The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference (SLC) is an annual event with multiple workshops, presentations, and competitive events. Taking place at the Hilton Anaheim and the Anaheim Convention Center, the four-day conference encapsulates a professional setting. This prominent conference serves as a vital professional setting, allowing FBLA members to fully immerse themselves in the complexities of business.
A cornerstone of FBLA is its commitment to professionalism, deeply embedded in its strict dress codes and rules. These guidelines are integral components that enhance the overall environment, enabling members to authentically experience a professional business setting.
Upon arrival, members settle into their hotel rooms with some immediately heading to their competitive events.
Competitive events in FBLA cover a vast array of topics, with objective testing including accounting, entrepreneurship, financial math, and many others. Additionally, presentation events, roleplay events, and case studies are available as competitive events for students.
These events provide a space where students showcase what they’ve learned and excel in events they studied for. For objective testing, students utilized the various ballrooms available at the Anaheim Convention Center. Once inside, rows upon rows of professionally dressed and prepared students sat waiting to take the test they’d been waiting for.
Once it began, silence fell over the room as everyone focused on the screen in front of them. They face the challenge of answering 100 questions in 50 minutes.
Dulce Lopez, senior and 2024-2025 FBLA president, shares the process behind event selection. She explained that students picked their events primarily based on their personal “interest, as well as where we think they’d be a good fit.” This strategic approach ensures that students remain highly motivated and deeply dedicated to their chosen competitive events, ultimately maximizing their potential for success.
For many members, this year’s State Leadership Conference marked their inaugural experience. Sophia Hum, freshman, and Makayla Rose Alcoran, freshman, shared their impressions as both first-time FBLA attendees and newly minted Gabrielino High School Eagles. “We were excited. I was nervous. I knew it was going to be a lot harder and competitive,” shares Alcoran.
Amidst higher competition and competitors from all over the state, Gabrielino enjoyed some success.
Nicholas Sun, sophomore, placed fourth in Introduction to Business Procedures. Dulce Lopez, senior, Emily Yu, junior, and Angelina Dieu, sophomore, placed sixth in the Business Annual Chapter Report.
Beyond the notable successes of its students, the Gabrielino FBLA chapter also saw its dedicated advisor, Janiece Thorp, receive well-deserved recognition as the FBLA Advisor of the Year. This prestigious award underscores her commitment and invaluable guidance to the students.
After a busy time preparing and leading up to the conference, FBLA President Dulce Lopez takes a moment to reflect and offer valuable advice for prospective members. “If you plan to join FBLA, I’m sure from an outside perspective it does look like a lot of professional commitment, but I hope that the way it’s perceived from the outside view doesn’t diminish the excitement and fun you can have.”
