Chatbots, Competition, and Big Wins: 2024 Salesforce IDEAthon Challenge

On Sept. 27, some 45 students across 18 teams participated in the annual Salesforce Chatbot IDEAthon Challenge at the David Eccles School of Business. This competition, hosted by the Information Systems Program in partnership with Salesforce, gave students the opportunity to build real chatbot solutions on Salesforce’s CRM platform while competing for prizes and certifications.

The challenge? Create a chatbot that solves a real-world business problem in one week. Graduate and undergraduate students had the opportunity to learn how to design and deploy functional chatbots using Salesforce’s CRM platform, gaining practical skills beyond the classroom. Whether they focused on streamlining customer service or automating tasks, every team had a chance to show off their creativity and problem-solving skills.

It wasn’t all competition — it also offered valuable networking opportunities. Salesforce professionals were on hand throughout the event, providing mentorship, offering tips, and answering questions. From peer collaboration to mentorship, the IDEAthon gave students more than just tech skills; it opened doors to new opportunities.

Winning teams snagged exciting prizes, and participants earned Salesforce certifications. These certifications enhance résumés and demonstrate that students have mastered critical tech skills needed in today’s job market.

The Salesforce Chatbot IDEAthon was more than just a business case competition; it was an opportunity for students to develop future-ready skills. As AI and chatbots shape the future of business, events like this help students stay ahead of the curve.

Congratulations to our 2024 Eccles Salesforce Chatbot IDEAthon winners!