Colorado FBLA partnered with Colorado DECA to host a dynamic Fall Leadership Conference at the end of September, welcoming more than 500 student attendees from across the state. Held on September 30 in Fountain, Colorado, the conference provided members and advisers with a full day of leadership development, collaboration, and service. State officers from both Career and Technical Student Organizations planned and led engaging breakout workshops designed to support chapter success throughout the membership year.
Throughout the day, attendees strengthened their leadership skills, participated in meaningful community service, and connected with fellow CTSO members from schools across Colorado. State officers led interactive sessions on a variety of relevant topics, including how to run an effective chapter social media account while maintaining a professional and engaging online presence. Students also explored ideas for recruiting and retaining members to build stronger local chapters.
Additional workshops focused on understanding social capital and how to leverage community connections to grow professional networks and enhance business skills. Members also examined different leadership styles and how they can complement each other when planning successful chapter events.
In addition to student programming, advisers were invited to attend an adviser only professional development session. During this session, they learned more about the AP Business pilot program and gained new skills on incorporating Adobe Express into their classrooms to enhance instruction and student engagement. Conference organizers also dedicated time to discussing changes to competitive events and highlighting exciting opportunities for members to broaden their competitive experiences this year.
A highlight of the conference was the keynote presentation by Delovell Earls, a former Division I basketball player, Air Force officer, and now entrepreneur and author. Earls shared his powerful personal story and spent time encouraging students to remain persistent despite perceived failures. His message of resilience and determination resonated strongly with attendees and reinforced the importance of perseverance in both personal and professional pursuits.
Service was also a key component of the conference experience. Members participated in a service project focused on writing thank you cards to the volunteer judges who support district conferences. In post event evaluations, many attendees specifically noted how meaningful they found this project, along with the opportunity to meet other members and advisers they would not typically have the chance to connect with.
The Colorado FBLA and DECA Fall Leadership Conference was a powerful example of collaboration, leadership development, and community impact. FBLA state officers especially enjoyed the opportunity to interact with members from all over the state and support their growth as emerging leaders. The success of this event set a strong tone for the remainder of the membership year.
