2016 FBLA STATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Conference and Competitive Event Registration Information
The 56th FBLA State Leadership Conference will be held Thursday and Friday, February
18 & 19, 2016, at the Waterfront Convention Center at Harrah’s in Atlantic City. The theme is
“New Jersey FBLA-PBL: Generating Greatness.”
ABOUT THE VENUE
Harrah’s in Atlantic City has recently opened a Convention Center adjacent to the hotel. This
facility is one of the few in New Jersey large enough to host our Conference. It is also the most
cost effective. Chapters will arrive at the Convention Center entrance, and a satellite hotel check
in will be available in that area. There are restaurants and a food court in the Convention Center
vicinity and sleeping rooms are in the Waterfront Tower which is adjacent to the Convention
Center. There is no reason for any student to venture into the area of the hotel where the Casino
is located. Members must wear conference badges at all times when venturing out of their
sleeping rooms. Please let your members, parents, and administration know that security at
Harrah’s is very tight. Besides the visible security, all areas of the first floor of the hotel are on
camera. Penalties for underage members attempting to enter the Casino are stiff—loss of
driver’s license, a $500 fine, an early trip home (parents would be required to pick up
students) and whatever penalties the school district would assign. If there are questions,
please call the state office for clarification.
FBLA State Awards Program
In preparing for the competitive events, refer to the FBLA National Chapter Management
Handbook as well as the 2015-2016 FBLA State Awards Program manual to check the number
of awards to be given at the State Leadership Conference and National Leadership Conference
eligibility. (These manuals are on line at both www.njfbla.org and www.fbla-pbl.org.) They
have also been sent to all advisers. If you do not have copies of these documents, let us know
and we will forward them to you.
FBLA State Leadership Conference
Information regarding the conference and all event registration forms are available on the
www.NJFBLA.org website. Forms may be filled out, saved on your computer, and should be
emailed, or mailed to the state office received no later than January 18, 2016.
1. All event forms must be typed and submitted on or before the deadline dates listed on the
forms.
All registration for the 2016 State Leadership Conference must be done online. You will
be receiving instructions for online registration in a separate email. All competitors
must be members of Future Business Leaders of America with dues paid by January 15,
2015. You will be notified as soon as registration for the State Leadership Conference is
available.
Events starting at the State Leadership Conference are below. All other events require
competitor to qualify at RCEs.
Partnership with Business Project
Business Ethics
Computer Game and Simulation Programming
Public Service Announcement
Desktop Application Programming
Community Service Project
Local Chapter Annual Business Report
E-Business
Publication Design
Digital Video Production
American Enterprise Project
Website Design
Electronic Career Portfolio
Publication Design
Impromptu Speaking
Public Speaking I
Public Speaking II
Emerging Business Issues
Scholarship
Business Plan Project
Business Financial Plan
Graphic Design
Sales Presentation
Social Media Campaign
Website Design
Scrapbook
Max 1 per Chapter
TEAM OF 2-3
INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM OF 2 or 3
INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM OF 2 or 3
TEAM OF 2-3
Max 1 per Chapter
Max 1 per Chapter
TEAM OF 2-3
INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM FO 2 OR 3
INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM OF 2 or 3
Max 1 per Chapter
INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM OF 2 or 3
INDIVIDUAL
INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM OF 2
INDIVIDUAL
INDIVIDUAL
INDIVIDUAL
TEAM OF 2-3
INDIVIDUAL
TEAM OF 2-3
TEAM OF 2-3
INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM OF 2 or 3
INDIVIDUAL
INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM OF 2 or 3
INDIVIDUAL OR TEAM OF 2 or 3
Max 1 per Chapter
2. Submit all report materials and production event materials via a traceable source. The
most efficient method of submitting materials is using FedEx overnight or UPS overnight.
Please Do Not Use Priority Express at the post office. The package can take up to five
days to reach us. When using these services, packages are delivered directly to the State
Office, not the college mail room. Some problems have been encountered with the receipt of
materials; this procedure will help. Remember, deadlines are RECIPT DEADLINES, NOT
POSTMARKED DEADLINES. Also note: Scrapbooks must be submitted to the State
Office by January 18, 2016.
