FBLA CONCEPTS 2026 REVISION NOTES AND
STRUCTURED FBLA COMPETITION OVERVIEW
GUIDE
◉ Hamden L. Forkner of Teachers College, Columbia University in
New York City, proposes to business teachers across the country that
a national organization is needed for the thousands of business
clubs in the nation's high schools and colleges. Answer: 1937
◉ The National Council for Business Education (now known as the
National Business Education Association) sponsors the proposed
student organization. Committees are appointed to formulate the
organization's general plans. The name "Future Business Leaders of
America" is selected for the organization. Answer: 1940
◉ An experimental chapter is chartered in Johnson City, Tennessee,
on February 3. A second chapter is started two days later in St.
Albans, West Virginia. By the end of the year, 39 chapters are added;
and over the next three and one-half years, another 38 chapters
join.. Answer: 1942
◉ The United Business Education Association assumes sponsorship
of FBLA. Headquarters office for FBLA is established at the National
Education Association Center in Washington, D.C. - emblem => US +
trademark patent acto of 1946. Answer: 1946
,◉ Iowa becomes the first FBLA state chapter. Indiana and Ohio
quickly follow. Within the next three years, FBLA state chapters total
ten.. Answer: 1947
◉ The postsecondary division, Phi Beta Lambda is created. The
University of Northern Iowa is the first PBL chapter.. Answer: 1958
◉ FBLA-PBL is granted independent status as a nonprofit
educational student association under Internal Revenue Code 501
(c)(3). FBLA-PBL, Inc. acquires its own board of directors and full-
time staff.. Answer: 1969
◉ FBLA-PBL appoints Edward D. Miller as the association's first full-
time executive director.. Answer: 1973
◉ The board of directors approves establishment of the FBLA-PBL
Alumni Division.. Answer: 1979
◉ The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation purchases 1.6 acres of land in
the Center for Educational Associations, Reston, Virginia, as the site
for a future FBLA-PBL National Center.. Answer: 1981
◉ FBLA annual membership tops 200,000 for the 1st time.. Answer:
1987
, ◉ The Professional Division is formed to include alumni and
professional business persons.. Answer: 1989
◉ The groundbreaking ceremony is held for the FBLA-PBL National
Center.. Answer: 1990
◉ The grand opening of the FBLA-PBL National Center is held..
Answer: 1991
◉ The FBLA-Middle Level division is formed for students in grades
5-9.. Answer: 1994
◉ Edward D. Miller retires as president and chief executive office of
the national association. Jean Buckley is appointed president and
chief executive officer.. Answer: 1997
◉ National center mortgage is retired.. Answer: 2001
◉ When (year) was the first state chapter chartered?. Answer: 1947
◉ In the officer installation ceremony, what color candle represents
the chapter in its
entirety?. Answer: white
STRUCTURED FBLA COMPETITION OVERVIEW
GUIDE
◉ Hamden L. Forkner of Teachers College, Columbia University in
New York City, proposes to business teachers across the country that
a national organization is needed for the thousands of business
clubs in the nation's high schools and colleges. Answer: 1937
◉ The National Council for Business Education (now known as the
National Business Education Association) sponsors the proposed
student organization. Committees are appointed to formulate the
organization's general plans. The name "Future Business Leaders of
America" is selected for the organization. Answer: 1940
◉ An experimental chapter is chartered in Johnson City, Tennessee,
on February 3. A second chapter is started two days later in St.
Albans, West Virginia. By the end of the year, 39 chapters are added;
and over the next three and one-half years, another 38 chapters
join.. Answer: 1942
◉ The United Business Education Association assumes sponsorship
of FBLA. Headquarters office for FBLA is established at the National
Education Association Center in Washington, D.C. - emblem => US +
trademark patent acto of 1946. Answer: 1946
,◉ Iowa becomes the first FBLA state chapter. Indiana and Ohio
quickly follow. Within the next three years, FBLA state chapters total
ten.. Answer: 1947
◉ The postsecondary division, Phi Beta Lambda is created. The
University of Northern Iowa is the first PBL chapter.. Answer: 1958
◉ FBLA-PBL is granted independent status as a nonprofit
educational student association under Internal Revenue Code 501
(c)(3). FBLA-PBL, Inc. acquires its own board of directors and full-
time staff.. Answer: 1969
◉ FBLA-PBL appoints Edward D. Miller as the association's first full-
time executive director.. Answer: 1973
◉ The board of directors approves establishment of the FBLA-PBL
Alumni Division.. Answer: 1979
◉ The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation purchases 1.6 acres of land in
the Center for Educational Associations, Reston, Virginia, as the site
for a future FBLA-PBL National Center.. Answer: 1981
◉ FBLA annual membership tops 200,000 for the 1st time.. Answer:
1987
, ◉ The Professional Division is formed to include alumni and
professional business persons.. Answer: 1989
◉ The groundbreaking ceremony is held for the FBLA-PBL National
Center.. Answer: 1990
◉ The grand opening of the FBLA-PBL National Center is held..
Answer: 1991
◉ The FBLA-Middle Level division is formed for students in grades
5-9.. Answer: 1994
◉ Edward D. Miller retires as president and chief executive office of
the national association. Jean Buckley is appointed president and
chief executive officer.. Answer: 1997
◉ National center mortgage is retired.. Answer: 2001
◉ When (year) was the first state chapter chartered?. Answer: 1947
◉ In the officer installation ceremony, what color candle represents
the chapter in its
entirety?. Answer: white
