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 Each year, International BizFest gets better. Packed with performances, competitions, giveaways, and delectable international cuisine, the four-hour event provides a lively setting for the college’s business student organizations to get the word out about what they do and how students can get involved. Representatives set up tables on the Ryder Building’s south lawn, making it easy and fun for attendees to see the range of outlets for their talents and interests. One of the many hard-working students at the gathering, Lourdes Lourido, president of Alpha Kappa Psi, thought the fourth annual International BizFest topped them all. “This year was full of energy and was by far the most successful BizFest we’ve had,” said Lourido, a finance major who will graduate in May. “We saw a lot more students and a lot more activity. We were able to pass out information about our organization, about our events, and about how to rush.” A new feature added another level of interest and support for the students. Target was there in full-force, serving as a sponsor. The company, which is a popular employer of graduates from college, provided financial backing as well as soft drinks, desserts, and paper goods.
 From left to right, Target representatives Eric Estevez, Angel Blanco, and Ariel Grillo. Target’s presence gave students a chance to learn more about the company and was a sign of how much the company values the talents and work ethic of the college’s students. “We chose to sponsor the event because we know there’s great potential in the college and we thought BizFest would be a good opportunity to meet students and to recruit,” said Angel Blanco, store team leader from Kendall Target. He wasn’t disappointed. “It was a great experience for us since we got to interact with students in a very informal atmosphere,” he said. “Also, we were able to establish relationships with some of the student organizations, which paves the way for future recruiting.” According to him, retail has a stigma that Target recruiters are eager to dispel. “People think you work 100 hours a week, so we want to change the mentality by letting students know that at Target, we run businesses,” he said. “This was a chance for us to share our excitement about the businesses they can run, the money they can make, and the size of the teams they’ll be involved with.” Between 300 and 400 visitors attended the event, at which they enjoyed seafood paella, BBQ beef and pork sandwiches, flan, and other desserts. Entertainment highlights included music by Breaking Tides, a local band; the DJ talents of Mike E. Simms; a rock wall climb and bungee run; a Jeopardy competition, Salsa Kings, and belly dancers. And there were prizes galore: from Target, Moe's Southwest Grill, Bonefish Grill, The Knife Argentinian Steak House, Mr. Moe’s, Cold Stone Creamery, and Fuddruckers.
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