3. When registering, remember that any student who placed at the RCE is eligible to
compete at the state level. A student choosing to participate in an event beginning at
the state level must relinquish his/her right to compete in the first event.
4. Eligibility: A student may enter only one individual event OR one team event at the SLC
with the exceptions of Who’s Who in FBLA, Gold Member Award, and Gold Officer Award,
chapter events and Battle of the Chapters. A student who has entered a certain event
before (on the regional, state, or national level) is not eligible to enter that event again
with the exceptions of team events when one member can repeat a competition one time.
(See 2015-2016 FBLA State Awards Program manual on the www.NJFBLA.org website).
5. NO substitutions will be permitted in the competitive events after the registration deadline
dates.
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6. This year there will be an opportunity for Middle Level members to compete at the State
Leadership Conference. Information will be sent to all Middle Level advisers.
7. Registration fee is $85 per person (students, advisers, and guests) and should be sent
directly to the FBLA state office received no later than Janauary 18, 2016. The check
should be made payable to "Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey". If the turnaround
time for the submission of SLC forms and the receipt of this packet is not sufficient for a
check to be written through your school system, make a note at the top of the registration
form that the check will follow. DO NOT DELAY MAILING REGISTRATION
FORMS TO WAIT FOR THE CHECK. The state office does not want to be in a position
to have to disqualify students from competition.
A registration fee must be paid for each competitor, even if he/she is entered in an event
that does not require attendance at the SLC. All competitors must be registered online
between December 15 and January 18. No registration refunds will be made. Submission
of a registration form is a commitment to pay.
ROOM/MEAL SPECIAL PACKAGE:
ALL ROOMING LISTS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO PAOLA RUALES-BASTIDAS ON
THE EXCEL SHEET PROVIDED. ROOM LISTS ARE DUE ON JANUARY 18TH. CHECKS
ARE DUE TO HARRAH’S ON FEBRUARY 10TH.
For Thursday Night Only:
Price per person for Quad Room: Tax Exempt: $101.79
Not Tax Exempt: $104.94
Price per person for Triple Room: Tax Exempt: $109.71
Not Tax Exempt: $113.91
Price per person for Double Room: Tax Exempt: $125.54
Not Tax Exempt: $131.84
Price per person for Single Room: Tax Exempt: $173.04
Not Tax Exempt: $185.64
For Wednesday and Thursday:
Price per person for Quad Room: Tax Exempt: $125.54
Not Tax Exempt: $131.84
Price per person for Triple Room: Tax Exempt: $141.37
Not Tax Exempt: $149.77
Price per person for Double Room: Tax Exempt: $173.04
Not Tax Exempt: $185.64
Price per person for Single Room: Tax Exempt: $268.04
Not Tax Exempt: $293.24
Prices include lunch for both days. If your chapter is staying overnight in the hotel, lunch is
included in the package for both days. Reasonably priced breakfast and dinner items may be
purchased at the hotel. There is a small food court available for commuting schools. If you
are a commuting school and wish to purchase lunch, the cost is $39.02.
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All schools that plan to reserve rooms must contact Paola Ruales-Bastidas at 609-441-5738 or
Ruales-BastidasP@harrahs.com. You must also pay in advance. Please see the attached excel
sheet for more details. The person listed on the room must be 21 years old (the chaperone).
Checks must be received by Harrah’s by February 10th or you will not be permitted to check in.
If you are purchasing meals only please contact Carly Spielvogel at 609-441-5902 or
CSpielvogel@harrahs.com. Checks must be received by Harrah’s by February 10th or you will
not be permitted to dine.
Hotel registration must be made directly with the Harrah’s, 609-441-5738, ask for Paola
Ruales-Bastidas. YOU MUST CONTACT HARRAH’S TO RESERVE ROOMS.
Rooming list must be provided to the hotel BY JANUARY 18TH. After the deadline date
reservations will be accepted on a space available basis.
Every effort will be made to provide a room for each chapter’s belongings upon arrival. The
rooms may not be ready for occupancy upon arrival; therefore, members and advisers must
arrive dressed in business attire, ready for the first general session and competitive events.
