Thirty members from Miami University's chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE), a professional business fraternity, participated in a national convention from March 24 to 29 in Norfolk, Va.

The chapter came in at second place at the convention as they competed against chapters from more than 15 different schools, including Louisiana State University, University of Connecticut, Cornell University, University of Toledo, Ball State, University of North Carolina-Wilmington and Purdue University.

"The convention is a way for our members to network with other chapters and business professionals," junior Phil Paquette, president of PSE, said. "We also participate in numerous professional development workshops and compete in various project categories with other chapters."

Miami placed first in 2008, but achieved second place to Northern Iowa University this year.

Miami won more awards than any other chapter this year including first place in Top Business Plan, Top Marketing Plan, Top Sales Project and Top Management Team. Miami also placed second in Top Public Relations Strategy, Special Events Competition, Top Service Project and Top Chapter.

The convention, in which Miami's chapter participates annually, serves as a way for members to network with other PSE chapters as well as with business professionals, who are able to share valuable expertise, according to Garrett D'Ottavio, PSE's former vice president of marketing.

D'Ottavio said several Miami alumni were present this year from companies like P&G and Johnson & Johnson.

The chapter worked throughout the year on several marketing projects and began preparing for nationals in January by entering projects into specific categories. At the convention, members were divided up and given the opportunity to present their various projects.

"$2 T-Shirt Tuesdays," a project created by D'Ottavio, won first place in the Top Sales Project Category.

According to D'Ottavio, the idea was conceived as the group searched for an inexpensive way to help local businesses to get exposure on campus.

"We wanted to sell something with a novelty feel that would also be cheap enough that students would buy it," D'Ottavio said.

As a result, PSE decided to sell a limited number of $2 T-shirts on Slantwalk to promote its first client, Skipper's Pub. The project was a success with all 100 T-shirts selling out in less than seven minutes, according to D'Ottavio.

Aside from designing marketing projects and preparing for nationals, PSE also dedicates time throughout the year to a number of service projects on campus, according to Jonathan Buehner, former PSE president.

This year, the group has raised more than $11,000 for two philanthropies. One benefits Leona Leap, a child from Oxford area born with Cerebral Palsy, and the Starfish Children's Fund, which supports a school for the blind in Calcutta, India.

The group's work throughout the year on these projects reflects its goal of preparing members for the future, according to Buehner.

"This year, our theme was 'strong foundations," Buehner said. "We really wanted to provide members with valuable experience and a competitive advantage that will benefit them as they graduate and move into the business world."

According to Paquette, the group's continued success can be attributed to strong leadership along with the hard work and diverse experiences of members.

"Each member plays a specific role," Paquette said. "The combined backgrounds and experiences contribute to the group as a whole."