was when the Vice President of Brand at Telus spoke about managing the Telus brand and their environmental initiatives. In today's business climate, consumers expect brands to lead in social welfare and environmental stewardship. Her speech really resonated with me and inspired me to make a positive impact during my time in the industry.
The following day, we had our Marketing Case Competition, sponsored by P&G. We were given four shampoo brands under the P&G umbrella and tasked with creating a marketing brief to revamp one of the brands. This was my first case competition, but I was fortunate to be paired with several upper-year students and a member of the QMA executive team who mentored me throughout the process. I truly valued the technical experience gained from presenting our case to actual P&G representatives. This experience also prepared me for the case competition in COMM 101-A a month later.
That evening, we concluded the conference with a fireside chat featuring the Senior Vice President & Managing Director of NBA Canada, which was undoubtedly a highlight of the weekend. Hearing about her journey from the early stages of her career to becoming a leader in such a competitive and male-dominated industry was incredibly inspiring. It was a privilege to hear her story, and her words left a lasting impact on everyone in the room—an amazing way to end the conference on a high note.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed learning from the diverse speakers featured at QMAC throughout the weekend, as each offered valuable advice on succeeding in marketing and business careers. I also appreciated the numerous opportunities to network with company recruiters and knowledgeable upper-year students who provided insightful guidance on navigating my undergraduate journey. My experience at QMAC was so positive that I added QMA to my list of clubs to apply for during March hiring. I highly recommend QMAC to any student interested in learning more about the marketing industry.