Case Competition Guidelines
General Rules
Teams will consist of 3 presenters. One alternate team member is recommended and would take the place of a presenter who becomes unavailable for any reason. Alternate team members can view the presentation if they are not presenting. All graduate business students are welcome to participate.
Teams must designate one person as the team captain. This person will be the point of contact for all correspondence between the team and competition organizers. It is the responsibility of the team captain to ensure the entire team receives all communications.
All team members must be currently enrolled full-time as MBA, MS, or MPA students and must bring a valid Student ID.
Teams are limited to one faculty advisor. The advisor is prohibited from exchanging tips with other advisors or conferring with judges or staff for the duration of the competition.
All team members must be present at the hotel between 5–7 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, to check in for the competition. Any teams who do not check in for the case competition without prior communication by 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, risk disqualification.
Timeline
- December 1, 2025: Case Competition Registration Opens
- January 11, 2026: Case Competition Team Registration Closes
- January 18, 2026: Case Competition Team Names Due
- Week of January 26, 2026: Case Release
- January 30, 2026: Case Information Session
- February 4, 2026: Case Competition Team Check-in and Deliverables Submission by 7 p.m. EST
- February 5, 2026: Round 1 Case Competition 9 am -12:30 pm
- February 5, 2026: Final Round Case Competition 2-4:30 pm
Preparation
Team members are permitted to use publicly available sources or materials in addition to the case materials.
Coaching and feedback, from faculty members, school staff, industry contacts, outside experts, or anyone other than the team’s faculty advisor is not permitted. Each team is permitted to have one dress rehearsal presentation with their faculty advisor prior to the competition. Feedback to the team from the advisor should be restricted to the organization, format, and style of presentation only. Feedback on content or strategy is not permitted.
Submit the following on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, by 7 p.m. (EST):
- Final presentation (clearly labeled with the team number or letter), via email to mba_bschool@howard.edu
- Stapled copies of the final presentation at registration.
- Presentation must use PowerPoint with no audio. All submissions are final with no changes.
Presentation Guidelines
Three team members will speak as part of the presentation. The alternate team member
and advisor will be able to observe but unable to participate.
No university affiliation in any presentation materials or in the oral presentation itself. Teams that
do so will have 20 points subtracted from their score.
PC laptops with Microsoft PowerPoint and LCD projector will be available to each team during
their presentation. The paper handouts will be distributed to the judges by competition organizers
before the presentation starts. Team members are not allowed to use speaker notes.
All teams will compete in the first round on Thursday morning, February 5, 2026, from 9 a.m. –
12:30 p.m. The top three teams will be selected to compete in the final round on Thursday
afternoon, February 6, 2025 from 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Finalists will present their original slide deck for a new set of judges. Participants who are not finalists may observe the final round once their final presentation has been delivered.
Each round will consist of a 20-minute presentation and a 10-minute question and answer session
with the judges.
Presentations will be evaluated on quality of analysis, creativity, clarity, and viability of
recommendations, use of case facts and data, quality and style of oral delivery, Q&A session, and
team participation.
Name badges must be worn to enter presentation and reception events.
The top three teams will receive their prizes after the competition. Finalists are responsible for
completing any necessary documents, as well as providing necessary information to receive
payment (please allow at least 8 weeks for payment).
Cancellation Policy
A substitute is recommended in case teams face unforeseen circumstances. Without exception, at least three (3) team members are required. Registration fees will be forfeited should team cancellation be required.