As the weather begins warming up for real this spring, construction crews are beginning to move dirt for the expansion of the Gerdin Business Building on the Iowa State University campus. 

One of the most innovative aspects of the expanded space is a sales simulation suite that the Ivy College of Business will use to provide realistic, real-time observation and feedback for students in a new sales program that’s under development. 

“We’ll be able to have a camera giving a live feed of them trying to work their way past the receptionist, the first thing a salesperson must do,” said David Spalding, dean of the college. “And then they’ll go into either a smaller room for a one-on-one sales pitch or a larger room to make a sales presentation. And there’ll be video capture of all those places.” 

An adjoining space will be provided for faculty members or other students to watch the sales pitches. “So this really will be at the cutting edge of what’s being done,” Spalding said. 

The 45,000-square-foot expansion of the original building, which was built in 2003, will include more classrooms, computer labs, a multipurpose space and study areas, as well as space for more faculty offices. 
Spalding sat down with me last week to discuss the tremendous growth the Ivy College of Business has experienced during his first five years as dean, and what’s ahead for the college. Look for that article in an upcoming issue of the Business Record. 

Spalding will join ISU President Wendy Wintersteen and other officials on April 11 for a groundbreaking ceremony at the Bergstrom Commons of the Gerdin Business Building to celebrate the start of the expansion project. The ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m.