Honors from Huhtamaki Sales Competition drives Mizzou business students to think ‘inside’ the box

By Kathy Deters

Nov. 19, 2025

The right food packaging can reduce waste, save money, protect food quality, enhance the consumer experience and even trigger a sense of nostalgia. Four students from the University of Missouri’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business recently proved the power of marketing and sales strategy by thinking “inside” the box. Their approach paid off with first- and second-place finishes, as well as an award in the Elevator Pitch competition.

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 invited students to pitch innovative food packaging solutions to meet a company’s needs.

The multi-day competition, held at Huhtamaki headquarters in De Soto, Kansas, included a facility tour, product research, pitches and meetings with a vice president and the CEO. The event culminated in a final round that seated the student at a conference table with the buyer and three judges for a conversation livestreamed to the rest of the conference.

Daniels, a marketing major from Vernon Hills, Illinois, who will graduate in December, credits her first-place win to the experience she gained from last year’s competition and to her business coursework at Trulaske.

“I have learned so much in my sales classes,” she said. “The roleplays that we did in classes like Personal Selling and Advanced Sales mirror the conversations we had in the competition. 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 placed second, said her Trulaske classes helped her recognize different personality types and tailor her approach to each buyer. She added that experience-centered learning opportunities, such as the Huhtamaki Sales Competition, gave her valuable opportunities to apply her skills and succeed beyond the classroom.

“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,” she said. “Plus, they give you the chance to meet industry professionals and learn more about different career paths.” 

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,” Natalie Thomas, an assistant teaching professor of marketing and executive director of the Center for Sales and Customer Development, said. “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.”