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PUBLIC SPEAKING (collegiate)
Public Speaking allows members to develop and deliver a well-structured speech on a designated topic. This event helps members enhance their confidence, clarity, and persuasive communication skills through a live presentation before a panel of judges.
Event Overview
Division: Collegiate
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Presentation
Event Elements: Speech with a Topic
Presentation Time: 5-minute presentation time
Question & Answer: 2 minutes
Important: Time allocations are exclusive. Time may not be shifted between segments.
2026-2027 Topic
The Power of Community Engagement in Business and Leadership
In today's interconnected world, how can individuals and organizations create meaningful change through community service and local involvement while strengthening leadership, building relationships, and making a lasting impact?
Items Provided by Competitors: Conference-provided nametag, Photo Identification, Attire that meets the FBLA Dress Code
State
Eligibility
· FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on February 1st of the current program year.
· Members must be registered for the SLC and pay the state conference registration fee in order to participate in competitive events.
· Members must stay within the official FBLA housing block of the official FBLA hotel to be eligible to compete.
· Each chapter may submit one student in this event.
· On the state level, each member can compete in up to three different events in the following combinations: three objective tests OR two objective tests and one presentation OR two objective tests and one production or one objective test and two production OR one objective test, one presentation, and one production. Students may enter the Christopher Heider, Rob Kelleher, Who’s Who event, and one Chapter event (Community Service, State of the Chapter) in addition to their above chosen events.
· Picture identification (physical or digital: driver’s license, passport, state-issued identification, or school-issued identification) matching the conference nametag is required when checking in for competitive events.
· Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, prepare, and set up their presentations.
· Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
· If competitors are late for a presentation time, they may be disqualified or placed later in the schedule. The decision is solely up to the judges. If judges have left the competitive event area, it is no longer possible to compete.
· Participants must adhere to the Florida FBLA dress code established by the Florida Board of Directors or they will not be permitted to participate in the competitive event.
Recognition
· The number of competitors will determine the number of winners. The maximum number of winners for each competitive event on the state level is 4.
Event Administration
· This event has two rounds: preliminary and final presentation (speech) round. If there are less than 15 competitors registered, the presentation component will proceed directly to the final presentation round.
Preliminary Presentation Information
o Presentation Time: 5 minutes (one-minute warning)
o Question & Answer (Q&A): 2 minutes
o Important: Time allocations are exclusive. Time may not be shifted between segments.
o The presentation is judged at the SLC. Presentations are not open to conference attendees.
o Competitors/teams are randomly assigned to sections.
o Restricted Items
· Animals, except for authorized service animals.
· Reference materials such as visual aids, props, handouts or electronic devices.
o Copyright Compliance
· All competitors must comply with state and federal copyright laws.
· Facts and data must be cited using credible sources.
o Event Specific Information
· The speech must be developed around the topic.
· When delivering the speech, competitors may use notes prepared before the event.
Final Presentation Information
o If needed, final presentations follow the same guidelines as preliminary presentations.
Scoring
· The preliminary presentation score will determine the finalists.
· The final presentation score will determine the winners.
· If only one section, the final presentation score will determine the winners.
· Judges must break ties. All judges’ decisions are final. Results announced at the State Leadership Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the State Leadership Conference.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
· FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to determine eligibility and appropriate support.
Recording of Presentations
· No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
· Competitors in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.
Penalty Points
· Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.
National
If competing at the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/collegiate/competitive-events/