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Key people at John Molson MBA International Case Competition.
The John Molson MBA International Case Competition (ICC) organizes the world's oldest and largest annual MBA case competition, based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It challenges international teams of students from top business schools to solve real business cases under time pressure. Recent editions involve 36 schools from 15 countries and 180 students, with 450 judges from the Montreal business community participating. The non-profit event, recognized as the world's largest MBA case competition since 1982, serves the business education sector. Key organizers have included Roberto Blanc, Allysha Carr, Kiran Jayaramaiah, and Rasha Dergham. The competition was founded in fall 1981 by Nora Kelly and Annette Wilde, with its first event held in winter 1982. Its business model centers on non-profit event funded through sponsorships, entry fees, and university support, no revenue model indicated.
Key people at John Molson MBA International Case Competition.
The John Molson MBA International Case Competition (ICC) is the world's oldest and largest annual MBA case competition, organized as a not-for-profit event by MBA students from Concordia University's John Molson School of Business (JMSB) in Montreal.[1][2][3] Held the first week of January, it brings together 36 teams of top MBA students from around the globe—representing over 15 countries—to solve six unpublished business cases in a round-robin format over six or seven days, judged by 250-300 senior executives from the local business community.[1][2][4][5] Featuring highlights like a Live Case from a real company (e.g., Walmart's Blue Labs in past years), it awards the Concordia Cup and CAD $10,000 to first place, fostering skills in creativity, insight, and implementation while bridging academia and industry.[1][4]
Founded in fall 1981 by two enterprising JMSB MBA students, Nora Kelly and Annette Wilde, as the National MBA Case Competition, it quickly evolved into an international event and was renamed the John Molson MBA International Case Competition.[2][3][6][8] The inaugural 1982 edition marked Concordia as host of the world's first MBA case competition, growing from a national focus to the largest of its kind by attracting global teams.[3] Key milestones include JMSB students winning their own competition in 2004 (a first after 23 years) and ongoing expansions like exclusive cases from writing competitions.[2][3]
The ICC rides the surge in business case competitions as experiential learning tools in MBA programs, aligning with trends in experiential education amid rising demand for practical skills in consulting, strategy, and tech-driven business.[2][4] Its timing in early January capitalizes on post-holiday focus, drawing elite schools amid a global MBA landscape emphasizing real-world problem-solving over rote theory—especially relevant as AI and data analytics reshape case studies.[1][5] Market forces like corporate-academia partnerships (e.g., Live Cases from innovators like Walmart's Blue Labs) favor it, influencing the ecosystem by producing battle-tested talent for firms like McKinsey or tech giants, while Montreal's innovation hub status amplifies its networking impact.[1][4]
With the 2026 edition set for January 4-9 at Montreal's Hotel Bonaventure, expect continued growth in team diversity and case complexity, potentially incorporating more AI/innovation mandates to stay ahead.[4] Trends like hybrid formats or global judging panels could expand reach, while its student-led model ensures adaptability amid MBA evolution toward sustainability and tech ethics. As the benchmark for case comps, the ICC will deepen its influence by alumni networks in C-suites, solidifying Montreal's role in business education and consistently launching careers that bridge academia and industry.
