The Warsaw Sports Marketing Center has added a new tool for students to engage on a more regular basis with industry in Portland. The #TGIPDX shuttle departs from Eugene early in the morning on select Fridays to allow for a full day of networking in the Rose City.

“#TGIPDX was born out of feedback from the students that they wanted more connection with industry," said Craig Leon, MBA program manager for the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center. “Many of our successful alumni tell the students that they spent many Fridays during their MBA career in Portland, so it was easy for the center to make the small investment to help encourage our current students to do the same."

The Warsaw Center is providing the rented van once a term for MBA candidates and once a month for undergraduate students. For MBA trips, the center rents vans for the day, with the cost coming out of the MBA seminar fee. Undergraduate trips are facilitated through the Warsaw Sports Business Club and funded with yearly club membership dues.

The inaugural undergraduate voyage on October 14 included visits with KEEN, Portland Gear, and the Portland Winterhawks.

On November 18, both MBA and undergraduate students were welcomed aboard, with the undergraduate students enjoying visits with the Moda Center and shoemaker On Running. Eugene students also got a peek into one of our premier Portland programs, UO Sports Product Management.

Another trek on December 2 for undergraduates included visits with REI, IDL Worldwide, and the Portland Timbers Army. Undergraduate student trips are structured around one to three site visits, with some time for individual networking.

“When I first heard about it, I was skeptical as I had not heard of all the companies we were going to be visiting. But each has been unique and insightful and brought our attention to a different aspect of the sports industry," said James Blackwell, an undergraduate business student and member of the Warsaw Sports Business Club. “I have really enjoyed all my #TGIPDX experiences, and I would definitely recommend them to other club members. As a senior, it is great networking experience."

MBA candidates are tasked with setting up their own meetings with industry contacts. Each MBA trip, however, concludes with a happy hour for alumni and industry friends hosted by the Warsaw Center to further facilitating networking.

#TGIPDX typically departs from Dads" Gate near the north entrance to the Lillis Business Complex. The next shuttle is scheduled for Friday, January 27, for both undergraduates and MBA candidates.

For more information, graduate students may contact Craig Leon and undergraduate students may contact Joshua Gordon.