PHOTOS: KSU students get about 50 seconds, 27 floors to make an elevator pitch

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PHOTOS: KSU students get about 50 seconds, 27 floors to make an elevator pitch

A group of Kennesaw State University students in the professional sales program got a chance to make their case in an elevator pitch contest held inside TK Elevator’s 420-foot test tower in Cobb County.

Kennesaw State University student Awa Minteh, right, gives her one-minute pitch on why she should be hired to judge Matt Salvo during the TKE Elevator Pitch contest at the TKE tower, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. KSU students ride up to the 26th floor and deliver a one-minute pitch to TKE executives on why they should be hired. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Kennesaw State University student Chasen Wood, right, greets judge Richard Diamond after she gave her one-minute pitch on why she should be hired during the TKE Elevator Pitch contest at the TKE tower, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. KSU students ride up to the 26th floor and deliver a one-minute pitch to TKE executives on why they should be hired. (Jason Getz/AJC)

TKE executive Matt Salvo, right, speaks to Kennesaw State University students before the start of the TKE Elevator Pitch contest at the TKE tower, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. In the TKE Elevator Pitch contest, KSU students ride up to the 26th floor and deliver a one-minute pitch to TKE executives on why they should be hired. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Kennesaw State University student Jessica Paden, left, gives her one-minute pitch on why she should be hired to judge Jenny Jane during the TKE Elevator Pitch contest at the TKE tower, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. KSU students ride up to the 26th floor and deliver a one-minute pitch to TKE executives on why they should be hired. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Kennesaw State University students wait in the lobby before the start of the TKE Elevator Pitch contest at the TKE tower, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. Over 35 KSU students rode 420 feet to the top of the TKE test tower and delivered a one-minute pitch to TKE executives on why they should be hired. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Kennesaw State University student Will Abraham, facing, celebrates on the 26th floor after giving his one-minute pitch during the TKE Elevator Pitch contest at the TKE tower, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. KSU students ride up to the 26th floor and deliver a one-minute pitch to TKE executives on why they should be hired. (Jason Getz/AJC)

The 420 foot TKE tower stands near the intersection of Cobb Parkway and Circle 75 Parkway, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. The TKE tower was the site of the annual TKE Elevator Pitch contest. KSU students ride up to the 26th floor and deliver a one-minute pitch to TKE executives on why they should be hired. (Jason Getz/AJC)

The elevator doors close as Kennesaw State University student Camden Beaulieu begins his one-minute pitch on why he should be hired to two judges (not shown) during the TKE Elevator Pitch contest at the TKE tower, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. KSU students ride up to the 26th floor and deliver a one-minute pitch to TKE executives on why they should be hired. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Kennesaw State University student Will Abraham, center, celebrates on the 26th floor with fellow students including Chasen Wood, right, during the TKE Elevator Pitch contest at the TKE tower, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. KSU students ride up to the 26th floor and deliver a one-minute pitch to TKE executives on why they should be hired. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Kennesaw State University student Awa Minteh, right, gives her one-minute pitch on why she should be hired to judge Matt Salvo during the TKE Elevator Pitch contest at the TKE tower, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. KSU students ride up to the 26th floor and deliver a one-minute pitch to TKE executives on why they should be hired. (Jason Getz/AJC)