Competitive events · 01

State Leadership Conference

Choose a business event, prepare with your chapter, and follow the regional, state, and national competition pathway.

2026–27 event guidelines

Eligibility: Must be currently/previously enrolled in an approved business course to attend SLC, except for JA Titans and Scrapbook, which do not require a business course. Must have dues paid and meet the grade, team-size, and entry rules for the chosen event.
Registration: Registration and sign up for events begins in October.
Deadlines: Oct - Nov: SLC Registration period Nov - Dec: Studying and practice for events. Dec/Jan: Mini-conference (Minicon) takes place. Practice events are judged/tested with feedback.

01 — Conference pathway

Regionals → States → Nationals

01
Regional competition
Nov 30 – Dec 2, 2026
New Jersey high school regional testing take place in January; the Central NJ summit is January 28 in Robbinsville. Objective testers who advance from Regionals move on to State Leadership Conference testing February 8-10.
02
State Leadership Conference
March 8–10, 2027
Harrah’s Resort, Atlantic City. Advancement and entry requirements depend on your event.
03
National Leadership Conference
June 23–26, 2027
Qualifying competitors represent New Jersey at nationals in Columbus, Ohio. NJ FBLA requires chapters to arrive June 22; check your event’s national qualification rules.

NJ FBLA dates & updates National conference details

02 — Event selection

6 Types of Events

Objective Tests

Study key business concepts and take a timed multiple-choice exam. Tests subject knowledge, accuracy, and time management across a range of FBLA topics.

Accounting I & II · Business Law · Economics · Introduction to Business · Personal Finance · Securities & Investments

Presentations

Build a presentation, rehearse with a team, and present to judges at SLC. Develop teamwork, public speaking, and real-world problem-solving skills.

Business Plan · Marketing · Sales Presentation · Public Speaking · Hospitality & Event Management

Role Plays

Get an impromptu business scenario, prepare your response in a limited time, and present your solution to judges. Tests adaptability, critical thinking, and decision-making under pressure.

Banking & Financial Systems · Client Service · Help Desk · Management Decision Making

Production & Design

Create and submit a project before the conference, such as code, spreadsheets, videos, or design files. Show off your technical, creative, and problem-solving skills through a judged deliverable.

Coding & Programming · Website Design · Spreadsheet Applications · Graphic Design · Computer Applications

JA Titans

Test your business decision-making in the JA Titans simulation.

No business course is required to attend.

Scrapbook

Document the chapter's activities and accomplishments in a judged scrapbook.

No business course is required to attend.

03 — Preparation

General tips

Be prepared for interruptions by judges.
If the event allows visuals, students should prepare visuals but shouldn’t rely on them.
No more than 24 words on a slide. 6 words x 4 lines.
Use clickers.
If a team event, make sure all team members present an equal amount.
Each student should lead a different piece.
Practice in front of different groups of people, including non-business people.
Assume your judges don’t know as much as you do about the topic you are presenting.
Take 30 seconds and ground them in the basics.
Define vocabulary used.
Try to be memorable and creative.
If on a team, coordinate outfits.

04 — Documents

Competitive events poster

Open official poster (PDF)2026–27 national schedule (PDF)

Regionals → States → Nationals

Regional competition