INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING
Introduction to Public Speaking gives members the opportunity to develop and deliver a speech on a designated topic. This event helps members build confidence, organize ideas, and strengthen their verbal communication skills through a live presentation.
Event Overview
Division: High School (9th and 10th grades only)
Event Type: Individual
Event Category: Presentation
Event Elements: Speech
Presentation Time: 5-minute presentation time, 2-minute Q & A
Career Cluster Framework Connection: Marketing & Sales
NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Professionalism
Items Competitor Must Provide: Sharpened pencil, Photo Identification, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code
Equipment Provided by FBLA: None
2025-2026 Topic
Develop and deliver a speech based on the following topic:
Social Media Smarts: Building a Positive Online Presence
Deliver a speech on how students can use social media responsibly while protecting their reputation and making a positive impact. Discuss strategies for staying safe, being respectful, and thinking before posting.
How can teens make smart choices online that reflect their values and future goals?
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 in order 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 competitor can only compete in one individual/team event and one chapter event (Community Service Project, Local Chapter Annual Business Report).
· 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.
· Only competitors are allowed to plan, research, and prepare 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.
· 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 has two parts: preliminary presentation and final presentation
· Preliminary Presentation Information: The Speech
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. Preliminary presentations are not open to conference attendees.
o Competitors are randomly assigned to sections.
o The speech must be developed around the topic.
o Restricted items: Animals, except for authorized service animals, reference materials such as visual aids, props, handouts, or electronic devices.
o All competitors must comply with state and federal copyright laws.
o Facts and data must be cited using credible sources.
o When delivering the speech, competitors may use notes prepared before the event.
· Final 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 An equal number of competitors from each section in the preliminary round will advance to the final round. When there are more than five sections of preliminary presentations for an event, two competitors from each section will advance to the final round.
o Final presentations may be open to conference attendees, space permitting. Finalists may not view other competitors’ presentation in their event.
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.
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 you are competing on the National level, be sure to see the National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla/fbla-competitive-events/