National Officer Blog

Chicago, Here We Come!

by Lyndsay Robinson, National Post Secondary President

Hello BPA’ers! 

Nationals are officially here!!!!  It is time to start packing and getting all the last minute things together.  Do not forget your business clothes, your style and reference book, and most importantly a toothbrush! 

I cannot wait to see you all.  Make sure you say hello to your National Officers.  We have worked so hard to put on a great NLC but we did this all for you!!!  We hope you enjoy Chicago! 

Make sure you bring some spare change with you to Chicago to help Sears Tower to the top.  We will give all donations to the Special Olympics!!!

I have been waiting for this week all year.  It is hard to believe that it is already here.  It is time to put away the school work and grab my uniform to head to the Windy City.

Just keep in mind, regardless if you win or lose, you are a winner because you made it to the 46^th Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference!

It is time to REACH NEW HEIGHTS!

See you soon!

Start the Countdown

by Gabija Stonyte, National Secondary Parliamentarian

Hey BPA!

The countdown has begun, it is a week until Nationals! Are you ready for the thrill that the great city of Chicago has to offer?

Some things to look forward to are the amazing sights in the Windy City. Make sure to take a stroll down Michigan Avenue, known as the “Magnificent Mile,” where shoppers can spend hours finding deals. As Chicago is known for Michigan Lake, visit Navy Pier, where you can take a ride on the Ferris Wheel, in fact the first Ferris Wheel ever built! Rent some bikes and ride down Lake Shore Drive, visit the Lincoln Park Zoo (for free), go to a Cubs or Sox game, the possibilities are endless!

The entire National Officer Team is ecstatic to have members experience the wonders of Chicago, but make sure to pack well! As a resident of Chicago, I will the first to tell you that the Chicago weather is unpredictable. Pack for a hot summer day and a cold fall evening because you never know what to expect.

Lastly, put finishing touches on your competitive events and get ready to have an amazing week full of meeting people all over the country, competing in your event, and exploring a new city!

Next stop, Chicago! See you there BPA!

Tours at NLC

by Natalie Berry, National Secondary Secretary

Every year, BPA helps attendees of the National Leadership Conference experience the city by providing "tour" options: events that are added to NLC registration that represent a range of activities in the NLC city. This year the city is Chicago! Tours are a great way to explore the Chicago while at the conference.

This year, the tours are GREAT! First, lets start with Adler Planetarium. The Adler Planetarium has an amazing sky shows and space exhibitions. Your $40 ticket includes admission into Adler's featured sky show Deep Space Adventure.  

For $72 a person you can experience, Comedy. Music. Multimedia, and Theatrics. Combine all three, add a spot of blue, and you've got the makings of a totally unique form of entertainment. More than 17 million people around the world have experienced the playful party atmosphere of a Blue Man Group live event. Come catch the Blue Wave on Thursday April 26^th.

Maybe you’d like to take a casual cruise instead. Join us on an architectural adventure through Chicago's finest river! Price includes snack & drink on board. In case of inclement weather, tickets must be rescheduled and are non-refundable!

Which BPA’ers are baseball fans?! Take me out to the ballgame and Join us as the Chicago Cubs take on the St. Louis Cardinals in an exciting night game at the famous Wrigley Field. Tickets are $40 and available on two different dates. Transportation is included.

You can also ride the Double Decker: Explore Chicago from new heights aboard our Double Decker bus! You will see some of Chicago's finest landmarks along the way. Stops include: Millennium Park, North Avenue Beach and Buckingham Fountain. Tickets are affordable at $25 per person with transportation included.

Another option is visiting the Field Museum: Ticket includes admission into the featured exhibit Genghis Khan. Transportation is included in your $38 ticket.

Another cool museum is the Science Museum: Spark your imagination and indulge your curiosity in the Museum of Science and Industry's engaging exhibits. You'll be exposed to bold science and interactive learning experiences in an eye-opening, awe-inspiring environment. $40 ticket includes admission into Tornado Alley and transportation.

I can’t wait to see you all in Chicago! I hope you find time to enjoy the tours in between your events! Don’t forget to Reach New Heights in Chicago!

Exciting NLC Events!

by Tommy Craven, National Secondary Treasurer

The 2012 BPA National Leadership Conference in Chicago is only a few weeks away, and I am more than excited to give all you BPA members out there an amazing experience when you Reach New Heights in the Windy City. Here are a few things you can expect at this year’s NLC.

