2025-2026 Competitive Events Guidelines

Data Analysis
Data Analysis challenges members to examine and interpret a data set to uncover insights and
inform decision-making. Members present their findings to a panel of judges, demonstrating
analytical thinking, data visualization, and the ability to draw meaningful conclusions.

Event Overview

Division High School

Event Type Team of 1, 2, or 3 members
Event Category Presentation
Event Elements Presentation with a Topic

Educational Alignments

Career Cluster Framework Connection Digital Technology

NACE Competency Alignment Career & Self-Development,
Communication, Critical Thinking,
Leadership, Professionalism, Technology

2025-2026 Topic
In 2028, the Olympic Games will return to the United States for the first time since the 2004
Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. SportsFanatics, a fictitious sports consulting agency
based in San Antonio, is developing recommendations to plan the 2028 Olympic Games in Los
Angeles, California, specifically to support athletes, the city, and the National Olympic
Committees (the countries sending athletes). Using the provided data and your own research,
identify trends and make recommendations based on the data and external factors. Public
domain data accessed by Kaggle, an online data repository:

• Athlete Events - Dataset contains information on each athlete between 1896 and 2016.
Note that event offerings have changed over time. Also note that until 1992, the
Summer and Winter Olympic Games were held in the same year. Height data is
provided in centimeters and weight data is provided in kilograms.
• NOC Regions - Dataset includes supporting information defining the National Olympic
Committee country sponsoring the athlete.

Note: Some information provided may not necessarily be useful in your analysis; you do not
need to use all the information provided.

District/Region/Section
Check with your District/Region/Section leadership for District/Region/Section-specific
competition information and deadlines.

State
Check with your State Leader for state-specific competition information and deadlines.

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National

Required Competition Items

Items Competitor Must Provide Items FBLA Provides
Preliminary • Conference-provided nametag • Table
Presentation • Photo identification
• Attire that meets the FBLA Dress
Code
• Technology and presentation
items
Final • Conference-provided nametag • Table
Presentation • Photo identification • Power
• Attire that meets the FBLA Dress • Projector with HDMI
Code cord
• Technology and presentation • Projector screen
items, including any adapter or
cord needed beyond an HDMI
connection

Important FBLA Documents

• Competitors should be familiar with the Competitive Events Policy & Procedures
Manual, Honor Code, Code of Conduct, and Dress Code.

Eligibility Requirements
To participate in FBLA competitive events at the National Leadership Conference (NLC), the
following criteria must be met:
• Membership Deadline: FBLA national membership dues must be paid to the specific
division by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 1 of the current school year.
• Repeat Competitors: Members may only compete in an event at the NLC more than
once if they have not previously placed in the top 10 of that event at the NLC. If a
member places in the top 10 of an event at the NLC, they are no longer eligible to
compete in that event at future NLCs, unless the event has been modified beyond a
name change. Chapter events are exempt from this procedure.
• Conference Registration: Members must be officially registered for the NLC and must
pay the national conference registration fee to participate.
• Official Hotel Requirement: To be eligible to compete, competitors must stay within
the official FBLA housing block.
• State Entry Limits: Each state may submit up to four entries per event.
• Event Participation Limits: Each member may participate in:
o One individual or team event, and
o One chapter event (e.g., Community Service Project or Local Chapter Annual
Business Report).
• Competitor Responsibility: Only registered competitors are permitted to plan,
research, prepare, and set up their presentations. Advisers and others may not assist.
• Participation Requirement: To be eligible for an award, each competitor must
complete all components of the event at the National Leadership Conference.
• Team Composition: All members of a team must be from the same local chapter.

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• Identification at Check-in: Competitors must present valid photo identification
(physical or digital) that matches the name on their conference name badge.
Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, passport, state-issued ID, or school ID.
• Late Arrivals: Competitors will be allowed to compete until such time that the results
are finalized, or participation would impact the fairness and integrity of the event, as
determined by Competitive Events staff. If judges have left the competitive event area,
it is no longer possible to compete. Five penalty points will be assessed for late arrivals
in any competitive event.
• Event Schedule Notes:
o Some events may begin before the Opening Session.
o All schedules are posted in local time for the NLC host city.
o Schedule changes are not permitted.

Event Administration
This event consists of two phases: a preliminary presentation and a final presentation.