**Standard Harrah’s check-in and out times**
Check-in 4:00PM
Check-out 12:00PM
In order to take advantage of your tax-exempt status, a chapter must pay the hotel with a
school/chapter check made payable to the "Harrah’s Resort AC” and a tax exempt form
must be submitted in order to verify tax exempt status.
Payment policy: All reservations must be secured by January 18, 2016 with a credit card
or check for full payment based on the total length of stay. All incidental charges must be
paid in full upon departure.
8. Each chapter will receive 2 voting delegate ribbons. Each chapter will distribute these
ribbons to members they have chosen to be voting delegates.
9. The tentative schedule of the 56th State Leadership Conference follows.
programs will be provided at registration.)
(Detailed
Thursday, February 18, 2016
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Registration: Sufficient time should be planned to check into
the hotel and register during this time.
9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. State Officer Candidate Test
9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Advisers’ Overview
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Opening General Session
12:45 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. Lunch
1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Regional Campaign Rally
2:45 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Workshops, Regional Meetings, and Competitive Events
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Dinner
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8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Voting Delegates’ Caucus
9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Dance
Friday, February 19, 2016
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
8:15 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
1:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Breakfast
Voting For State Officers
Open Events
Awards Assembly I
Closing Banquet
Awards Assembly II
10. Skill events for Computer Applications, Word Processing, Spreadsheet Applications,
and Database Design & Applications, will be home based prior to the SLC. Competitors
in these categories will be notified as to when and where testing will take place and the
software that is available at each of the locations
11. A worksheet is included to act as a check-off sheet for competitive events. This is not a
registration form. It is a worksheet to make planning for competitors easier for you.
Do not send this form to the State Office. YOU MUST REGISTER ONLINE.
12. Finalists for presentation events will be notified at least two weeks prior to the State
Leadership Conference.
13. Participants with special needs (student, adviser, or guest) should be submitted on the
"Participants with Special Needs" form, received no later than January 18, 2016. Submit
one (1) form per person; duplicate if necessary.
14. Each state officer candidate for President, Membership Vice President, Community Service
Vice President, Regional Vice Presidents, Secretary, Historian, and Parliamentarian must
complete the "Application and Résumé" form as well as the “Adviser Responsibility” form.
The Parliamentarian candidates were required to take the Parliamentary Procedure test at the
Regional Competitive Events.
Before running a candidate for office, seriously consider the time and effort required of both
the student and the adviser. Schools where cooperation and release time cannot be obtained
for student and adviser should not consider running candidates. (In addition to the New
Jersey Fall, National Fall, Regional Summits, and State Leadership Conferences,
approximately six additional days would be missed during the school year.) Information for
state officer candidates is posted on the NJ website as well as sent to all advisers. No
mailings will be sent directly to the candidates. The following guidelines apply to state
officer candidates at the SLC:
a. An objective test on general knowledge of FBLA-PBL will be given on Thursday,
February 18 promptly at 9:30 AM. The test results will be made available to the
candidates and will be shared with the members. Failure to arrive on time for the test
may result in disqualification.
b. A campaign Income and Expense Report must be submitted at the time of the objective
test. Failure to do so at this time may result in disqualification.
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c. Campaign speeches for all officers will be given at the campaign rally on the first day.
Speeches are not to exceed a total of three minutes for both the campaign manager and
the candidate.
d. Campaign Booths will be assigned to candidates for state office. They will be set up
after the workshops (approximately 6:00 PM) and closed at 8:00 PM on Thursday,
February 18. No campaign materials are to be placed anywhere else in the hotel.
e. Campaigning will begin after the workshops (approximately 6:00 PM) Thursday,
February 18.
f. A caucus with voting delegates will be held on Thursday evening, February 18. All
state officer candidates and local chapter voting delegates must attend.
g. Voting will take place on the morning of Friday, February 19. Chapters attending for
only the first day will be allowed to cast ballots after 5:00 PM on Thursday, February
18.
h. All local chapters are entitled to two voting delegates at the State Leadership
Conference. They may or may not be in competitive events.
15. Attendance is required at all workshops and meetings. Only students who wish to
participate in the entire leadership experience of the SLC, and not just the competitive events,
should attend.