 A party on the pier, Navy pier that is. Grab your dancing shoes, your carnival game skills, and your sweet tooth for this year’s special event on Navy Pier. A DJ, interactive gaming systems, blow-up courses, carnival food, and hourly giveaways including iPads and video cameras, are going to take center stage at this event. While you are at the Party on the Pier,  you’ll be able to take advantage of all the Navy Pier attractions as well including the famous Ferris Wheel. So bring your party hats and strap in because BPA is going to rock Navy Pier.

Want to get to the party a little early? Join BPA and the Special Olympics on Saturday morning as we walk a mile through Chicago from the Hyatt Regency hotel to Navy Pier for BPA's Walk for Special Olympics.  Those who participate will not only be supporting an amazing cause, but you’ll get early access to the Party on the Pier including an exclusive chance to win an iPad.

A successful National Officer Team can ensure that next year’s NLC in Orlando, Florida will be just as amazing as the NLC in Chicago. In order to do that, you have to help elect dedicated BPA members to the team. Join the campaign rally on Thursday night to meet the candidates and support your picks for the 2012-2013 National Officer Team. Your choice will affect BPA for the next year so take it seriously and have some fun in getting to know the candidates.

Of course, there will be so much more happening when BPA takes over Chicago in a few weeks so to learn more about the conference, visit the BPA NLC page and “like” the Business Professionals of America Facebook page to get NLC updates. 

See you in Chicago!

Reaching New Heights at NLC!

by Jay Mulakala, National Secondary President

Business Professionals of America, we are less than 2 weeks away from the 2012 46^th Annual National Leadership Conference. This is the time to get your gear together and get ready to REACH NEW HEIGHTS! 

The National Officer Team has been working hard year-round, 24/7, to ensure a successful conference. Be sure to stop by the Secondary and Post-Secondary Officer Workshops during the conference. Join us for the 1^st ever “Walk for Special Olympics” the morning of the Saturday of the conference which will seg-way into the Special Event, Party at the Pier. Prizes will be awarded to members who are actively involved throughout the conference, so check out the conference workshops, attend the general sessions, and win BIG! 

Members, this is your time, your destination, your moment to shine! Will you find a future career? Will you take home an award? Will you meet amazing new people? Will you explore Chicago? Let’s REACH NEW HEIGHTS at the 2012 NLC in my home town, CHICAGO!

Getting Ready for NLC

by Deb Schwager, National Post-Secondary Vice President

Getting ready for NLC:

Check List:

1. Download all pre-registration documents. 

2. Put all competition documents, letters ect together 

3. Get all information and schedule down for competitions       

4. Make itinerary for the week

5. Get travel documents together & put in carry-on          

6. Plan clothes for the week..(this one easy for us officers)    

7. Week before set out suitcase, roll clothes together for the day      

8. Make sure have camera, comfortable shoes!!!

This is my check list getting ready for NLC along with supplies for our workshop. Make sure that you make yourself a list NOW it takes the stress off of what you need to take and get done that way you don’t forget anything important. When you start the list just jot down everything that you’ll need, even the small stuff(as that’s what you usually forget, ex: toothbrush). Pack early if you don’t need it for the week get it out so that you have everything that goes with it. Guys don’t forget to bring black socks, white doesn’t look professional with your black pants. Remember that the more you do ahead will make the week and getting ready so less stressful and who needs to be stressed at Nationals?  The most important thing is to enjoy, have fun, and meet new people, learn something new, and REACH NEW HEIGHTS in BPA. Get ready the countdown starts today we have 3 weeks. See you in Chicago! Have a safe trip.

Reminders When Packing for NLC

by Sydney Melton, National Secondary Historian

What have you done to get ready for Chicago?

Here are just a few tips and a short checklist of what you’re going to need for the Windy City! 

• If you are competing, remember to bring your equipment which may consist of your projectors, portfolios, carts, laptop computers, pencils, pens, and even poster boards for projects.  
• If you’re flying, look up the TSA guidelines to make sure everything you’re bringing follows regulations.
• If you’re walking on the Walk for Special Olympics, make sure you bring your tennis shoes and comfortable walking gear.
• Make sure you have your best suit, boys. This includes a tie and some nice dress shoes. Ladies,  this includes closed toed pumps for your events.

