GLOW Region High Schoolers Participate in 20th Annual Virtual Business Trade Fair at GCC

Batavia, NY (03/27/2026) — Genesee Community College was pleased to host the Virtual Business Trade Fair on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Virtual Business, an enrichment project offered by area high school teachers with events facilitated and hosted by the Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) Program, provides students enrolled in economics and entrepreneurship courses with a hands-on learning opportunity to apply the theories, practices and knowledge from their classroom learning to an almost-real innovative business venture. The students work collaboratively to develop all the components of a successful virtual business. They begin by writing mission statements and conducting extensive research into product features and competition, trade with each other virtually through creative websites, and culminate their work in building advertising pieces and their trade fair displays.

The students' trade fair goal is to sell their products or services and allow the attendees to make purchases with virtual dollars. Thousands of virtual dollars are given out to attendees to "spend." At the end of the trade fair, the businesses with the most virtual dollars and virtual sales are recognized. Volunteer bankers from M&T Bank were on-site to help the virtual businesses to track and manage their sales.

Businesses are also judged for awards on their booth presentation and salesmanship and marketing skills.

The 20th annual Virtual Business Trade Fair featured the following high schooler-created companies:

• Batavia High School featuring Fanline
• Early College High School featuring Byron Blasters; Green Getters; Fish N Fert; Fabrics & Fibers
• Geneseo High School featuring Fresh Space; D&O Sweet Shop; Fast Feasts; Styl3 Sports
• Oakfield-Alabama High School featuring Beast Beauty
• Pavilion High School featuring Game Hub

The results of the Virtual Business Trade Fair are as follows:

Number of Transactions:

• 1st place: Fanline (Batavia)
• 2nd place: Fish N Fert (ECHS)
• 3rd place: Game Hub (Pavillion)

Dollar Value of Sales:

• 1st place: Fanline (Batavia)
• 2nd place: Fish N Fert (ECHS)
• 3rd place: Byron Blasters (ECHS)

Booth Presentation:

• 1st place: Game Hub (Pavillion)
• 2nd place: Fanline (Batavia)
• 3rd place: Fabrics & Fibers (ECHS)

Salesmanship/Marketing:

• 1st place: Fanline (Batavia)
• 2nd place: Green Getters/Fish N Fert (ECHS)
• 3rd place: Fast Feasts (Geneseo)

For more information about the Virtual Business Trade Fair please contact Director of ACE Programs, Ann Valento at amvalento@genesee.edu.

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