Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the JA Titan Challenge?
Using Junior Achievement’s high school simulation program, JA Titan, the JA Titan Challenge is a day-long competition which places high school students in the CEO seat to help increase their understanding of business. Young entrepreneurs are taught in an engaging way about the nuances of running a global business in a competitive, high-tech marketplace. Student teams of 2 have complete control of managing and operating their own virtual business and making key decisions. Companies (teams) are challenged to outperform the competition in profit, sales, and market share. 

Is there a prize for the winning team?
Members of the winning team will each receive a $1,500 scholarship for post-secondary education. Members of the second place team will each receive a $750 scholarship for post-secondary education. (The scholarship recipients must be currently attending a public, private or home high school. All scholarship awards are valid for attendance at an accredited college, university business school or trade school. All scholarship awards must be utilized within two years of the award activation date on the certificate.) 

When is the JA Titan Challenge?
This year’s competition will be held Wednesday, April 21st from 9:00 am to 2:15 pm. 

Where is the competition?
Kirkwood Community College, Iowa Hall

Who can participate?
High school juniors and seniors (in Benton, Delaware, Jones and Linn counties) are eligible to participate in teams of 2. Each team must be accompanied by a school-assigned chaperone and will also be assigned a volunteer consultant (mentor) to assist them throughout the day.

What if I’m not familiar with the JA Titan program?
You can still participate! Visit http://titan.ja.org/ to play a free practice simulation. (We highly suggest all teams practice.) 

What do I need to know day-of the event?
· Cell phone usage (including text messaging and internet) is prohibited when the competition is underway.
· Contact with other teams, chaperones, teachers or parents is not allowed during the competition.
· Chaperones, teachers and parents are welcome to stay for the competition.
· Students may not leave the facility.
· Sound must be turned off at all stations.
· Students are strongly encouraged to dress in business attire.
· Students must submit a signed copy of the Titan Video-Photo Release to their teacher prior to the event (signed by parent or guardian).
· Students must provide their own transportation to and from the competition and be accompanied by a chaperone. 

What can I expect during the competition?
Student teams strategize to operate the most successful business and perform duties of a company’s management team. Students must make real economic decisions on price, production, marketing, capital investment, and research and development. Each round of the competition simulates a business quarter in which students make decisions which result in a performance index (PI). The competitive energy will be high, just as it is with actual CEO’s and companies! 

During the competition students will:
· Learn and apply how business decisions are made
· Experience the competitive nature of the free enterprise system
· Be introduced to industry reports, balance sheets, profit and loss statements and market conditions
· Interact and learn from business leaders with various areas of expertise
· Practice communication, teamwork, decision-making and leadership skills 

How do I sign up?
Teachers: Contact Lisa Cox, lcox@jaeasterniowa.org to register your student team(s). Please fill out a Titan Team Registration form and return it to the JA Office by April 1, 2010.
Students: Consult your school’s business or economics teacher or your guidance counselor to learn more.
Consultants: Contact Lauren Arnold, larnold@jaeasterniowa.org for details!
Sponsors: Contact Lauren Arnold, larnold@jaeasterniowa.org to learn about event sponsorship opportunities ranging from $500 to $10,000.

A BIG thanks to the 2010 Event Sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor 

Titan Sponsor 

Scholarship Sponsor 






Achievement Sponsor 

Team Sponsors
Apache Hose & Belting
Bank of the West
Coe College
Corridor CoWorks
GreatAmerica Leasing
Jim Conklin
Mercy Medical Center
Mount Mercy College
RuffaloCODY
Shive-Hattery, Inc.
TD&T Financial Group



2010 Event Planning Committee Members
Jim Conklin, Rockwell Collins
Dan Curran, Worley Warehousing
Lauren Demski, Honeywell
Clint Diehl, Veridian Credit Union
Marcia Driscol, Kirkwood Community College
Katie Liechty, Wells Fargo
Joel McDermott, Mercy Medical Center
Greg Moore, Lil’ Drugstore Products
Sridip Mukhopadhyaya, AEGON USA
John Osako, Informatics, Inc.
Amanda Smith, US Bank
Megan Stevenson, Veridian Credit Union
Kris Tharp, Kirkwood Community College
Tom Vogel, Yellow Book USA
Shay Vrchoticky, US Bank
Ben Weber, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust