MS - Exploring Public Speaking
 

Elevator Speech provides members with the opportunity to develop and present a speech on a topic. This competitive event consists of a presentation component.

Event Overview

Division: Middle School
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Presentation
Event Elements: Speech with a Topic
Presentation Time: 3-minute presentation time
NACE Connections: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Professionalism

Items Provided by Competitors: Conference-provided nametag and Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code

Equipment Provided by FBLA: None

2024-2025 Topic

Choose skills that are developed when participating in community service or volunteer experiences and explain why these skills matter.

District

Check with your District Leader for district-specific competition information.

State

Eligibility

·         FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by the District Director) of the current school year.
·         Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top ten of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top ten of an event at NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
·         Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
·         Members must stay in an official FBLA hotel in order to compete.
·         Each district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
·         Each competitor can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Annual Activities, Community Service Project).
·         Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
·         Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, prepare, and set up their presentations.
·         If competitors are late for a presentation time, they may be disqualified or placed later in the schedule.  The decision is solely up to the judges.
·         Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted participate in the competitive event.

Recognition

·         The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event is 5.

Event Administration

·         This event has two parts: preliminary presentation and final presentation

·         Presentation Information: The Speech

o   Presentation Time: 3 minutes (one-minute warning)
o   The presentation is judged at the SLC. Preliminary presentations are not open to conference attendees.
o   Competitors are randomly assigned to sections.
o   The speech must be developed around the topic.
o   When delivering the speech, competitors may use notes prepared before the event.
o   No other reference materials such as visual aids, props, handouts or electronic devices may be brought to or used during the event.

·         Final Presentation: The Speech

o   The above presentation guidelines will be in effect for the final presentation.

o   An equal number of competitors from each section in the preliminary round will advance to the final round.

o   The final round may be open to conference attendees if space permits. Competitors may not watch others in the event.

Scoring

·         The preliminary presentation score will determine the finalists.
·         The final presentation score will determine the winners.
·         Judges must break ties. All judges’ decisions are final.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·         FBLA meets the criteria specified in the Americans with Disabilities Act for all competitors with accommodations submitted through the conference registration system by the registration deadline.

Recording of Presentations

·         No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
·         Competitors in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

 Electronic Devices

·         All electronic devices such as cell phones, headphones, and watches of any type must not be brought to the testing site.

National

Be sure to see National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla-middle-level/competitive-events/