Here’s the pitch: Experience the exhilaration of real-world finance at the 2023 RGIP Annual Showcase! 

Hosted on Nov. 2 by Stetson’s renowned Roland George Investments Program, this year’s event is set to ignite the world of sell-side stock recommendations like never before.

Dive into an enthralling journey as the brightest minds from the School of Business Administration unveil months of meticulous research, analyzing the potential of various companies right before your eyes. 

These skilled students will be pitching their insightful assessments to RGIP trustees, fellow students, faculty, staff and the wider community in a dynamic interchange of ideas and rigorous thought.

But brace yourself: This isn’t just any trustee meeting. It’s a revolutionized showcase of raw talent and financial acumen, where each of the five potent presentations, streamlined to a crisp 20 minutes, promises a fast-paced, intellectually stimulating experience. These sessions are meticulously crafted not only to exhibit the students’ prowess in identifying promising investment opportunities but also their flair for distilling complex financial jargon into engaging, easily digestible information.

So, prepare for an evening where education meets entertainment, where financial analysis meets captivating storytelling. It’s not just a presentation; it’s a performance, complete with an inviting atmosphere of mingling and light snacks before the curtain rises.

Amplifying the excitement this year, the 2023 RGIP Annual Showcase introduces a thrilling competitive edge: Attendees will wield the power to determine the victors! That’s right — this time, your vote influences which presentations and strategies reign supreme.

As these financial gladiators clash in the arena of investment strategies, showcasing their analytical prowess and persuasive skills, every guest becomes a judge, every perception matters, and every vote contributes to crowning the champions. The stakes? Bragging rights, professional recognition and — to turn up the heat — cash prizes.

This electrifying addition transforms the showcase from a mere exhibition of skill into a battlefield of intellect and strategy, where students not only strive for academic and professional excellence but also engage the audience in their journey, vying for their approval and support.

Be part of an event where finance transcends figures and charts, morphing into something vivid, tangible, and utterly compelling. Students, seize this chance to earn Cultural Credit for your attendance!

The event is scheduled 6-8:30 p.m. in the Stetson Room at the Carlton Union Building. 

That’s the pitch.

“What we aim for is beyond a mere display of expertise,” asserts Matt Hurst, PhD, Stetson’s associate professor of Finance and director of the Roland George Investments Institute. “We’re transforming this showcase into a riveting narrative that speaks to everyone, irrespective of their financial background. It’s about making the intricate realms of investment relatable and thrilling to all. More than that, for our students, it’s a transformative learning experience, equipping them with the confidence to command attention in any board meeting or beyond.”

Established in 1980, the Roland George Program is a living testament to experiential learning, made possible by Sarah George in memory of her husband. It embodies Roland’s conviction that true learning occurs through hands-on investment decision-making. Here, students are entrusted with a staggering $5 million portfolio, employing cutting-edge research tools from Bloomberg, Reuters, Morningstar, and Baseline to craft and defend their investment “pitches.”

‘History Being Made’

While this marks the 13th public trustee meeting, it’s the dawn of a groundbreaking format. 

“Witness history being made,” Hurst adds. 

Teams of three students will present on five companies: 

• Devin Shaffer, Isabella Thomsen and Jonathan Gonzalez to present on Cadence Design Systems Inc. (CDNS) 
• Sugeeth Sathish, Georgia Goering and Alonso Tang to present on Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR)
• Jose Valcourt, Rachel Zaremba and Alec Small to present on Super Micro Computer Inc. (SMCI)
• Matt Cooper, Jadyn Prinz and Isaac Choate to present on Baidu Inc. (BIDU)
• Cameron Spence, Beatriz Vossen and Braden Hill to present on Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL)

“Our challenge is to make the information more understandable and digestible for everybody,” says Shaffer, a senior majoring in Investment Finance, Corporate Finance and Management. “I think the success of the event would be having presentations that are engaging for the audience and that the audience enjoys.”

David Mascio, PhD, professor of Applied Investments, believes the event’s altered approach will make it tougher on the students. “They will be tasked with presenting to an audience that for the most part does not have any formal investment training,” Mascio comments. “Therefore, they will have to persuade a non-sophisticated audience in the area of equity investing. 

“Until now, their craft has been honed in the cloisters of professional equity analysis. Now, they must translate that acumen into compelling narratives, into a language that speaks to the uninitiated and the expert alike. It’s their analyst prowess, reimagined for the public square.”

And as the 2023 RGIP Annual Showcase looms, Hurst, with a flair that mirrors the very essence of the event, extends a tantalizing invitation: “Join us for a night where finance becomes more than numbers — it becomes a story, an art, an experience. Welcome to the future of financial showcases!”

Disclaimer: The Roland George Investments Program, including all student participants, does not hold the status of Registered Investment Advisors. Therefore, any insights shared during this event, or as part of the program’s activities, should not be interpreted as professional investment counsel.