Over 500 Future Business Leaders Converge on Manatee County

BRADENTON –  More than 500 middle and high school students representing five counties will converge on the Bradenton campus of State College of Florida this Saturday, February 4, 2012, when SCF and the Manatee County School District host the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) District 18 Leadership Conference. The Conference begins with an Introduction Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. and is scheduled to end with an Awards Ceremony from 1 p.m. to approximately 2:15 p.m.

More than 20 middle and high schools from DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Manatee and Sarasota counties will compete and take part in Saturday’s conference.  Students at the FBLA Conference will compete in a wide variety of business-related contests including Impromptu Speaking, Entrepreneurship, Digital Video, Job Interview, Management Decision Making and more. Students who win competitions at the District level will advance to compete at the FBLA State Conference to be held in Orlando in April.

Students not competing will enjoy various workshops hosted by:  Amy Gallimore Director of Leadership, TRI Leadership Resources; Benjamin Durrance University of South Florida Business and Communications major and District 18 FBLA Alumni; Mauricio E. Garcia Student Development, Seminole State College; Dr. Lee Rangel, D.C., Founder and creator of  "Thorassic Park"; and Steve Shenbaum, Founder/Director of game on Nation, LLC

FBLA is a national organization of nearly a quarter million students, teachers and business professionals dedicated to helping business students become more successful in their future careers. Officers and members of SCF’s Phi Beta Lamda organization will help host Saturday’s event. Phi Beta Lambda is the college equivalent of FBLA.