Advisor Contact Hours Certificate

If you would like a certificate for two Contact Hours, CEAC would be four, for your APG Assignment please email Tina Krosse @ tina.krosse@education.ohio.gov 

February 23-24, 2026

Involvement in Business Professionals of America will enhance social awareness, civic responsibility, and understanding of the business community.

The Business Professionals of America, Ohio Association, State Leadership Conference brings together competitors, business and industry partners, advisors, and vendors to provide an opportunity for Ohio career-technical education students to showcase their development of leadership skills and career-related competencies. The State Leadership Conference (SLC) is the highlight of the Ohio Association year and helps more than 2,300 members accomplish these objectives. The Workplace Skills Assessment Program (WSAP) events, state officer elections, and Torch Award Ceremony are highlights of the conference.

The event will take place at Hyatt Regency Columbus.

Sunday, February 22 @ 6:00-7:30 pm

• State Officer Candidates | Campaign Managers
  • 6:00pm-7:00pm: State Officer Candidate Panel Interviews
    • Three - 15min rotations
  • 6:00pm-7:00pm: Campaign Managers to setup Campaign Rally tables

*Business Casual Attire

Monday, February 23, 2026

• Middle Level | Post-Secondary Level
  • 10:00 am-1:00pm Middle/Post Secondary Competitions
  • 4:00-5:00 pm ML/PS Awards Ceremony

*Professional Attire: Judged Events  |  Business Casual Attire: Computer Lab Only events

• Secondary Level
  • 10:00am-5:00pm: Secondary Competitions
    • Option to begin at 9am for some contests
  • 2:00pm-3:00pm: State Officer Candidate Speeches & Delegate Voting
    • Please plan for your students to attend, if they are not in a competition.
    • Each Chapter can select up to 5 Voting Delegates to represent their chapter during the voting process. 
      • Delegates can poll their chapter BEFORE casting their ballot. 
  • 8:00pm-9:00pm: Torch Awards Ceremony
  • 9:30pm-10:30pm: Special Evening Event --> ThinkFast, an interactive game show
    • Wear your SLC T-Shirts!  

*Professional Attire: Judged Events, Speeches/Voting
*Business Casual Attire:  Computer Lab Only Events
*Casual Attire: SLC T-shirts at Torch Awards, ThinkFast

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 @ 9:45 am-12:00 pm

• Secondary Level Awards Ceremony

*Professional Attire

Registration due date: January 30 -- payment must be received by February 15, to avoid late fees.

Registration Fee: $80
Late Fee: $25
Hotel Room Costs: $220.00 per room (2 Q Beds/1 King)
FYI: Using non-conference hotel properties results in a $10 per member fee.

• Hyatt Regency, Hilton Columbus Downtown, Sonesta Columbus Downtown

2026 BPA SLC Advisor Guide: to be uploaded by November 2025

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2026 Judged Event Changes

• All Judged Events will be housed in Regency Ballroom and Union A/B Ballroom
• Pipe and Drape will be used to separate the competitors.
  • One Table for Individual Events; Two Tables for Team Events
• Main Foyer will be used as the Holding Area.
  • The chairs will be for those In-the-Hole and others may use outside perimeter to practice.
• Proctors will call in competitors from Holding Area to the On-Deck/Prep Area - inside the ballrooms.
• From On-Deck/Prep Area, Proctors will guide competitors to their contest table and ALL competitors in that row will compete during the same timeframe.
  • 3-min setup
  • 5-10min presentation
  • 5min Q&A
  • 3min entry/exit
• No projectors will be used.
  • All competitors will present using their Laptop/Computer; Optional use of external Monitor
  • Competitors will be in close proximity to judges, so you can use the table to set your devices on.
• Power Strips will be provided at all tables.
• Sound may be played for the judges at a volume they can hear.