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Planned entirely by EIU students, conference anchors sales in empathy, trust, positive outcomes

CHARLESTON, IL (04/22/2026) A new kind of sales conversation is taking center stage this spring in East Central Illinois. On Friday, May 1, The Tarble at Eastern Illinois University will host “Sales is Love: Revenue for Life,” a full-day conference built on a simple but powerful idea: The best sales don’t feel like pressure – they feel like service.

What makes the event especially distinctive is that it is entirely planned and executed by students in EIU’s Professional Sales course, in partnership with the Illinois Small Business Development Center at EIU. The conference serves as a hands-on learning experience, blending classroom theory with real-world execution, community engagement, and professional collaboration.

“This event is a powerful showcase of the talent we have at Eastern Illinois University,” said Senior Instructor of Entrepreneurship in the Business Marketing program at EIU’s Lumpkin College of Business and Technology Evan Kubicek. “Our Professional Selling students don’t just learn about sales, they practice it at a high level. They recruited speakers from across the Midwest, built partnerships, secured sponsorships, and are now executing a full-scale conference. Experiences like this bridge the gap between classroom learning and career readiness, giving our students the confidence and capability to lead in real business environments.”

Attendees can expect a high-energy, practical, and interactive experience, including:

• Keynote and featured speaker sessions
• Interactive roundtables and discussions
• Networking opportunities with regional leaders and alumni
• A live Community Impact Sales Pitch Competition

During the lunch session, students and community members will take the stage for a fast-paced, two-minute pitch. The audience will vote to award a $500 donation to the winning organization, nonprofit, or cause – reinforcing the conference’s commitment to meaningful, community-centered impact.

The regional event has gained strong momentum, with more than $8,000 in sponsorship support from partners including the Rural King Foundation, First Mid Bank & Trust, and several individual sponsors. More than 20 speakers from across the Midwest – including several EIU alumni – are scheduled to share insights, experiences, and practical strategies at the May 1 conference. EIU students have been responsible for organizing speakers, securing sponsors, managing logistics, and promoting the event – providing practical experience that extends beyond the classroom and into meaningful community impact.

More broadly, EIU’s “Sales is Love” conference challenges the traditional “always be closing” mindset. Instead, the conference emphasizes empathy, trust, and long-term value creation, positioning sales as a discipline rooted in understanding people and solving real problems. Organizers say this perspective reflects the evolving expectations of customers, businesses, and professionals alike.

“Beyond that, what this conference truly represents is student transformation,” Kubicek added. “Our juniors and seniors have taken ownership of every aspect of this event, and in doing so have demonstrated the kind of initiative, professionalism, and creativity that employers are looking for. It’s a clear example of how experiential learning at EIU prepares students to succeed beyond graduation.”

The “Sales is Love: Revenue for Life” conference will take place May 1, 2026, at The Tarble, located on the Eastern Illinois University campus in Charleston. The Tarble’s physical address is 2010 9th Street, Charleston, Illinois. For more information about the event, email Kubicek at emkubicek@eiu.edu or call (708) 986-1802.

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