2018SLC Guide

April 20-21, 2018

2 2018 State Leadership Conference Guide

Welcome

This year’s SLC in Lake Charles is only weeks away and will be filled with achievement, excitement, and opportunity at every turn. The workshops will feature informative, motivational sessions on a variety of topics to help you Elevate Your Future. The campus of McNeese State University is sure to compliment this action-packed conference. Mark your calendars now to attend this one-of-a-kind experience.

Table of ContentsPreliminary Conference Schedule..............Professional Division Information..............Conference Registration..............................

Online RegistrationRegistration RatePaymentEquipment for Competitive EventsWorkshop Topics

Conference Preparation Information........Preparing for Competitive Events...............Competitive Events and Test-taking Tips...FBLA-PBL Dress Code...................................Campaigning and Voting..............................Lake Charles Information............................March of Dimes March for Babies..............National Anthem SingersHotel Information.........................................

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Preliminary Conference ScheduleSchedule is tentative. Times & functions are subject to change without notice.

Friday

7:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.9:30 a.m. - completion9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.Midnight

Saturday

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.To FollowTo Follow

RegistrationOpening SessionBusiness TourPerformance EventsWorkshopsCampaign BoothState Officer Candidate Q&APresident’s ReceptionCurfew

State Voting SessionMarch of Dimes Mini-WalkProfessional Division MeetingPBL State MeetingAwards of ExcellenceNLC MeetingNew State Officer Meeting

Professional Division

This year, professional division members of both FBLA and PBL will have the opportunity to enact bylaws to

create a Professional Division State Chapter.

The potential bylaws will be emailed to all Louisiana Professional Division members by April 6th.

At the Professional Division Meeting/Reception listed below, PD members will elect their first state officer team.

We hope to see you there!

Saturday, April 21, 20189:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Room 122Burton Business Center

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to receive competitive event schedule updates and other important conference news.

Use hashtag #SLC18LA: • Twitter | @lapbl • Instagram | @louisianapbl

STAY UP-TO-DATE AT THE #SLC18LA

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CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Online Registration

Online registration for the 2018 State Leadership Conference is available at www.lapbl.org/program/conferences/slc/.

To preregister, registrations must be entered online by the end of the regular registration period. SLC registration questions can be directed to conferences@lapbl.org.

Deadline

Preregistration and payments must be received no later than March 23rd. SLC registration questions can be directed to conferences@lapbl.org.

Make sure your school’s accounting department is aware of the registration and payment deadline.

Registration Rate

Register by March 23rd to be able to compete at this year’s State Leadership Conference. Competitive Event Registration closes at midnight on March 23rd.

Regular Registration | On or before March 23 | $35Late Registration | March 24 - April 6 | $40Onsite Registration | April 7 - onsite | $45

Late and onsite registrants are not eligible to compete.

Payment

Acceptable forms of payment are a chapter check or money order. Make checks payable to LA PBL. Personal member checks will not be accepted.

If your school is not paid in full, students will be ineligible to compete in competitions.

Send SLC registration payments to:

LA PBL5827 Common Street

Lake Charles, LA 70607

Guest Registration

Guests are nonmembers of Louisiana PBL and FBLA-PBL, including spouses, children, and parents. Advisers and members do not qualify for guest registration. The SLC guest registration includes a name badge, conference program, and admission only to the opening and closing sessions.

Registration Hours and Location

Pick up your chapter’s registration packet at the Burton Business Center Room 129, during the hours listed on the conference schedule. A member or chapter adviser may pick up the chapter registration packet. Partial packets will not be distributed.

Equipment for Competitive Events

While every effort will be made to ensure that a projector with basic connector cables (HDMI/VGA) for PC’s is available, there is no guarantee that the equipment will be in working condition and/or available for use. Participants with PowerPoint presentations will have to display the PowerPoint on their own computer with/without a projector. Participants may elect to bring their own LCD projectors, if desired. Participants using Apple products or other devices that do not have a VGA port or HDMI port will need to provide their own adapters. There will not be any scheduled practice time to set up projectors.

Workshop Topics

As the SLC approaches, check the website for a complete listing of workshops and descriptions. If you would like to suggest a topic or recommend a speaker, please email conferences@lapbl.org. Workshops are subject to change.

Workshop topics focus on business ethics, careers of the future, graduate education information (applications, funding, etc.), communication, community service, cyber security, e-commerce, entrepreneurship, etiquette for the job, finance, hospitality, international/global business, job skills, management, marketing, social media (Google Apps, latest tools, etc.), technology (web, gaming, networking, future, etc.) and FBLA-PBL programs. Workshops are geared specifically for students, advisers, and Professional Division members.

Use #SLC18LA in all your tweets, Instagram photos, and Facebook posts!

