EVENT PLANNING

Event Planning allows members to demonstrate their knowledge of the event planning industry by developing and presenting a plan for a real event. Members showcase their event planning skills in organization, budgeting, promotion, and logistics through a live presentation.

Event Overview

Division: High School
Event Type: Team of 1, 2 or 3 members
Event Category: Presentation Event
Event Elements: Presentation
Presentation: 3-minute set-up, 7-minute presentation time (one-minute warning), 3-minute Q&A
Career Cluster Framework Connection: Hospitality, Events, & Tourism
NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork

Items Provided by Competitors: Sharpened pencil for objective test and role play, Photo Identification, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code

Items Provided by FBLA: Two notecards for each competitor and secret problem/scenario for role play

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.
·         All members of a team must consist of individuals from the same chapter.
·         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 an objective test, they may be either disqualified or permitted to begin late with no extension of the time as scheduled. 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: preliminary presentation and final presentation

· Preliminary Interactive Role Play Presentation

o   Equipment Set up Time: 3 minutes
o   Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o   Question & Answer: 3 minutes
o   Important: Time allocations are exclusive. The presentation must begin immediately after the 3-minute set-up time concludes. Time may not be shifted between segments. Competitors will not interact with judges during the set-up period.
o   Presentation occur in person at the State Leadership Conference (SLC).
o   Competitors/teams are randomly assigned to presentation sections.
o   Internet Access: Not Provided
o   Presentations must be delivered using one or two personal devices (laptop, tablet, mobile phone, or monitor approximately laptop-sized).
o   If using two devices, one must face the judges and the other must face the presenters.
o   Projectors and projector screens are not permitted, and competitors may not bring their own.
o   Wireless slide advancers (e.g., presentation clickers or mice) are allowed.
o   External speakers are not allowed; audio must come directly from the presenting device(s).
o   Electricity will not be available.
o   Visual aids, samples, notes, and other physical materials related to the project may be used.
o   Items may be placed on the provided table or on the judges table, if space allows.
o   No items may be left with the judges following the presentation.
o   Restricted Items: Animals, except for authorized service animals; Food, which may be used for display only and may not be consumed by judges; Links and QR codes, which may be shown but may not be scanned or clicked by judges at any time.
o   Information must be supported by credible, well-documented sources.
o   Any use of copyrighted material, images, logos, or trademarks must be properly documented.
o   In team presentations, all members must actively participate in the delivery of the presentation.
o   Event Specific Information: The presentation should include information and evidence about the actual event

· Event Overview: Purpose, goals, target audience, event type

· Planning Process: Timeline, task assignments, planning meetings

· Budget: Full income/expense breakdown (include donations, in-kind, revenue)

· Logistics: Venue, vendors, staffing, layout diagrams

· Marketing & Promotion: Targeted strategies used to promote the event

· Legal & Risk Management: Contracts, insurance, permits, safety plans

· Execution Summary: Date of event, photos, challenges and how they were handled

· Evaluation & Reflection: Attendance and satisfaction metrics, budget outcome (under/over), lessons learned and improvement recommendations, evidence of attendee feedback

· Final Interactive Role Play Presentation

Scoring

·         The initial role play presentation scores only will be used to determine the finalists.
·         The final role play presentation scores only will be used to determine the winners.
·         Decisions of the judges are final. Judges are responsible for breaking all ties in both preliminary and final rounds. All judging 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

· All electronic devices such as cell phones, headphones, and watches of any type are not to be brought to the testing site.

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/