Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) brought together more than 16,000 students and academic advisers from forty-eight states and territories to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, from June 28 – July 2, 2024.  The annual FBLA National Leadership Conference is an opportunity for the best career and technical education (CTE) students in the nation to compete in more than one hundred competitive events, workshops sessions with industry leaders, state meetings, expo exhibit hall, and networking throughout the conference with the traditional state pin trading.

Waukon FBLA had nine members in attendance including Cole Benzing, Halea Corwin, Hayden Dahlstrom, Lauryn Howard, Issac Johanningmeier, Taylor Kiel, Reagan Lubahn, McKinley Rostvold, and Carlee Thorstenson along with their advisers Laurel Keenan and Joanne Ericson. Overall there were 117 FBLA members representing the state of Iowa at the National Conference in a variety of business, entrepreneurship, and computer science competitive events.

The trip and conference were a great educational experience and a success for everyone. The five members performed in the following events; Lauryn in Partnership with a Business, Halea and Cole in Business Ethics, Carlee in Data Analysis, Reagan and Taylor in Hospitality and Event Management, Issac in Mobile Apps, McKinley in Client Services and Hayden in Financial Statement Analysis. While we did not have a top 10 placer, the state of Iowa had one placer from New Hampton who placed 4th in Securities and Investments. Also to note, Cole Benzing, our Waukon FBLA chapter president, participated in his first public event as a state officer, assisting and speaking at the state meeting at the national conference as well as other duties throughout the event.

Students had the opportunity to experience local tourism in and around Orlando including Universal Studios and Cocoa Beach. Thank you to all that supported our fundraisers as well as the donations that were provided to help make this conference opportunity possible.