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CONFERENCE PREPARATION

Conference Preparation Information

Here are some tips to help you prepare for the conference:

• Make sure your chapter has paid state and national dues for all members.

If you have a student who is competing:• Carefully read the 2017–18 Competitive Events Program guidelines, which are in your Chapter Management Handbook.• Conference registration must be paid in order to compete.

Schedule a meeting with all conference attendees:• Discuss expenses and help students determine how much money is needed for registration, hotel, and food. Meals are not included in the conference registration fee.• Discuss appropriate clothing to pack.

• Be sure all forms are signed.• Review all travel plans with attendees.• Emphasize the importance of participating in conference activities to the fullest extent.

Before you depart for the conference:• If you did not receive a hotel confirmation, call the hotel to confirm your reservation was received. Document the name of the hotel representative and the date and time of your conversation.• Bring to the conference copies of your original hotel reservation and conference registration forms.

At the conference:• Schedule a meeting with attendees after you’ve arrived at the conference and picked up your registration packet.• Review the conference program in detail.

Preparation for Competitive Events

Online Events:• Arrive 15 minutes early to your scheduled online event.• Bring a basic calculator for simple calculations. Bring financial calculators for Accounting, Finance, and the Statistical Analysis events.• Cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed.• Listen to the directions carefully.

Performance Events:• Review the national guidelines and rating sheets on the national website (www.fbla-pbl.org) or the Chapter Management Handbook.• Introduce yourself, providing your name, school, and city.• Offer your hand for a handshake in the interview events.• Make eye contact with the judges.• All team members must participate in the presentation.• Many performance events are interactive. Judges may roleplay or ask questions during the presentation. Review the guidelines and rating sheets.

Competitive Events and Test-taking Tips

General Rules and Tips:• SLC registration must be paid to compete.• Make sure you follow the FBLA-PBL Dress Code. Do not chance disqualification or point deductions because of improper attire. If you are questioning whether your attire is proper, it probably is not.• Make sure you know where the performance room is located before your event time.• Remember, elevators may be slow, so allow ample time.• Get plenty of rest the night before your competition.• Bring a writing instrument.• Name badges must be worn or shown for all performance events. The performance participants may take off their name badges when presenting.

Visit the MarketPlace at fblamarketplace.com for all your Competitive Events preparation materials!

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Campaigning and VotingThis is where candidates display literature at their campaign booths and where you can talk with them about their platforms. Don’t miss the spirited competition and bid for delegate votes by the candidates and their campaign teams.

State Officer ElectionsAn important and exciting part of the SLC is the election of the 2018–19 state officers. Students interested in running for state office can download the State Officer Candidate Guide at www.lapbl.org/resources/.

Local Voting DelegatesLocal FBLA voting delegates vote on the election of all state officers officers (president, vice president, secretary/treasurer, reporter, and historian) and bylaw amendments. The number of voting delegates to which a chapter is entitled is determined as follows:

• Less than 50 paid chapter members: 2 voting delegates• 50–100 paid chapter members: 3 voting delegates• More than 100 paid chapter members: 4 voting delegates

No chapter may have more voting delegates than the number of members in attendance at the SLC. For example, even though a chapter is entitled to three voting delegates, if only two members are present, only two votes may be cast. To qualify as a voting delegate, members must:

• Pay PBL national, state, and local dues no later than March 23.

GENERAL INFORMATION

FBLA-PBL Dress Code*Revised 1/9/2009

FBLA-PBL members and advisers should develop an awareness of the image one’s appearance projects. The purpose of the dress code is to uphold the professional image of the association and its members and to prepare students for the business world. Appropriate attire is required for all attendees—advisers, members, and guests—at all general sessions, competitive events, regional meetings, workshops, and other activitiesunless otherwise stated in the conference program. Conference name badges are part of this dress code and must be worn for all conference functions.

Professional attire acceptable for official FBLA-PBL activities includes:Males

• Business suit with collared dress shirt and necktie• Sport coat, dress slacks, collared shirt, and necktie• Dress slacks, collared shirt, and necktie• Banded collar shirt may be worn only if sport coat or business suit is worn• Dress shoes and socks

Females• Business suit with blouse• Business pantsuit with blouse• Skirt or dress slacks with blouse or sweater• Business dress• Capris or gauchos with coordinating jacket/suit, worn below the knee• Dress shoes

Inappropriate attire, for both men and women, includes:

• Jewelry in visible body piercing, other than ears• Denim or chambray fabric clothing of any kind, overalls, shorts, skorts, stretch or stirrup pants, exercise/bike shorts, or flannel fabric clothing• Backless, see-through, tight-fitting, spaghetti straps, strapless, extremely short, or low-cut blouses/tops/ dresses/skirts• T-shirts, Lycra™, spandex, midriff tops, tank tops, bathing suits• Sandals, athletic shoes, industrial work shoes, hiking boots, bare feet, or over-the-knee-boots• Athletic wear, including sneakers• Hats or bolo ties• Visible foundation garments

CLARIFICATION—Many women’s two-piece suits are currently designed so that they do not require a blouse. Therefore, this will be accepted. In addition, sling-back shoes, open-toe shoes, and sleeveless dresses are accepted.

