IMPROMPTU SPEAKING

Impromptu Speaking challenges members to think quickly and deliver a well-organized, engaging speech on a topic revealed onsite at the competition. Members demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively, organize ideas on the spot, and present with confidence under time constraints.

Event Overview

Division: High School
Event Type: Individual 
Event Category: Presentation
Event Elements: Speech with a topic on site
Presentation Time: 20-minute preparation time, 7-minute presentation time
Career Cluster Framework Connection: Marketing & Sales
NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Professionalism

Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened Pencil, Photo Identification, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code

Items FBLA Provides: Two notecards for each competitor and secret problem/scenario for preliminary and final rounds

District

Check with your District leadership for District-specific competition information.

State

Eligibility

·        FBLA membership dues are paid by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on December 1 (or earlier date specified by District Director) of the current program year.
·         Members may compete in an event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) more than once if they have not previously placed in the top 10 of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top 10 of an event at the NLC, they are no longer eligible to compete in that event.
·         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 district may be represented by participant(s) based on the Florida FBLA scaled quota system found on the Florida FBLA website.
·         Each member can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report).
·         Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
·         Identification: Competitors must present valid photo identification (physical) that matches the name on their conference name badge. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, or school ID.
·         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.
·         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 is 5.

Event Administration

·         This event is two rounds: a preliminary and final round.

·         Preliminary Round (Speech)

o   Preparation Time: 20 minutes
o   Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o   Question & Answer: None

o   The presentation is judged at the SLC. Preliminary presentations are not open to conference attendees.
o   Competitors/teams are randomly assigned to sections.
o   The speech topic may be related to FBLA or business-related topics.
o   Competitors will be provided with a single copy of the topic at the beginning of their assigned preparation time. This copy may only be accessed within the designated preparation area.
o   Two notecards will be provided to each competitor and may be used during event preparation and presentation. Information may be written on both sides of the notecards. Notecards will be collected following the role play.
o   No technology, reference materials or props or visuals are allowed.
o   Competition ethics demand that competitors and audience members do not discuss or reveal the role play until the event has ended.

·         Final Presentation (Speech)

o   Preparation Time: 20 minutes
o   Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o   Question & Answer: None

o   An equal number of competitors from each section in the preliminary round will advance to the final round.
o   The presentation guidelines outlined above will apply to the final presentation.

Scoring

·         The preliminary presentation score will determine the finalists.
·         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.

Recording of Presentations

·         No unauthorized audio or video recording devices will be allowed in any competitive event.
·         Participants in the events should be aware FBLA reserves the right to record any presentation for use in study or training materials.

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.

Penalty Points

·         Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Competitive Event Guidelines or the Honor Code.

Electronic Devices

·         Unless approved as part of a documented accommodation, all cell phones, smartwatches, electronic devices, and headphones must be turned off and stored away before the competition begins. Visible devices during the event will be considered a violation of the FBLA Honor Code.

National

If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/