Train the Trainer
Knoxville 2025
A three-day workshop to take you inside simulation learning and equip you to build your most engaging course ever.
See Simulations Through Your Students’ Eyes
Play a Marketplace simulation as a student and see what experiential learning is all about. You’ll walk away with:
- A step-by-step understanding of how to run a Marketplace simulation in your class.
- A fresh perspective on how experiential learning can drive deeper engagement.
- Practical strategies coaching and developing core business skills.
- Insights from instructors who’ve implemented these tools in their own classrooms.
Play
Step into the learner’s role as you play the Conscious Capitalism Simulation and See how it sparks critical thinking, collaboration, and meaningful debate. Join us a day early to play the new Chocolate Candy Game.
Learn
Discover how to set up, facilitate, and debrief a simulation. We’ll give you tips to maximize engagement, assess performance and connect the simulation to your learning goals.
Connect
Meet instructors from around the world who are innovating with experiential learning. You’ll walk away with fresh strategies, resources, and a growing network of inspiring faculty.
Choose Your Simulations
Conscious Capitalism
(Sep. 25–27)
Conscious Capitalism is the core simulation for this Train the Trainer workshop. Learn how to align core business principles with core values. You’ll build your own bicycle company while managing your impact on community health, the environment, employee morale, customer safety, and more.
This simulation will give you a deep understanding of Marketplace Simulations pedagogy and our standard software.
Chocolate Candy Game
(Optional: Sep. 24)
Join our early workshop on September 24 to be one of the first to play our new Chocolate Candy Game (coming in 2026). You’ll build a small business from your home, selling candy at local markets and festivals—while learning the essentials of launching and managing a startup.
Built for mobile, this simulation teaches students how to succeed with limited startup capital and lots of entrepreneurial grit.
Train the Trainer is a free workshop!
You pay for your travel and lodging, we cover the rest. Play up to two simulations, enjoy family style meals, and join us for fun activities throughout the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s included in the free workshop?
Your registration includes access to training sessions, a license to play the Conscious Capitalism Simulation, an optional license to play the Chocolate Candy Game, and family-style meals throughout the event. Your only responsibility is your travel and lodging costs!
Give us advanced notice if you plan to travel with a spouse or significant other, and they will also be welcome to join the group for no extra charge for lunch and dinner.
Who should attend Train the Trainer?
Train the Trainer is open to instructors of all experience levels. New instructors get to discover the complete Marketplace pedagogy in an immersive, exciting way. Experienced instructors get to refine their teaching strategies and learn how to use Marketplace to its full potential.
You’ll get to explore a Marketplace simulation as a student first. Discover the benefits and challenges each student faces while playing the game, as well as the effectiveness of simulation-based learning.
In between decision sessions, you’ll take part in a variety of interactive lectures. Marketplace author Dr. Ernest Cadotte will share the underlying pedagogy of the software, as well as best practices for integrating a simulation into your course curriculum.
Where will Train the Trainer be hosted?
Train the Trainer will be held at the Marketplace Simulations headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee. Nestled among trees and right on the lake, the headquarters offers a peaceful, retreat-like setting—an ideal place to step away from daily distractions and immerse yourself in focused, creative learning.
Knoxville itself is a vibrant, welcoming city in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. With a rich mix of Southern hospitality, entrepreneurial energy, and outdoor beauty, it’s the perfect place to recharge while expanding your teaching toolkit.
What is the dress code?
We recommend business casual attire for this workshop.
What Do Fellow Educators Say About Train the Trainer?
The Train the Trainer workshop not only helped me better understand the pedagogy behind the simulation, but it provided me a view from the student’s perspective. I can now reflect on what I learned and proactively address potential challenges the class may encounter as we progress through the game.
Sam Lee, Ph.D.
Dean of Undergraduate Programs
Hult International Business School
Marketplace Simulations’ Train the Trainer Workshop has truly been a quality use of my time. Whether you’re brand new to the simulation or have had some exposure to it, it was absolutely worthwhile. I would even consider coming back and doing it again. Every time you play this game you learn more and more.
Lindsay Mahony
Lecturer of Strategic Management
University of Tennessee
Just want to say thanks to you, Ernie and the entire Marketplace team! This was the best instructional seminar I have ever been to in my 26 years as a faculty member! I have already recommended it to a colleague and am looking forward to using the Bikes simulation this spring.
Dr. Jeff Blodgett
Professor of Marketing
University of Houston—Victoria
The Train the Trainer workshop has helped me learn to be a better coach, providing tips and techniques that I plan to put into practice starting next semester. As educators, we need to incorporate more learning exercises, like simulations, into our curriculum. Marketplace is fabulous because it compels students to look at managing business and all of its complexities, well preparing them for the real world.
Keith Murray, Ph.D.
Professor of Marketing
Bryant University
I love the TTT! I think everybody should do it. You think you know the game, but when you play it yourself as a team member, all of a sudden, the problems your students may encounter become more understandable.
Andong Cheng
Assistant Professor of Marketing
University of Delaware
One of the best training seminars that I have ever attended! Excellent staff with superior instruction! A sense of being a part of a caring community of professionals! Thank you, Ernie and team!
Professor James N. Koshar
Stratford University
