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FBLA Concepts Final
History
1937: Hamden L. Forkner created FBLA while at Columbia University, NYC (Teachers College).
1940: The National Council for Business Education (NCBE, now known as the National Business Education Association - NBEA) chose the name FBLA.
1942:
The first high school chapter was chartered at Science Hill High School, Johnson City, Tennessee, on February 3rd.
The second charter was issued on February 5th in St. Albans, West Virginia.
The first collegiate chapter was chartered at the University of Northern Iowa on February 10th.
By the end of the year, 39 chapters were added, with another 38 chapters added over the next 3.5 years.
1946: The United Business Education Association (UBEA) began sponsoring FBLA. Headquarters for FBLA was established at the National Education Association Center in Washington, D.C.
1947: Iowa became the first state chapter. Indiana and Ohio followed within three years. By this time, ten state chapters had been created.
1958: The Postsecondary division (FBLA Collegiate) was created.
1969: FBLA was granted individual access as a nonprofit educational student association under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3). FBLA established its own board of directors and staff.
1973: Edward D. Miller became FBLA’s first full-time executive director and president/chief officer of the national association.
1979: FBLA Alumni Division was approved.
1981: The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation purchased 1.6 acres of land in the Center for Educational Associations in Reston, Virginia, as the site for a future national center.
1987: FBLA annual membership surpassed 200,000.
1989: The Alumni Division was renamed the Professional Division to include alumni and professional businesspersons.
1990: A ceremony was held for the FBLA National Center.
1991: The grand opening of the 11,600-square-foot FBLA National Center.
1994: FBLA Middle School Division was formed for grades 5–9.
1997: Edward D. Miller retired. Jean Buckley became the new president and chief executive officer.
2001: The FBLA National Center mortgage was retired.
2016: FBLA celebrated 75 years.
2019: Jean Buckley retired. Alexander T. Graham was appointed.
2020: FBLA adopted a virtual NLC due to COVID-19, with more than 10,000 people joining.
2021: Another virtual NLC was held, with more than 12,000 participants. The Professional Division was renamed the FBLA Network.
Education Programs
LEAD Awards
Explore Award: Introduction to FBLA and learning how to take advantage of opportunities through three modules: Welcome to FBLA Middle School, Making the Most of Your Experience, and Introduction to Leadership.
Aspire Award: Select a business skill or content area to complete in 4+ hours. Members can complete more than one award. Examples include Time Management and FutureSmart (in partnership with EverFi).
Business Achievement Awards (BAA)
For high school students.
Recognition Deadlines:
NLC - June 1st, 2025
SLC - TBD (varies by state)
Capstone competition review - May 13th (Midnight EST, 2025)
Grand Prize - $5,000
BAA Levels
Contributor Award: Foundations of FBLA and taking advantage of abilities.
Leader Award: Basics of leadership.
Advocate Award: Select a business skill or content area to develop further. Upon completion, members can move on to Level 4 or choose another skill for another Advocate Award.
Capstone Award: Members design, complete, and reflect on a project that solves a real-world problem.
Middle School Challenges
Prequel to the high school chapter. Focused on membership engagement and chapter activities for national recognition.
Deadline: June 2025
General Awards
Digital Certificate and Medallion
Classroom Banner Awards: Chapters earning at least 2,000 points.
Top 10 Local Chapter Awards:
Eligibility: Minimum 2,500 points
Judging: Quality
Awards: Plaques and classroom banners, with the 1st to 10th place names engraved on a national center plaque.
High School Challenges
Minimum: 600 points in each section (plus the required number of points for challenge recognition).
Categories:
Summer Starter (August 1–September 25): Focuses on chapter building and membership strategies.
Shaping Success (September 26–November 6): Focuses on member recruitment and retention by promoting benefits, hosting events, and making committees.
Service Season (November 7–January 8): Community service and engagement, contributing to community, connecting with alumni and industry professionals.
