EMERGING BUSINESS ISSUES
This event provides recognition for FBLA members with an opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills in researching and presenting an emerging business issue. In addition to learning research skills, team participants develop speaking ability and poise through oral presentations.
COMPETENCIES
The topic to be debated during the State Leadership Conference will be listed on the state and national website. Participants will be expected to research the topic before the conference and to be prepared to present both the affirmative and negative arguments.
ELIGIBILITY
This is an individual or team event. In the case of a team, it must be composed of two to three (2-3) members. The individual may not have competed in this event at a prior National Leadership Conference or placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in this event at a previous State Leadership Conference. In the case of a team, no more than one (1) team member may have competed in this event at a prior National Leadership Conference or placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in this event at a previous State Leadership Conference.
Participants must have paid state and national dues postmarked by December 15 of the current school year.
District Number of participants governed by local FBLA District policy.
State Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found in the Fact Finder.
National See publication: National Chapter Management Handbook—current edition.
REGULATIONS
District Each district determines its own procedures for event registration.
State When it has been determined that an individual or team will represent the district at state competition, the student's local adviser must send the appropriate entry form to the state adviser by first-class mail. The entry form and the required receipt deadline are included in the SLC registration packet.
National See publication: National Chapter Management Handbook—current edition.
• Participants failing to report on time for the event may be disqualified.
• Participants must adhere to the dress code established by the board of directors or they will not be permitted to compete in the event.
•Participants will be permitted to bring prepared materials written or printed on note cards to the presentation areas.
• No other reference materials, visual aids, or electronic devices may be brought to or used during the performance.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Presentations must be the result of the individual or team’s own independent work. Facts and working data may be secured from any source.
Participants will be expected to research the topic prior to the conference and be prepared to present both the affirmative and negative arguments.
Participants will be divided into two or three groups, depending on the number of participants. The order of performance will be drawn at random by an impartial person in the event office.
Individuals or teams should introduce themselves, describe the situation, present both affirmative and negative, make their recommendations, and summarize their case. All team members are expected to actively participate in the performance.
Individuals or teams will have seven (7) minutes to present both sides. A timekeeper will stand at six (6) minutes and again at seven (7) minutes. When the presentation is finished, the time used will be recorded, noting a deduction of five (5) points for any presentation, which exceeds seven (7) minutes.
Following each oral presentation, the judges may conduct a three-minute question and answer period during which the presenters should be prepared to defend their affirmative and negative arguments.
All performances are open to conference attendees, except performing participants of this event.
FINAL ROUND
The order of performance will be drawn at random by an impartial person in the event office. All other procedures as outlined in the preliminary round will be followed for the final round.
JUDGING
The presentations will be evaluated by a panel of judges. All decisions of the judges are final.
AWARDS
District The number of awards presented at the District Leadership Conference is determined by local FBLA District policy.
State State awards for the top five places are presented at the State Leadership Conference.
National The judges will determine the number of awards presented at the National Leadership Conference. The maximum number will be ten (10).