Go through all the things you utilize in your competitive events and check it all, not once, but twice! We’d hate for you to get all the way to Nationals and not perform to the best of your ability! However, the most important thing to bring with you is a smile! Good luck to all of you at NLC, and I will see you all in just two short weeks!

Countdown to NLC!

So…the final countdown begins!  There are only 19 more days left until all of us get to gather together in Chicago for the unforgettable National Leadership Conference.  Are YOU ready? 

This year’s NLC is one that will be full of fun and exciting events; something that you will not want to miss out on.  Not only are the main sessions, workshops, competitions, and special events going to be full of new and thrilling activities, but the city of Chicago is full of wonderful entertainment and sightseeing.  We are offering amazing tours while at the conference, some of which include a Chicago Cubs game, a tour of the Shedd Aquarium., a Blue Man Group performance, and much more! 

This year we are excited to host the first ever “Party on the Pier” special event, which will take place on Saturday, April 28^th.  Over 1200 prizes will be given away that day, some of those including iPads, iPods, and Xbox Kinects.  “Party on the Pier” will also consist of fantastic entertainment; food and drink, a DJ, green screen music videos, playmotion big screen, and a lot more. 

Don’t forget the first ever BPA Walk for Special Olympics.  This also will take place on Saturday and will consist of a 1 mile walk, lasting about 1 hour.  We will walk from the Hyatt Regency to Navy Pier and begin our Special Event.  All of the proceeds from the walk will be presented to the Special Olympics. 

The 2012 National Leadership Conference will be a once in a lifetime experience!  I am so excited for this year’s NLC, and I hope each of you feel the same way.  Work hard in your competitions, so that you can have the chance of being honored to walk across the stage as a BPA National Champion.  I wish all of you the best of luck, and I can’t wait to see you shortly in Chicago as we “Reach New Heights” together!  

Chicago Highlights

by Deb Schwager, National Post-Secondary Vice President

Get ready to enjoy the “Windy City”.  There are many great places to visit on you free time. There is many within walking distance of the hotels that all will be staying at when you’re in Chicago. Just a short walk from the Hyatt, you’d probably learn just as much about the character of the city by spending a long, lazy afternoon soaking in the city’s centerpiece, Millennium Park. 

Wrigley Field is a boisterous Chicago experience that’s completely off the Hook if the Cubs are at home. Built in 1914 and named for the chewing-gum magnate , Wrigley Field is the second-oldest park in the major leagues. For all the shoppers out there the Magnificent Mile you’ll discover that you’ve only seen the  tip of  The wealth of shopping opportunities in Chicago.  The stretch of pavement on Michigan Ave in the Near North is stuffed silly with towering malls and high-end chains, such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Burberry. The Sears tower was constructed in 1974, it was the world's tallest building, eclipsing New York's twin-towered World Trade Center by 25 meters. On July 16, 2009, it was sold and  it was renamed Willis Tower for one of the skyscraper's tenants, a British insurance firm.  

Don’t forget the Navy Pier is a large pier on Lake Michigan near Streeterville, close to Chicago's downtown. Navy Pier is home to many attractions The most eye-catching is the 148 ft (45m) high Ferris Wheel. Near the Ferris Wheel is a 44ft high musical carousel with 36 hand-painted animals. The skyline stage, a 100ft (30m) high vaulted roof structure, is used as an ice skating rink during wintertime and as a 1500-seat theater during summer. This is where we will be having our special event so be sure to sign up for the walk to Navy Pier and take in all the attractions while there. See you in April in the “Windy City”.

What I'm Up To As A National Officer

by Lyndsay Robinson, National Post Secondary President

Hi BPA’ers!

I hope all is well.  I am so incredibly busy preparing for NLC.  I am sure you are all busy preparing for contests and the conference itself.  We had a successful month with BPA’s Number 1 Fan.  Duarte Desa from Massachusetts was named the winner!  There is a lot of last minute preparation finalizing all of our goals and creating the best NLC yet!  I attended Massachusetts State Leadership Conference at the beginning of the month and now I am preparing to go to the National Business Educators of America conference in Boston where I will bring greetings on behalf of this wonderful organization to business teachers across the country! 

Make sure you contact a National Officer if you have any questions as things begin to come to an end!  NLC is approaching fast before our eyes!  I look forward to seeing you all in Chicago where we will REACH NEW HEIGHTS together!