In 1937 Dr. Hamden L. Forkner came up with the "FBLA Concept". The National Counsil for Business Education accepted sponsorship of the club three years later, in the fall of 1940. Finally, on February 3, 1942 the first high school chapter of FBLA was chartered in Johnson City, Tennessee. Since then three other organizations have "branched" off of FBLA. The first Phi Beta Lambda was chartered in Iowa in 1958; the Alumni Division (now known as the Professional Division) began in 1979; and the FBLA Middle Level for people in grades 5-9 began in 1994.
Future Business Leaders of America is a nonprofit educational organization designed to help prepare students for careers in business or business-related careers. FBLA's goals are:
In order to accomplish the above goals FBLA holds several Leadership Conferences and competitions throughout the year. It also sends publications such as Tomorrow's Business Leader to its members in order to bring fresh ideas, new directions, and network-building news. Tomorrow's Business Leader is sent to FBLA members four times yearly.
With a membership of over 215,000 students, FBLA has had an annual increase in membership. Louisiana FBLA alone has more than 200 chapters with over 7,000 members. FBLA is funded by membership dues, conference fees, and corporate contributions and grants.
FBLA holds several Leadership Conferences throughout the year that make up the "FBLA Experience." Each conference is its own experience and has its own purpose and personality. You haven't experienced FBLA unti you've been to a Leadership Conference. Below is a description of each conference.
National Conference
Each year the FBLA National Leadership Conference is held in a major U.S. city. Only the best of the best make it to Nationals. Those who are lucky enough to make it this far have experienced the best that FBLA has to offer. Here national competitions are held, famous speakers speak, and you get to see FBLA spirit at its finest! The Institute for Leaders is held during the National Conference. The Institute is a four-day seminar which is designed to help FBLA advisors, officers (national and local alike), and members build leadership and career skills that will last a lifetime. For more information click on the "Conferences" link at the left or check out the "FBLA-PBL" link at the right.
State Conferences
Pickering High School is located in the "Bayou State" of Louisiana. The Louisiana FBLA State Leadership Conference is held each year in Baton Rouge at the Radisson Hotel. At this conference state officers are elected, competitions are held to determine who gets the privilege that everyone wants; to go to Nationals, and we take classes where we learn skills that will remain with us the rest of our lives. There is also the State Fall Leadership Conference which is held this year in Ville Platte at Sacred Heart High School. For more information on both conferences click on the "Conferences" link at the left.
District Conferences
There are seven districts in Louisiana FBLA. Pickering High School is located in Vernon Parish, which is in the fourth district. Our district conference is held in Lake Charles at McNeese State University. At this conference district officers are elected and competitions are held to see who gets the honor of going to state. For more information click on the "Conferences" link at the left.