Preliminary Presentation Details

Timing Structure
• Equipment Set-Up: 3 minutes
• Presentation: 7 minutes (a one-minute warning will be provided)
• Question & Answer (Q&A): 3 minutes
• Important: Time allocations are exclusive. The presentation must begin
immediately after the 3-minute set-up time concludes. Time may not be shifted
between segments. Competitors will not interact with judges during the set-up
period.
Venue & Format
• Presentations occur in-person at the National Leadership Conference (NLC).
• Competitors/teams are randomly assigned to presentation sections.
• Presentations will take place in a large, open area with a designated space of
approximately 10' x 10', which includes a table and chairs for the judges.
• The preliminary round is closed to conference attendees and audience.
Technology Guidelines
• Internet Access: Not Provided
• Presentations must be delivered using one or two personal devices (laptop, tablet,
mobile phone, or monitor approximately laptop-sized).
• If using two devices, one must face the judges and the other must face the
presenters.
• Projectors and projector screens are not permitted, and competitors may not
bring their own.
• Wireless slide advancers (e.g., presentation clickers or mice) are allowed.
• External speakers are not allowed; audio must come directly from the presenting
device(s).
• Electricity will not be available.
Non-Technology Items
• Visual aids, samples, notes, and other physical materials related to the project may
be used.
• Items may be placed on the provided table or on the judges table, if space allows.
• No items may be left with the judges following the presentation.
Restricted Items
• Animals, except for authorized service animals.
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• Food, which may be used for display only and may not be consumed by judges.
• Links and QR codes, which may be shown but may not be scanned or clicked by
judges at any time.
Research
• Information must be supported by credible, well-documented sources.
• Any use of copyrighted material, images, logos, or trademarks must be properly
documented.
Team Expectations
• In team presentations, all members must actively participate in the delivery of the
presentation.
Event Specific Information: Competitors should incorporate the following aspects in
response to the topic
• Use of Industry Terminology: Apply accurate, field-specific terminology to explain
concepts, methods, and findings.
• Depth of Analysis & Global Context: Provide a thorough, industry-standard
analysis of the data and connect findings to broader implications, including global,
societal, or economic impact.
• Visualizations & Interpretation: Include at least three competitor-created visuals
to clearly illustrate trends.
• Recommendations & Feasibility: Present a realistic and well-supported
recommendation, identify necessary resources and justify the plan with data and
credible sources.

Final Presentation Details

Timing Structure
• Equipment Set-Up: 3 minutes
• Presentation: 7 minutes (a one-minute warning will be provided)
• Question & Answer (Q&A): 3 minutes
• Note: Each time segment is exclusive. Once the 3-minute set-up period ends, the
7-minute presentation time begins automatically. Competitors may not shift time
between segments. Competitors will not interact with judges during the set-up
period.
Advancement to Finals
• The top-scoring competitors or teams from each preliminary section will advance
to the final round in equal numbers.
• The number of competitors or teams advancing to the final round depends on the
number of preliminary sections:
• 2 sections: Top 6 from each section advance
• 3 sections: Top 4 from each section advance
• 4 sections: Top 3 from each section advance
• 5 sections: Top 3 from each section advance
• More than 5 sections: Top 2 from each section advance
Audience & Viewing Rules
• Final presentations may be open to conference attendees, depending on space
availability.
• Finalists may not view other presentations in their own event.
Technology Guidelines
• Internet Access: Not Provided

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• Presentations must be delivered using one or two personal devices (laptop, tablet,
mobile phone, or monitor approximately laptop-sized).
• If using two devices, one must face the judges and the other must face the
presenters.
• If the final round takes place in a conference room, the following equipment will be
provided: a projector, projector screen, power access, and a table.
• Competitors using laptops or devices without an HDMI port must bring their own
compatible adapters.
• It is the responsibility of final-round competitors to decide whether or not to use
the provided technology.
• Wireless slide advancers (e.g., presentation clickers or mice) are allowed.
• Electricity will not be available.
Non-Technology Items
• Visual aids, samples, notes, and other physical materials related to the project may
be used.
• Items may be placed on the provided table or on the judges table, if space allows.
• No items may be left with the judges following the presentation.
Restricted Items
• Animals, except for authorized service animals.
• Food, which may be used for display only and may not be consumed by judges.
• Links and QR codes, which may be shown but may not be scanned or clicked by
judges at any time.
Research
• Information must be supported by credible, well-documented sources.
• Any use of copyrighted material, images, logos, or trademarks must be properly
documented.
Team Expectations
• In team presentations, all members must actively participate in the delivery of the
presentation.
Event Specific Information: Competitors should incorporate the following aspects in
response to the topic
• Use of Industry Terminology: Apply accurate, field-specific terminology to explain
concepts, methods, and findings.
• Depth of Analysis & Global Context: Provide a thorough, industry-standard
analysis of the data and connect findings to broader implications, including global,
societal, or economic impact.
• Visualizations & Interpretation: Include at least three competitor-created visuals
to clearly illustrate trends.
• Recommendations & Feasibility: Present a realistic and well-supported
recommendation, identify necessary resources and justify the plan with data and
credible sources.

