Dear PA FBLA Advisers
Registration for the 2023 State Leadership Conference is now CLOSED! Here's what comes next.
We will be reviewing the registration data for accuracy and will come back to you with any questions we may have about your submissions.
SLC Online Change Form
We are now only accepting DROPS; no more students will be added from this point forward other than those that may need to be identified as the finalists in the chapter events. If you have drops to make, please use this online form so Janet and I have a paper trail: Online SLC Change Form.
Additional Orders Accepted for SLC Shirts and Hersheypark Tickets
We will continue to accept orders for additional SLC short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts/hoodies and Hersheypark tickets through March 15. Contact Bruce Boncal for additional shirt orders and Janet Skiles for additional Hersheypark ticket orders. Details will come in an email on Tuesday on how to place those orders.
Payments for shirts is strongly encouraged to be made prior to the state conference; however, payment may be brough to the SLC as a last resort. Remember, chapters not attending the SLC may also order shirts, and they will be shipped after the conference. Proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Payment for Hersheypark tickets must be made by April 1. Tickets may be purchased for SLC attendees, non-SLC attendees, and family members. Tickets are fully refundable if the unused ticket is returned to the PA FBLA Information Desk at the Hershey Lodge on Sunday, April 16, and the proper refund form is completed.
State-Only Chapter Events
There are four chapter events that still must be announced: (1) American Enterprise Project, (2) Community Service Project, (3) Local Chapter Annual Business Report, (4) Partnership with Business Project. The project deadline date for submission is February 15. 2023, by 11:59 pm. The top 15 maximum finalists will be announced to no later than March 1, 2023 (possible earlier).
If a chapter is a finalist, the adviser may identify 1-3 students to be the presenters at the state conference, and the presenters may come from students already registered to attend the conference OR advisers may add any additional students. HOWEVER, advisers will need to use the change form to identify the chapter events competitors and lodging arrangements, and the state office will get them registered and lodged. Deadline: March 2, 12:00 noon.
Internships
Special internship opportunities will be distributed in the next day or two. Stay tuned for opportunities for your students to apply for internships with Cybis Productions; with Hershey Lodge as Hospitality & Event Management interns; and with the PA FBLA management team. Application deadlines will be February 21 by 11:59 pm. Lodging arrangements for students selected with be March 02 at 12:00 noon. We will also be looking for a National Anthem singer from those registered to attend the conference.
Upcoming Deadlines:
February 15, 2023: Deadline for Future Business Leader and Job Interview resumes/cover letters to be uploaded as assets with Blue Panda for pre-judging.
March 01, 2023: Deadline for Business Ethics case summary upload as an asset via Blue Panda.
March 06-10, 2023: Production test administration dates.
March 15, 2023: Deadline for production tests must be uploaded as assets via Blue Panda,
Emergency Forms/Other Documents
There are forms that must be uploaded as assets via Blue Panda no later than March 24, 2023. The forms are:
Payment Postmark Deadline
February 24, 2023, is the postmark deadline for full registration and lodging payments. Payments have already been arriving each day so I expect the pace to pick up over the next two weeks.
Refund Policy
Key Dates:
February 04, 2023: SLC Registration/Lodging closes at 11:59 pm
February 24, 2023: Full SLC Registration/Lodging Payment “Received By” Deadline
April 01, 2023: 50% SLC Registration/Recalculated Lodging Refund Deadline at 11:59 pm
State Leadership Conference registration/lodging refunds are made under the following conditions:
1. Until February 4, 2023, at 11:59 pm, FBLA advisers are able to make any and all changes to their Blue Panda accounts. That will result in a full recalculation of the chapter’s account identifying any money to be refunded (if payment has already been made). DO NOT submit any online forms prior to this date; advisers need to make the changes directly in Blue Panda.
2. Starting February 5, 2023, all changes must be made using the online form shown below. The PA FBLA state office will then make any changes, which will recalculate the chapter’s financial record. Online form to identify changes starting February 5: https://pafbla.wufoo.com/forms/x1ez3taw1yx0s71/
3. Full registration refunds will be given for changes made prior to the full payment postmark deadline on February 24, 2023, by 11:59 pm.
4. Full lodging refunds will be given for changes made prior to the lodging deadline on February 24, 2023, by 11:59 pm. The refund will be based on a recalculation of the occupants in the room. For example, if a student in a quad room drops, the room costs will be recalculated based on the triple occupancy rate. The difference will be refunded.
5. A 50% registration refund will be given for all drops from February 25, 2023, through and including April 1, 2023, by 11:59 pm. No refunds will be given for drops starting April 2.
6. Lodging refunds will be given for all drops from February 25, 2023, through and including April 1, 2023, by 11:59 pm. No refunds will be given for drops starting April 2, 2023. The lodging refund will be based on a recalculation of the occupants in the room. For example, if a student in a quad room drops, the room costs will be recalculated based on the triple occupancy rate. The difference will be refunded.
7. No registration or lodging refunds will be given for cancellations made while checking in to the hotel on April 16 (if applicable), or April 17 or April 18, even if it results in a dropped room or reduced number of occupants.
8. Refunds will not be issued until after the close of the State Leadership Conference until the PA FBLA Conference Coordinator has reviewed, balanced, and settled all lodging with the hotels. Refunds will be issued on or about May 15, 2023, to the FBLA chapter, not individuals.
Pennsylvania FBLA has a contractual obligation to the Hershey Lodge, Hotel Hershey, and other overflow facilities to guarantee lodging numbers; therefore, no refunds will be made after April 1.