CTE Celebration (January 9–March 5): Chapter excellence and Career and Technical Education (CTE) awareness by showcasing achievements and promoting FBLA’s mission.
Champion Plus
National programs and conferences, sponsors and partners, recruitment.
Deadline: May 1st
Partner Programs
Stock Market Game (ML or HL)
Lead4Change (ML or HL)
LifeSmarts (HL)
Virtual Business Challenge
Intuit Social Innovation Challenge
Mission Lift/March of Dimes
FBLA Collegiate Programs
Outstanding Chapter Award
Chapters can achieve one of three levels:
Distinguished Chapter
Exceptional Chapter
Outstanding Chapter
Points are accumulated by completing a variety of activities.
FBLA Collegiate Excellence Award
Earn points by engaging in FBLA events, community service, professional development, and leadership roles.
Bronze: 120 points
Silver: 180 points
Gold: 240 points
Steps: Sign up, log in, get involved, and track progress.
FBLA Pledge "I solemnly promise to uphold the aims and responsibilities of Future Business Leaders of America and, as an active member, I shall strive to develop the qualities necessary in becoming a responsible business leader.”
AND
“I solemnly promise to support the mission of Future Business Leaders of America, abide by its code of ethics and code of conduct, and develop the qualities necessary to become a community-minded business leader.”
FBLA Mission "FBLA inspires and prepares students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences."
FBLA Goals
Develop competent, aggressive business leadership.
Strengthen the confidence of students in themselves and their work.
Create more interest in and understanding of American business enterprise.
Encourage members in the development of individual projects that contribute to the improvement of home, business, and community.
Develop character, prepare for useful citizenship, and foster patriotism.
Encourage and practice efficient money management.
Encourage scholarship and promote school loyalty.
Assist students in the establishment of occupational goals.
Facilitate the transition from school to work.
Middle School Competitions
Testing Individual Events
Business Etiquette
Career Exploration
Digital Citizenship
Exploring Computer Science
Exploring Economics
Exploring Leadership
Exploring Parliamentary Procedure
Exploring Technology
FBLA Concepts
Financial Literacy
Interpersonal Communication
Learning Strategies
Presentation Events
Career Research - Individual
Exploring Business Ethics – Individual or Team
Exploring Business Issues – Individual or Team
Exploring Public Speaking - Individual
Exploring Website Design - Individual or Team
FBLA Mission & Pledge - Individual
Marketing Mix Challenge – Individual or Team
Video Game Challenge – Individual or Team
Chapter Events
Annual Chapter Activities – Individual or Team
Community Service – Individual or Team
Production Events
Exploring Computer Applications - Individual
Role Play Events
Critical Thinking – Individual or Team
Dress Code Professional business attire is required at all general sessions, competitive events, exhibits, regional meetings, workshops, and other activities unless otherwise indicated in conference materials. Conference name badges are considered part of the dress code and must be worn at all conference functions.
Acceptable Items:
Business Professional: Suit pants and jacket, blouse or collared dress shirt, neckwear such as tie or scarf, dress shoes or dress boots.
Blazer: Dress pants, khakis, or skirt, blazer, blouse or collared dress shirt, neckwear, dress shoes or boots.
Dress: A business dress and dress shoes or boots.
Business Casual: Dress pants, khakis, or skirt, blouse, collared shirt, or polo shirt, dress shoes or boots.
Unacceptable Items:
Denim, flannel, shorts, athletic clothing, leggings, or revealing clothing.
Swimwear, flip-flops, casual sandals, athletic shoes, industrial work shoes, hiking boots.
Hats and graphically printed clothing.
Publications
Tomorrow’s Business Leader: Published six times a year.
The Network News (Alumni Newsletter).
Candle Colors
President: Red
Vice President: Orange
Secretary: Yellow
Treasurer: Light Blue
Reporter: Violet
Historian: Green
Parliamentarian: Gray
