MAPS Chili Cook-off and Obstacle Course

On May 6th, from noon until 2pm, MAPS will be running a chili cook-off on the Alumni Green, also known as the HUB lawn. MAPS is the Marketing Association of Plymouth State. The group provides students with guidance on how to approach the business world. They help expand their networks, build their resumes, and prepare for interviews. The chili cook-off was originally run by the Event Marketing class, and this is the first year that MAPS is running it. They run events on campus throughout the year, for the benefits of fundraising.

The chili cook-off has a five-dollar admission fee. Everyone is welcomed to attend. People will be able to browse through the different options, and eat as much chili as they want. There will also be a beer tent, for those who are of age. Since it is a competition, there will be an opportunity to vote for your favorite chili-cooker. The winner will be deemed the crowd favorite, and first place winner. There will also be second and third place winners. Anyone is eligible to sign up to compete in this event. To sign up, visit the MAPS Facebook page, where they have posted a link. People can also sign up at HUB tables, a week or so before the event. People can also contact any MAPS member.

Jen Santucci, MAPS member and head of fundraising, encourages people to attend. “It’s something to do during the Saturday of Spring Fling," she said, “Everyone loves it. It’s a good atmosphere. There will be tailgating games, and other fun things to do while you’re sampling chili."

On May 12th, all afternoon, MAPS will have an inflatable obstacle course. It will be set up between the Mary Lyon lawn and Alumni Green. Kaila Martin, MAPS member and head of the group’s community service, came up with this event. This is the first year it’s running, and the group will keep up with it if it is successful. All proceeds from this event will be given to the American Heart Association. MAPS does a lot of community service in the area, as well.

MAPS is running both of these events. They do this often, to benefit their own members, potential members, and general people of the PSU community. Jen elaborates on their hard work, “The main goal is to set up events and conferences in ways to better our members, in terms of search of a career. We’re giving them to exposure to the people who are looking for young people to hire." They have corporate sponsors, who sponsor them for a year at a time. These sponsors are looking to gain future employees. “They come up to campus, and they get to meet our members and our students," she said, “Our goal is to get all of our members a job."

Recently, President Birx nominated MAPS for a community service award. They received the honor of the President’s Volunteer Service Award. They achieved this through their events, and their dedication to giving back. Every year, MAPS also goes to New Orleans for a conference, as part of The American Marketing Association. This year, the group came home within the top twenty-five chapter, out of over three hundred. This was a big accomplishment for the group, and next year they are aiming for top ten. Everything they do, and every event they hold, is to help their annual report for this annual conference.

MAPS meets every Tuesday, from 8pm to 9pm, at the Hage room in the HUB. They have E-board meetings prior to every meeting. They break up into groups in the Hage room, to work on all of their projects simultaneously.