General Sessions

Opening Session

When: Wednesday, April 25, 8:30 pm-10:00 pm
Location: Riverside Center, Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Description: Join all conference attendees for the kick-off to the National Leadership Conference. One of the conference’s biggest highlights each year, the Opening General Session sets the tone for the week with National Officer introductions, honorary awards, the Torch Ceremony, critical conference information, and a dynamic keynote presentation.

Secondary Campaign Rally

When: Thursday, April 26, 5:00 pm-6:00 pm
Location: Crystal Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Chicago
Description: See what potential National Officers have to offer as candidates showcase themselves at the Campaign Rally

Secondary Second General Session

When: Thursday, April 26, 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Location: Riverside Center, Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Description: An important session for all Secondary students to attend, the Second General Session directly follows the Secondary Campaign Rally and includes National Officer Candidate speeches, some BPA Cares Awards, Scholarship awards, and more.

Post-secondary Campaign Rally

When: Thursday, April 26, 7:45 pm-8:45 pm
Location: Riverside Center, Hyatt Regency Chicago
Description: See what potential National Officers have to offer as candidates showcase themselves at the Campaign Rally

Post-secondary Second General Session

When: Thursday, April 26, 9:00 pm-10:00 pm
Location: Riverside Center, Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Description: An important session for all Post-secondary students to attend, the Second General Session directly follows the Post-secondary Campaign Rally and includes National Officer Candidate speeches, some BPA Cares Awards, Scholarship awards, and more.

Awards Session: Post-secondary

When: Saturday, April 28, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Location: Riverside Center, Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Description: Impossible to describe, the Awards Session must be experienced to understand the atmosphere of excitement and high energy. Awards are given for all competitve events, and 2012-2013 National Officers are revealed. This session is the payoff for all you worked for during the year!

Awards Session: Secondary/Middle Level

When: Saturday, April 28, 8:30 pm-11:30 pm
Location: Riverside Center, Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Description: Impossible to describe, the Awards Session must be experienced to understand the atmosphere of excitement and high energy. Awards are given for all competitve events, and 2012-2013 National Officers are revealed. This session is the payoff for all you worked for during the year!

Success Sessions

AICPA Advisor Welcome Reception

Host: AICPA
When: Wednesday, April 25 ,7:00 pm-8:00 pm
Cost: $0
Description: Join us for food and drink as we kick off the 2012 National Leadership Conference and honor our local advisors and Advisor Award Recipients. Sponsored by AICPA.

Business Etiquette Luncheon

Presenter: Roger Fulk, BPA Local Chapter Advisor, Certified Etiquette Demonstrator
When: Thursday, April 26, 11:30 am-1:00 pm
Cost: $50
Description: Join us for a business etiquette luncheon hosted by etiquette instructors. Sometimes lunch isn’t just lunch, it’s the way to a new job or business promotion. Lunch is included.

Want to Give Your Students the Recognition They Deserve?

Presenter: Maurice S. Henderson
When: Thursday, April 26, 9:00 am-10:00 am
Description: Are you looking for a way to provide honor and national recognition to outstanding students in your business education program? This session will provide information to help you be a part of the official National Business Honor Society sponsored by NBEA. Learn how to promote and recognize your dynamic students’ academic achievement in business education at the secondary level by starting a local chapter of the honor society. It’s so easy…you’ll be glad you did!

Become a Certiport Testing Center

Presenter: David Hansen, Certiport
When: Thursday, April 26, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Sponsored By: Certiport
Description: Sponsored by Certiport

Poker Face

Presenter: Secondary National Officer Team
When: Friday, April 27, 9:00 am-10:30 am
Description: Poker Face is an interactive, hands-on session, presented by the Secondary Officer Team, that will offer participants the opportunity to learn new skills and hone existing ones. Attendees will participate in fun energizers and icebreakers and will learn more about each of their individual personality traits and how to optimize their communication when working with a team. Poker Face is intended to be a fun, self-revealing experience for everyone.

Learn Business By Being in Business

Presenter:  davesbillboard.com
When: Friday, April 27, 10:00 am-11:00 am
Sponsored By: davesbillboard.com
Description: Sponsored by davesbillboard.com.

Fast Forward to Success!

Presenter: Post-secondary National Officer Team
When: Friday, April 27, 10:30 am-12:00 pm
Description: Join the National Officer Team in earning Torch Award points FAST. The Post-secondary team will be offering a fast-paced, interactive workshop that will help you build your resume, learn about BPA, and meet new people. You could earn up to 70 points and get a jumpstart on next year’s goal for Torch Awards. Working side by side with the national officers, we will work together to Reach New Heights!

Funding Your CTE Program

Presenter:  David Hansen, Certiport
When: Friday, April 27, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Sponsored By: Certiport
Description: Sponsored by Certiport.

Empowering Diversity: Women in the Workplace

Presenter: Roundtable Discussion, facilitated by Accenture
When: Friday, April 27, 1:00 pm-2:00 pm
Sponsored By: Accenture
Description: Women in industry Roundtable. Sponsored by Accenture,

Why Certify?

Presenter: David Hansen, Certiport
When: Friday, April 27, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Sponsored By: Certiport
Description: Sponsored by Certiport.