16. The chaperone ratio is one adviser/adult per ten students. This ratio will be strictly
enforced at this year’s conference.
17. The dress code is business attire at all times, except for the dance. As of January 2008, the
state officers revised the dress code for all conferences. It is on the website. Copy the
conference attire and distribute to all SLC delegates. Failure to comply with the
regulations will result in disqualification of individuals, teams, or chapters from competitive
events.
18. The Local Member Code of Conduct is posted on the website. The adviser should have
each student attending the SLC sign a copy of this form. Please stress to all delegates that
criminal charges can be pressed for pulling a fire alarm in a hotel when there is no fire.
19. Both state and national dues must be paid. A student may only register for the conference
or enter a competitive event if his/her dues are paid. Chapter advisers must check their paid
membership lists before entering students. State and national dues should be sent to the
national office and received by January 18, 2016.
20. Scantron machines will be used to grade the objective tests and to cast ballots for state
officer candidates this year. Therefore, students must use No. 2 pencils to mark their answers
on the answer sheets. Students must provide their own sharpened pencils. Calculators
will be provided in only those events that specify this option. Students may ONLY use
those calculators provided by New Jersey FBLA.
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21. Sponsors for the various competitive events are sought to defray the cost of SLC awards and
increase business and chapter involvement. The cost is $75 or $100, which covers the cost of
the awards and entitles a representative to attend the banquet luncheon and present the
awards at the awards assembly. If your chapter knows of a potential sponsor, contact the
State Office at (848) 445-9236.
22. Five (5) New Jersey FBLA Scholarships will be awarded at the SLC. The Christopher
Heider Memorial Scholarship the Frances E. Eggert Memorial Scholarship, the Mary Lynn
Fracaroli Memorial Scholarship and two other awards will be $500 each. Guidelines are
posted, the deadline is January 18, 2016. FBLA Scholarship Finalists will be notified by
January 30, 2016.
23. Johnson and Wales University Scholarships will be presented in the amounts of $1,000,
$750, and $500 to the first, second, and third-place winners of Accounting II, Banking &
Financial Systems (Team), Business Communication, Entrepreneurship (Team) and Digital
Design & Promotion.
24. Seating at the New Jersey FBLA State Leadership Conference will be determined according
to the following:
a) Number of points accumulated in the Passport of Progress (requirements are
included with this packet). Passport must be submitted with packet sent to the
State office, received by January 18, 2016.
b) First-come, first serve registration.
c) Late registrations received.
25. March of Dimes 2016 Bean Bag Bears ($5.00) and other items will be available for
purchase. Proceeds will go to the March of Dimes.
We do not wish to be in the position to refuse any student an opportunity to participate in the
FBLA State Leadership Conference, so please adhere to the deadline dates and guidelines and
take care in completion of the registration forms.
Submit registration fees, reports and prejudged projects to:
Rutgers Business School
New Jersey FBLA-PBL State Office
100 Rockafeller Road, Rm. 5029
Piscataway, NJ 08854
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UPDATE

Please Proofread all competitive event registrations. Be sure that you have entered
your members in the correct event.

The 2016 FBLA Regional Competitive Events registered nearly 4000 registered
participants.

FBLA-PBL Week is February 7-13, 2016. Your chapter is encouraged to sponsor
activities to promote an awareness of FBLA throughout your local community. The
New Jersey FBLA-PBL state officers are offering their services to become more
involved with the local chapters. They are available to serve as workshop presenters,
guest speakers, or local chapter program participants.

The FBLA National Leadership Conference will be held on June 29-July 2, 2016 in
Atlanta, GA. Let’s form another enthusiastic and winning delegation from New
Jersey! More information will be given at the State Leadership Conference.

Potential national officer candidates should submit a letter of intent and résumé to the
state office received by February 1, 2016.
If you have any questions, please call Ms. Nancy J. Ostrowski, NJ FBLA-PBL State Chair at
(848) 445-9236 or Ms. Megan Fishwick, Program Coordinator, at the FBLA-PBL state office at
(848) 445-9233. Inquiries should be made by advisers—not student members.
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