Honors from Huhtamaki: Sales competition drives Trulaske students to think ‘inside’ the box

The right food packaging can reduce waste, save money, protect the quality of our food, enhance the consumer’s experience, and even trigger a sense of nostalgia (think McDonald’s Boo Buckets). Four students from the University of Missouri’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business recently proved the importance of putting marketing and sales strategy to good use by thinking “inside” the box.

Mary Daniels, Katelyn Sieh, Jonah Gardberg and Nathaniel Scott-Negrette represented Trulaske in the 2025 Huhtamaki Sales Competition, facing off against teams from Kansas State and the University of Kansas in a unique challenge that invites students to pitch a new food packaging solution to address a company’s needs. 

The multi-day competition includes a tour of the facility, product research, pitches, and meetings with a VP and CEO, culminating in a final round that puts the student at a conference table with the buyer and three judges for a conversation that’s livestreamed to the rest of the conference.

“It’s tough,” said Daniels, a marketing major from Vernon Hills, Illinois, who is graduating in December. “You can really feel the pressure during that third round because everyone is watching you.”

Daniels credits her first-place win to the experience she gained from participating in last year’s competition, as well as her coursework in the Trulaske College of Business.

“I have learned so much in my sales classes. The roleplays that we did in classes like Personal Selling and Advanced Sales mirror the conversations we had in the competition,” Daniels said. “Through the Sales Certificate program, I've learned how to think on my feet, handle objections, and successfully close to earn the win in any sales scenario.”

Sieh, a native of O’Fallon, Missouri, who took home second place, said her Trulaske classes helped her notice different personality types and tailor her approach to each buyer. Experience-centered learning opportunities like the Huhtamaki Sales Competition provide students with a valuable opportunity to excel and succeed beyond their coursework, she added.

“They help build confidence and develop skills that don’t come from a textbook, especially for students who might not shine on a test but excel in a presentation,” Sieh said. “Plus, they give you the chance to meet industry professionals and learn more about different career paths. Networking is so important!” 

To help the team prepare, Trulaske’s Center for Sales and Customer Development held weekly sales meetings so students could receive coaching from corporate partners. Competitors were also paired one-on-one with a sales coach for additional personalized feedback and practice. 

The preparation paid off. In addition to Daniels’ and Sieh’s first and second place wins, Gardberg took home an award for the Elevator Pitch competition.

“Our students are exceptionally well-prepared because of the emphasis we place on experience-centered learning, professionalism, and relationship building,” said Natalie Thomas, an assistant teaching professor of marketing and executive director of the Center for Sales and Customer Development. “They have regular exposure to corporate partners throughout the semester, so they’re comfortable interacting with industry professionals and approaching each situation with confidence and curiosity.”

Huhtamaki is a key global player in food and beverage packaging solutions, with U.S. headquarters in De Soto, Kansas. Huhtamaki’s products offer consumers convenience, food safety, food availability and food waste reduction through packaging technology innovation, with an emphasis on sustainability. For Daniels, going behind the scenes on the facility tour was the highlight of the experience.

“That day, they were making ice cream containers for Target's ice cream brand, Favorite Day,” Daniels said. “It's so cool to see the packaging being produced because next time I go to buy my ice cream from Target, I'll know where the packaging came from.”

Mizzou’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business prepares students for success as global citizens, business leaders, scholars, innovators and entrepreneurs by providing access to transformative technologies, offering experience-centered learning opportunities and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.