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LAKE CHARLES INFORMATION

About Lake CharlesThe city of Lake Charles overlooks a freshwater lake with the only white-sand inland beach along the Gulf Coast. Local legends say the pirate Jean Lafitte made Lake Charles, Louisiana his hideaway and left behind hidden treasure on the shores of the lake.

This legend is celebrated each year with the state’s 2nd longest festival, Louisiana Pirate Festival. Held annually the first two weeks in May, the festival features a re-enactment of Jean Lafitte and the Buccaneers taking over the city, complete with cannons and a “walking of the plank” by the city’s mayor.

Live music, authentic Cajun delicacies, carnival rides and many other attractions are also featured during the famous Lake Charles festival.

Other annual Lake Charles, Louisiana events include Mardi Gras, the Cajun French Music and Food Festival and the Red White Blue & You Festival… just to name a few!

The nightlife is non-stop in Lake Charles. There are plenty of nightclubs featuring live music and evening fun. Golfers will enjoy a choice of several popular courses including a nationally ranked facility and for sportsmen, the hunting and fishing in and around Lake Charles, Louisiana is one of its greatest attributes.

Visitor InformationFor more detailed information about Lake Charles, visit visitlakecharles.org or call 1-800-456-7952.

Louisiana PBL and March of Dimes will sponsor a March for Babies Mini-Walk to celebrate our partnership and raise money for March of Dimes. All members and advisers are encouraged to participate and contribute to the March of Dimes.Remember to bring your $5 donation and get ready to have a great time!

Mini-Walk | Saturday, April 21 | 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

National Anthem SingersDo you sing? We are looking for a PBL member to sing the national anthem in traditional style at SLC. Interested performers should visit www.lapbl.org/program/conferences/SLC for more details. If selected, soloist must be a paid registrant of the conference. Audition receipt deadline is March 30.

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Hotel Information

Hotel and Room RatesHoliday Inn & Suites Lake Charles South

2940 Lake StreetLake Charles, LA 70601

Ph: (337) 310-7700

Hotel Room Rates

Room rates for the Holiday Inn & Suites Lake Charles South are:

*Amount listed does not include tax.

Hotel and Tax Exemption If you meet the tax exemption requirements, you will only be exempt from the state sales tax. You must have a valid Louisiana Tax Exempt Form.

Single/Double* $119.99

Triple/Quad* $119.99

Hotel Reservation InformationBefore the Conference

The deadline for making hotel reservation using the PBL rate is April 6. Reservations received after this date will be made on a space-available basis.

The rate code is MCS.

The balance due for room rates and taxes must be paid at the time you check in to the hotel.

When You Arrive

Hotel check-in time is 3:00 p.m. Plan your arrival after that time. If you arrive earlier than the check-in time, the hotel will make every effort to assign as many rooms as possible.

Hotel checkout time is 12:00 p.m.

Verify your departure date on arrival. Early departure may result in a penalty fee.

Tips for a Smoother Hotel Check-in• Do not wait until check-in to change reservations. If you must make a change in your reservation, call the hotel directly; document the name of the person you spoke with and the date and time of the conversation.• Bring copies of your original reservation form with any changes that were called or faxed to your hotel.• Although you only need to send a deposit, paying the full amount in advance will speed your check-in time.• If you have not received a hotel confirmation prior to leaving for the conference, call the hotel and verify your reservation. Document your conversation.

Car Rental DiscountsDrive Happy® with Alamo, where FBLA-PBL members save on everyday low prices*. With self-serve check-in, you can skip the counter, check in at the kiosk, and drive away. All you need is a valid driver’s license and a major credit card. It’s that easy.

Visit alamo.com/offer/FBLA or call Alamo at 800.462.5266 to make a reservation. Be sure to request Contract ID# 7000461 at the time of reservation.

*Discount applies to base rate only at participating locations. Discount varies by rental date, location, and vehicle type. Taxes, other governmentally-authorized or imposed surcharges, license and concession recoupment fees, airport and airport facility fees, fuel, additional driver fee, one-way rental charge, and optional items (such as CDW up to US $30 per day) are extra. In the United States, check your insurance and/or credit card for rental vehicle coverage. Renter must meet standard age, driver, and credit requirements. 24-hour advance reservation required. May not be combined with other discounts. Availability is limited. Subject to change without notice. Blackout dates may apply. Void where prohibited. Alamo and Drive Happy are trademarks of Alamo Rent A Car. ©2010 Alamo Rent A Car. All rights reserved.