Spring 2015
CONFERENCES #NLC2015
Another conference season is already upon us and we are heading to Chicago for this year’s National Leadership Conference (NLC)! Chicago is a bustling, energetic city that never stops—no matter what season. It’s a destination with world-class cultural attractions, diverse neighborhoods, and architectural wonders. Chicago is known for world-famous museums, first‑class shopping, action‑packed sporting events, and a thriving theatre scene. Chicago features thousands of restaurants offering culinary favorites to suit every taste, budget, and mood and is home to spectacular attractions. The Professional Division (PD) is coming off a terrific year, with increased awareness, outreach, and improved and updated PD materials that have helped make this a great year! We are excited to bring back our résumé review for the PBL NLC and have updated our open competitive events for this year. The topics are: • Business Ethics NEW Find more information and • Current Events in Business registration at • Leadership fbla-pbl.org/2015NLC • Marketing NEW • Sports Management Your PD national officers will be onsite for the FBLA and PBL conferences and look forward to seeing you at the PD Reception and Awards Program!
JUDGES NEEDED FOR #NLC2015 IN CHICAGO The FBLA-PBL National Center needs your help! We need 800 business and technology professionals to serve as judges at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on June 25, 26, 30, and July 1 from 7:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. or 12:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m., each day. Consider recruiting administrators, business leaders in your community, and nonbusiness educators to judge at this year’s event. Note: FBLA-PBL members and advisers are not eligible to serve as judges. Presentation events include business and financial plans, interviews, management, programming, and technology. Lunch and parking will be provided for all judges. Judges can sign up online at fbla-pbl.org or call 800.325.2946 x129 for more information.
@ProfessionalDiv
ProfessionalDivision
FBLA-PBL National Professional Division
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT JAMES PICKERING James has always had a passion for business. He originally joined PBL while attending Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island and the University of Massachusetts. He believed in the mission and vision of the organization and wanted to help make a positive impact on his community through FBLA-PBL. He wanted to share his experiences with others and learn from mentors and advisers how to be a successful leader. After recently joining as a lifetime PD member, James says he is “happy to be a member of the Professional Division of FBLA.” He has been very fortunate to have many successful endeavors throughout his education and career and wants to share his successes and obstacles with others to help anyone interested become a successful business professional. He worked at Nestle Waters North America for seven years building his skills in customer service, sales, and interpersonal skills, but his true love has always been information technology. He worked for a nonprofit healthcare organization for five years helping build their marketing and information technology departments. James is embarking on a new job as a clinical information technology consultant for an international healthcare sciences company. He recently completed his Master’s degree in business management. James cannot stress enough how important and useful education is, and how valuable it is in life for both the knowledge gained and the personal experiences which helped him grow. James attributes much of his success to what he has learned from his involvement in student organizations, such as FBLA. “There is a wealth of information that I learned from my fellow peers, as well as business leaders, that want to help and inspire the next generation so that they can take over leadership [positions] when the time comes,” James says. He looks forward to continuing to be an integral part of the PD, especially in Massachusetts, where he assisted in judging and helping to administer competitive events at their recent SLC and plans to help the organization in any way he can for the rest of his career.
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SUBMIT YOUR SUCCESS STORY We want to highlight your achievements, because success is better shared!
The Professional Edge
2014–15 NATIONAL OFFICERS President David Jones pdpres@fbla.org Vice President Blake Reynolds pdvp@fbla.org Secretary/Treasurer Kelly Scholl pdst@fbla.org
MEMBER BENEFITS
Birds of a feather save together. As a member of FBLA-PBL you could save even more on your car insurance with a special discount. Join your fellow members who are already saving with GEICO.
geico.com/fbla-pbl | 1-800-368-2734
Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Discount amount varies in some states. Discount is not available in all states or in all GEICO companies. One group discount applicable per policy. Coverage is individual. In New York a premium reduction may be available. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2014 GEICO
Spring 2015