The H.H. Gregg Center for Professional Selling at Ball State University has been recognized by the Professional Society for Sales and Marketing Training (SMT) for its high educational standards.

The Chicago-based organization recently certified nine universities and three corporations with outstanding sales education and training programs. The certification is the first by the organization.

"SMT is one of the most respected organizations in our field," said Ramon Avila, the center's founding director and the George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Marketing. "The certification puts us in a very elite group. It says that our center has the highest levels of professionalism and graduates the very best sales people in the country.

"Employers who come to campus to recruit know that we have extremely talented students enrolled in intense classes and participating in the best internships," he said. "This certification enhances our reputation, making us a leader in our field among universities."

In addition to Ball State, universities receiving certification are Akron, Baylor, Illinois State, Indiana, Kennesaw State, Northern Illinois, Houston and Toledo. Corporations being certified include Top of Your Game, Office Depot and The Kendall Company.

According to SMT, the purpose of the certification includes:

• establishing sales in participating corporations and universities as an important career choice with unique academic applications in which students are meticulously developed into productive sales professionals
• providing an opportunity for highly talented and qualified students to select a sales career based on the ability to carry their skills into corporate jobs that closely match their collegiate studies and career interests
• providing the corporate community with an opportunity to save millions by hiring trained professionals whose sales skills are identified, validated and developed to match the requirements of the job
• promoting the sales profession as a skill- and talent-based behavioral process that requires organized study to perfect

Building on a long history of sales education at Ball State, Avila established the Professional Selling Institute in 1996. In 2004, the center was renamed after the university received a $1 million gift from Indianapolis-based H.H. Gregg. The gift allowed for the remodeling of the center's video recording labs and the installation of state-of-the-art integrated video and computer technology.

Using this facility, students can develop their sales presentation skills by viewing and critiquing their performance on videotape. Students can then build a collection of taped presentations to show to prospective employers.

Housed within the Department of Marketing, the center provides the business community with a research center that focuses on the contemporary issues confronting sales organizations, sales managers and salespeople. The goals of the center are not only to encourage research in selling, but also to expand the sales program to enhance student preparation for employment.

About the Professional Society for Sales and Marketing Training

Formed in 1940, the nonprofit organization is dedicated to accelerating business results for its members and their companies by improving sales performance. The organization's goals are to develop and enhance the competencies of its members; to be a resource for sales and marketing technologies; to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences; to reach out to those interested in the field of sales and marketing training; and to increase awareness and recognition of the value and quality of the society.

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Avila at ravila@bsu.edu or (765) 285-5189.)