Future Business Leaders of America

FBLA, Future Business Leaders of America, is a student organization that helps students build skills in leadership, communication, teamwork, career readiness, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, and business. Through FBLA, students have opportunities to explore career interests, participate in community service, attend leadership conferences, and compete in events that connect classroom learning to real-world experiences.

In Iowa, FBLA is part of a strong statewide network of middle school, high school, and collegiate chapters. Iowa FBLA serves more than 190 chapters across the state, helping students prepare for future careers while developing professional skills and confidence. Members may participate in district, state, and national events, including competitive events, workshops, leadership sessions, officer elections, and award programs.

At MFL MarMac, FBLA gives students the chance to grow as leaders while learning more about business, careers, and service. Whether students are interested in competing, organizing projects, building their resumes, or simply becoming more confident leaders, FBLA provides meaningful opportunities to prepare for life beyond high school.

2026 - Emme & Tyce Wikner, Broadcast Journalism - Attended Nationals in Texas

2025 - Jarrett Hanson - attended Nationals in California

Iowa FBLA offers a wide variety of competitive events that allow students to explore business-related careers, practice professional skills, and apply what they learn in the classroom. Events are available in several different formats, giving students opportunities to compete individually, with a partner, as a team, or as a chapter.

Objective Test Events
These events are knowledge-based competitions where students complete a test over a specific business topic. Examples may include accounting, business law, economics, personal finance, marketing concepts, cybersecurity, or FBLA knowledge. These events are a good fit for students who enjoy studying a subject and showing what they know.

Presentation Events
In presentation events, students prepare a project, plan, design, speech, or business idea and present it to judges. These events help students build confidence in public speaking, organization, creativity, and professionalism. Examples include business plan, graphic design, digital video production, public service announcement, social media strategies, website design, and sales presentation.

Role Play Events
Role play events challenge students to think on their feet. Students are given a business-related scenario, have a short time to prepare, and then present their solution to judges. These events are great for students who enjoy problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and real-world business situations. Examples include banking and financial systems, entrepreneurship, hospitality and event management, marketing, network design, and customer service.

Production Events
Production events focus on completing a task using business or technology skills. Students may be asked to create, format, organize, or produce materials in a timed setting. These events are a strong fit for students who are detail-oriented and enjoy computer applications, office skills, and accuracy.

Speech and Interview Events
These events focus on professional communication. Students may give a prepared speech, respond to a prompt, or participate in an interview-style event. Examples include public speaking, impromptu speaking, introduction to public speaking, job interview, and future business leader. These events help students develop confidence, poise, and career-ready communication skills.

Chapter Events
Chapter events recognize the work of the entire FBLA chapter. Students may document service projects, chapter activities, or local business involvement and present their work through a report, presentation, or exhibit. These events highlight leadership, teamwork, service, and the impact FBLA members can make in their school and community.

Iowa FBLA events also connect to different career areas, helping students find competitions that match their interests.

• Finance events focus on money management, accounting, investments, banking, insurance, economics, and financial planning.
• Marketing events focus on advertising, sales, retail, social media, merchandising, sports and entertainment marketing, and promotion.
• Management events focus on business operations, entrepreneurship, project management, human resources, business communication, healthcare administration, international business, and leadership.
• Communication events focus on journalism, broadcast journalism, public service announcements, digital video, graphic design, visual design, and professional messaging.
• Information Technology events focus on coding, programming, cybersecurity, data science, website development, mobile applications, networking, technology support, and digital design.
• Hospitality events focus on event planning, hospitality management, customer experiences, and service-based industries.
• Government and Public Administration events focus on organizational leadership, public administration, management, and decision-making in public service settings.
• 21st Century Skills events focus on leadership, interviews, public speaking, parliamentary procedure, and other skills students can use in school, careers, and community life.
• FBLA Knowledge events focus specifically on the organization itself, including FBLA history, programs, structure, leadership, and opportunities for members.