The brightest minds in business will be coming to Lethbridge's two post-secondary institutions this weekend to discuss the future of business education and solve some real world problems.

Lethbridge College is co-hosting the seventh annual Alberta Deans of Business Case Competition with the University of Lethbridge Faculty of Management on Friday and Saturday.

This event brings teams of Alberta's best business students and deans of business schools from across the province to the City of Lethbridge, where the deans will hold their annual spring meeting and students will immerse themselves in a case study requiring them to develop solutions for real world business problems.

The event will also showcase business programs and opportunities at the college and university.

"Lethbridge College is thrilled to be hosting this dynamic event with the University of Lethbridge," says Dennis Sheppard, dean of Applied Management at Lethbridge College. "This competition brings together the best business students in the province who will get great hands-on experience solving the kind of problem facing real businesses today.

"Like much of the work we do at the college, the Case Competition is a chance to put theory into practice," adds Sheppard. "We can't wait to watch the students get to work."

"We are very pleased to be involved with this event as a partner with Lethbridge College," says Dr. Bob Ellis, the dean of the U of L Faculty of Management "Sharing our facilities with students from across the province is something we are proud to do, alongside meeting with our colleagues to catch up on the latest trends in our profession."

The competition begins Friday morning when teams will receive the case and will be locked in "war rooms" from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to analyze and prepare a solution.

On Saturday, students will deliver 12-minute oral presentations before an audience and panel of industry professional judges in pursuit of cash prizes totaling $8,000.

The awards are offered thanks to a generous sponsorship by the Certified General Accountants' Association of Alberta (CGA Alberta).