Sales Pitch Competition: Pitch. Persuade. Win.

A great idea is only as powerful as your ability to communicate its value. Join us to learn principles of professional selling. As part of Dal Innovation Week, this interactive Sales Pitch Competition will challenge participants to put their ideas, products, or solutions to the ultimate test: Can you sell it? Led by Matthew Nicolle, CEO of Sales Training Experts and President of the Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP) Canada (full bio below), the session will combine practical sales coaching with fast-paced, engaging sales best practices. Participants will strengthen one of the most important skills in entrepreneurship: the ability to sell an idea. Register today and learn how to turn an idea into a compelling sales conversation by identifying customer needs, communicating a clear value proposition, handling questions and objections, and confidently asking for the next step. Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026 Location: Room 4055, Kenneth C. Rowe Management Building Time: Doors open at 1:00 pm Session: 1:30 - 3:30 pm Q&A: 3:30 - 4:00 pm What Participants Will Learn • How to move beyond describing a product and communicate customer value • How to map a buyers journey and align with your selling process • How to identify the customer's problem and connect a solution directly to their needs • How to develop and communicate a strong value proposition • How to build credibility and confidence when pitching Dalhousie's Open Learning and Career Development Office is a proud part of Dal Innovation Week, a celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation at Dalhousie University October 5-9. For more events visit dalinnovationweek.ca ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Should you have any accessibility needs or concerns, please contact [email protected]. NOTE: By attending this event, you agree to be photographed and/or filmed, and give permission to the hosting organizations to use your image in promotional and/or marketing materials. If you're unable to attend any of our events please take a minute and cancel your ticket. This allows our events team to better prepare for every event. Matthew Nicolle, MBA | CSL | CSP | F.ISP Sales Strategist | Educator | Industry Leader Matthew Nicolle is a nationally recognized sales strategist, educator, and the CEO of Sales Training Experts, one of Canada’s leading sales consulting firms. With a track record of driving revenue growth, building high-performance teams, and navigating complex enterprise sales cycles, Matthew brings a unique blend of practical experience and strategic insight to the world of professional selling. He has successfully led sales teams across both established corporations and innovative startups. Matthew’s leadership is marked by his ability to forge meaningful partnerships, close high-value deals, and elevate organizational sales performance. Matthew currently serves as the President of the Institute of Sales Professionals (ISP) Canada, following his tenure as an Executive Ambassador for the Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA). He is also an adjunct professor at the University of New Brunswick – Saint John, where he teaches in Canada’s first graduate-level Business Development and Professional Sales stream within the MBA program. He holds an MBA from the University of New Brunswick, along with the Certified Sales Leader (CSL) and Certified Sales Professional (CSP) designations with distinction from the CPSA. He is also a Founding Fellow of the Institute of Sales Professionals (FF.ISP). Matthew’s passion for advancing the sales profession through education and strategic consulting continues to make him a sought-after voice in the field.