Ms Exploring business issues
Exploring Business Issues provides members with the opportunity to research a business topic and present their findings and solutions. This competitive event consists of a presentation component.
Event Overview
Division: Middle School
Event Type: Team of 1, 2 or 3 members
Event Category: Presentation
Event Elements: Presentation with a Topic
Presentation Time: 3-minute set-up time, 7-minute presentation time, 3-minute question & answer time
Career Cluster Framework Connection: Management & Entrepreneurship
NACE Competency Alignment: Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Professionalism, Technology
Items Provided by Competitors: Technology and presentation items, Conference-provided nametag, Attire that meets the Florida FBLA Dress Code
Items Provided by FBLA: Table
2025-2026 Topic
AI in Customer Service: Helpful or Too Much?
Many companies use artificial intelligence (AI) tools like chatbots to help customers and give suggestions.
How would utilizing a chatbot within a customer service setting be helpful for a business looking to add this feature? How can a business use AI in a way that helps their business be successful and not a detriment?
District
Check with your District Leader 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 school 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 ten of that event at the National Leadership Conference (NLC). If a member places in the top ten of an event at 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 (Annual Activities, Community Service Project).
· Each competitor must compete in all parts of an event for award eligibility.
· Only registered competitors are permitted to plan, research, prepare, and set up their presentations. Advisers and others may not assist.
· All members of a team must be from the same local chapter.
· To be eligible for an award, each competitor must complete all components of the event at the State Leadership Conference.
· 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 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
o Equipment Set-up Time: 3 minutes
o Presentation Time: 7 minutes (one-minute warning)
o Question & Answer Time: 3 minutes
o Internet Access: Not provided
o The presentation is judged at the SLC. Preliminary presentations may be open to conference attendees if space allows.
o Competitors/teams are randomly assigned to sections.
o Timing: The presentation time is exclusive to the allotted times. Once the set-up time has been reached, the presentation time automatically begins. The presentation time shall not exceed the stated time, meaning that the set-up and Q&A time cannot be used as presentation time.
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 (such as a presentation clicker or mouse) are allowed.
o External speakers are not allowed. Only device audio can be used.
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 If performing as a team, all team members are expected to actively participate in the presentation.
o Restricted Items: Animals (except authorized service animals), Food (for display only; may not be consumed by judges during the presentation), Links and QR codes (for display only; cannot be clicked or scanned by judges before, during, or after the presentation)
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 Event Specific Information
· Alternative solutions with pros and cons: Present multiple solutions with thoughtful evaluation of advantages and disadvantages.
· Effective and logical recommendation: Provide a well-reasoned recommendation supported by evidence and analysis.
· Uses technology effectively: Applies digital tools or visuals to enhance clarity and impact of the presentation.
· Final Presentation Information
o The above presentation guidelines will be in effect for the final presentation.
o An equal number of competitors/teams from each section in the preliminary round will advance to the final round. If there are fewer than 15 teams, the final round may be eliminated.
Scoring
· The preliminary presentation score will determine the finalists.
· The final presentation score will determine the winners.
· Judges must break ties.
· 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.
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.
Electronic Devices
· All electronic devices such as cell phones and watches of any type must not be brought to the testing site.
National
If you are competing on the National level, be sure to see National guidelines at https://www.fbla.org/divisions/fbla-middle-level/competitive-events/