Scoring
• Preliminary round scores are used to determine which competitors or teams advance
to the final round from each section.
• Final round scores determine the final rankings and top award winners.
• Judges are responsible for breaking all ties in both preliminary and final rounds.
• All judging decisions are final. Results announced at the National Leadership
Conference are considered official and will not be changed after the conclusion of the
National Leadership Conference.

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Penalty Points
• Competitors may be disqualified if they violate the Code of Conduct or the Honor
Code.
• Five points are deducted if competitors do not follow the Dress Code or are late to
their assigned presentation time.

Recognition
• A maximum of 10 entries (individuals or teams) may be recognized per event.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• FBLA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable
accommodations for competitors. Accommodation requests must be submitted
through the conference registration system by the official registration deadline. All
requests will be reviewed, and additional documentation may be required to
determine eligibility and appropriate support.

Recording of Presentations
• Unauthorized audio or video recording is strictly prohibited in all competitive events.
• FBLA reserves the right to record presentations for educational, training, or archival
purposes. Competitors should be aware that their presentations may be recorded by
FBLA-authorized personnel.

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Data Analysis Presentation Rating Sheet
Points
Expectation Item Not Demonstrated Below Expectations Meets Expectations Exceeds Expectations
Earned
Demonstrates Demonstrates use of
Demonstrates No understanding of Understanding of topic
understanding of the industry terminology of
understanding of the event topic OR inconsistent with event
topic during the the topic during the
event topic during incorrect topic used guidelines
presentation presentation
presentation
0 points 1-6 points 7-8 points 9-10 points
Provides deep, industry-
No attempt made to Limited, surface-level Provides analysis of standard analysis of data
Provides analysis of data analyze the data analysis provided the data and addresses broader
global impact
0 points 1-8 points 9-12 points 13-15 points

At least three
One visualization Two visualizations competitor-created
No visualizations provided that provides provided that try to visualizations provided
Provides visualizations of provided a superficial overview explain the trends that explain the overall
data of data found in the data trends found in the data
in the context of the topic

0 points 1-8 points 9-12 points 13-15 points

Feasible
recommendation and
Recommendation Logical
Identifies No recommendation plan developed, and
provided, but plan not recommendation and
recommendation to identified necessary resources
developed plan developed
accomplish the purpose identified with supporting
evidence
0 points 1-6 points 7-8 points 9-10 points

Uses suitable and accurate More than three All statements are
One or two statements All statements are
statements related to the statements are accurate with supporting
are inaccurate accurate
topic’s information in inaccurate evidence
presentation
0 points 1-9 points 10-16 points 17-20 points

Professionally Compelling evidence

Sources/References legitimate sources & from professionally
Substantiates and cites
Sources are not cited are seldom cited to resources that support legitimate sources &
sources used while
support statements statements are resources is given to
conducting research
generally present support statements

0 points 1-6 points 7-8 points 9-10 points

Presentation Delivery

Presentation flowed in a
Competitor(s) were
Statements are well- Competitor(s) did not Presentation flowed in logical sequence;
prepared, but flow was
organized and clearly appear prepared logical sequence statements were well
not logical
stated organized

0 points 1-2 points 3-4 points 5 points

Demonstrated 1-2 of Demonstrated 3 of the

Consistently displays
the listed skills listed skills Demonstrated all skills,
confidence, poised body Did not demonstrate
(confidence, body (confidence, body enhancing the overall
language, engaging eye any of the listed skills
language, eye contact, language, eye contact, presentation
contact, and effective
or voice projection) or voice projection)
voice projection.
0 points 1-2 points 3-4 points 5 points
Responds accurately Responds confidently
Does not respond to Provides incomplete or
and clearly to most with clear, accurate, and
Demonstrates the ability questions or unclear answers that
questions, showing thoughtful answers that
to effectively answer responses are show limited
adequate enhance the overall
questions completely off-topic. understanding.
understanding. presentation.
0 points 1-6 points 7-8 points 9-10 points

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Presentation Protocols
Execution Aligned with Guidelines: (All criteria must be met)
 Used only allowable technology devices (sizing specs followed; maximum
of two, with only one facing judges at a time)
 Presentation aligned with the assigned topic
Competitor(s) Did  Maintained professional boundaries during set-up time (no interaction
Adherence to Competitive Not Follow with judges)
Events Guidelines Guidelines  Did not leave materials behind after the presentation
 Links or QR codes were displayed appropriately (not clicked or scanned by
judges)
 Audio was presented without external speakers (preliminary round)
 Avoided use of food or live animals
0 points 10 points
Staff Only: Penalty Points (5 points for dress code penalty and/or 5 points for late arrival penalty)
Presentation Total (110 points)
Name(s):
School: Section:
Judge Signature: Date:
Comments:

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