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NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Location:
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Anaheim, California (2021)
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Chicago, Illinois (2022)
Date: June 29 - July 2
NLC is the largest event of the year! Competitors travel from around the world to compete against the very best from each state and country involved in FBLA. If you didn't know, countries such as Canada, China, Haiti, Tanzania, and others participate in NLC too. At NLC, members will compete in their events, attend workshops, participate in the election for the new national officer team, and visit various tourist attractions and popular locations in the city.
FBLA NLC APP
FBLA has a special app for national conferences. Like Sched, this app can be used to view the full schedule of the conference and plan your own. However, this app also includes maps of the convention center, schedules for transportation between the convention center and hotels, the seating charts for the opening session and Awards of Excellence, and more!
SIDE TRIPS
One of the most exciting parts of NLC is being able to go on side trips around the city. You'll get to visit museums, aquariums, amusement parks, various tourist attractions, and maybe even a sports game. There's a lot to do in these cities and if you have a place that you'd like to visit, contact Mrs. Matthews to get it approved.
OPENING CEREMONY
The opening ceremony starts off the conference by introducing the national officer team and all participating states and countries. You'll listen to a keynote speaker, and then be introduced to the candidates for the new national officer team.
COMPETITIVE EVENTS
Objective tests are taken similar to how you would at SLC. Tests are held in a large room and taken online, but computers/laptops will be provided for you. You'll be given your login information for your test and you can pick anywhere to sit. Proctors will be there to help you and also prevent cheating. You can leave the testing room once you've finished your test.
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Performance events are done a bit different at NLC than SLC. You'll wait in line to enter a room full of cubicles with other competitors presenting. You'll be guided to your cubicle to present. Introduce yourselves to the judges and set up your equipment. When you and the judges are ready, you can begin your presentation. The timer will signal you when you have one minute remaining. Thank your judges and don't leave anything behind when you leave.
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Finalists are announced online on the third day of the conference at 5AM. Finalists are only chosen for performance and role play events. Presentations for finalists begin at 8:30AM so make sure you're up early to find out if you'll be presenting. Finalist presentation are done in larger meeting rooms and are open to the public. It's highly encouraged that you watch some of these presentations as they give you a great idea of what it takes to place at NLC.
Some rules for watching finalists:
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Do not watch presentations for an event you qualified for finals in.
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Do not watch an event that members from Fairfield are competing in until all Fairfield members have presented. (you can watch the last presentation from a Fairfield team)
WORKSHOPS
NLC offers various workshops dealing with college, careers, leadership, networking, public speaking, other business skills and more. You are expected to attend at least 5 workshops.
PIN TRADING
Pin trading is a fun and unique activity at NLC. Each member is given pins representing their state or country to put on their lanyards. Members can trade these pins and create a collection. Pin trading is a great way to network and meet new people, and in some cases, a profitable activity. Some members are willing to pay a lot of money for rare pins. A pin trading guide will be put on the site in the coming months to help you begin trading, get rare pins, and make a profit.
AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
The Awards of Excellence ceremony ends the conference with awards the top 10 competitors in each event. Winners are awarded an acrylic trophy, and the top 3 will typically receive scholarship money. At the end, the newly elected national officers are announced.
