FBLA-PBL’s national conferences help students prepare for careers in business by focusing on academic competitions (FBLA Competitive Events and PBL Competitive Events) and leadership development. FBLA-PBL conferences are a great place to network, develop your leadership skills, and visit exhibitors and vendors. For information on how to exhibit or present a workshop, contact conferencemanager@fbla.org.
National Leadership Conference
FBLA-PBL members have the competitive edge, as the best and brightest of FBLA and PBL convene to compete in leadership events, share their successes, and learn new ideas about shaping their career future through workshops and exhibits. This four-day conference is considered the pinnacle of the FBLA-PBL experience, especially for those running for national office. FBLA-PBL has forged partnerships with industry leaders to underwrite competitive events and scholarships for students achieving national ranking. When: Summer.
2021 NLC–Anaheim
- PBL: June 24–27
- FBLA: June 29–July 2
Fall Programming
Career Connections
Each year 200+ top college and university students from across North America convene in Manhattan for the PBL Career Connections Conference, a fast paced, high-impact program focused on connecting talented individuals with leading employers. This is not just a meet and greet conference, it’s about getting what it takes to succeed in a challenging job market—interviewing techniques, building your personal brand, and navigating your early career. In addition to sessions, participants get face time with today’s best brands through hosted tours.
FBLA National Fall Leadership Conference
Students and advisers participate in motivational general sessions, professional development, and career planning workshops. For many FBLA members, the NFLCs are a convenient and affordable way to experience much of the education and excitement of a National Leadership Conference, but closer to home. When: Fall.
Given that many states and/or local governing bodies for schools have restricted student travel, and with particular consideration to recent COVID-19 outbreaks in many states, the National Center staff is preparing alternative programming for the fall.
We are considering activities/programs that would be complementary to what state FBLA-PBL organizations are doing in terms of online conferences including asynchronous certificate/badge programs, job shadow initiatives, and online college and career fair. As with the NLE, the intent is to not replicate the conferences as an online event, but to meet and engage with members and advisers where they are and provide well-rounded resources to support their current programs.
We are also engaging with our national partners (KPMG, Tallo, Intuit, and Facebook) to help bring value-added support to our students and advisers. Using the Leadership Communities, we will be reaching out to state and local advisers for input on alternative programming.
Institute for Leaders
Held in conjunction with the National Leadership Conference, this high-energy, intensive, two-day seminar is a focused, leadership experience for state and local chapter officers, as well as members and advisers. This training conference prepares student leaders and members to assume their elected responsibilities and develop valuable life skills. When: Summer, during NLC.
State Leadership Conferences (SLC)
SLCs feature competitive events and elections. Competitive event winners earn the opportunity to compete at the National Leadership Conference. Contact your state adviser for details. When: Spring.