Business Reality Show Winner to Speak at USU Seminar

The 18th Annual Utah State University Partners in Business Customer Service and Marketing Seminar features Sean Yazbeck, winner of the 2006 television show, The Apprentice.

The seminar, hosted by USU’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, is Oct. 8 and 9, at the Eccles Conference Center on the USU campus. It also features executive vice president and creative director at R&R Partners, Randy Snow; and president and CEO of Ogio, Mike Pratt.

 

As winner of The Apprentice in 2006, Yazbeck was selected by Donald Trump to oversee development of the five-star hotel, Trump SoHo, in New York City. Yazbeck’s extensive sales expertise allowed him to become director of sales for the $500 million project. Yazbeck also made decisions on every aspect of the hotel ranging from the haute couture designed furniture to the provision of the computer system network, according to Cameron Oliver, student coordinator of the event.

 

As vice president of R&R Partners, Snow is an expert on destination marketing, Oliver said.

 

“He’s been creating and implementing marketing campaigns for 25 years,” Oliver said. “He was head of the design team that created the breakout success, ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’ campaign for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.”

 

Pratt is the founder and CEO of the Utah phenomenon OGIO, a company that makes duffels and packs loaded with special features. In 2001, he received Ernst & Young's coveted “Entrepreneur of the Year” award.

 

Other experts speaking at the event include top executives from companies including SkyWest Airlines, Procter and Gamble, Intermountain Health Care, Albertsons, Comcast, Mindshare Technologies and the Hispanic Marketing Group.

 

Partners in Business is a non-profit organization in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. The organization is managed by USU students under the direction of Ken Snyder, executive director of executive education and associate director of graduate programs. The program began in 1970 as a way to better connect business students with their future employers.

 

Tickets are still available for the two-day seminar. Attendance for USU faculty and students is free. To register, visit the Web site, or call 800-472-9965.