FBLA Career Connections Conference
Collegiate | Des Moines, Iowa
The FBLA Collegiate Career Connections Conference is a fast paced, high-impact program focused on connecting talented individuals with leading employers. This is not just a meet and greet conference, it’s about getting what it takes to succeed in a challenging job market—interviewing techniques, building your personal brand, and navigating your early career.

Dates
Oct 24-26, 2024
Venue
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines Marriott Downtown
700 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309
Conference Registration
Registration Fee:
Full Conference Registration Fee: $115
Friday Day Pass: $70
Features and Benefits
Benefits
- Refine your personal brand with resume reviews and mock interviews
- Hear from young professionals regarding what to expect as you search for a job and after you land a job
- Network with both members of the business community and like-minded students from around the country
- Leave with a professional headshot that can be used on your LinkedIn or resume
- Prep for the real world by competing in case study competitions
- Tour a business to gain new perspectives of the variety of jobs available
What's Included
-
14 hours of professional development programming
-
Lunch on Friday
-
Networking Reception on Friday
- Professional Headshot
Planning Your Career Connections Trip
Registration (Des Moines)
- Registration Highlights
- Pre-Checklist & Instructions
- Payment Instructions
- Accident Insurance (Optional)
- Cancelation Policy
- Legacy Lifetime Professional Division Registration
Important Dates
Registration Opens: September 5, 2024
Registration Closes: October 8, 2024
Payment Receipt Deadline: October 20, 2024
Registration Link
Click here to register.
Registration Fees
Full Conference Registration Fee: $115
Friday Day Pass – $70
*Registration fees applies to students, advisers, and chaperones.
Note for High School Students
High School Seniors are invited to attend the conference through the Friday Day Pass. High School members must be accompanied by a chaperone as outlined in FBLA’s Chaperone Policy.
What is included in the registration fee?
- 14 hours of professional development programming
- Lunch on Friday
- Networking Reception on Friday
- Professional Headshot
- Career Showcase
- Network & Unwind Social on Thursday
Pre-Checklist
In order to successfully register for the conference, you will need the following information for each attendee that you are planning to register:
- Full Name
- Preferred Pronouns
- Email Address
- Cell Phone Number
- Special Accommodation & Dietary Requests
- Accident Insurance Opt-In
- Case Competition Opt-In
- Resume
- Registration
- Instructions
Registration will take place in FBLA Connect. Registration will open on September 5th.
Please be sure to review the policies on this page before submitting your registration.
Payment Options: Credit card, check, or purchase order.
Payment Deadline: October 20, 2024
*If a purchase order is used, payment for that PO must be received prior to the conference start date.
Payment by Check:
All checks should be made payable to FBLA and mailed to the address below:
Future Business Leaders of America, Inc.
PO Box 79063
Baltimore, MD 21279
Confirmation E-Mail:
Please confirm that the attendee information on the Order Confirmation email which was sent to you immediately after completing the registration process is correct.
If you find an error, please login to FBLA Connect to fix your error.
If you need additional assistance, please email [email protected].
Accident Insurance is optional.
FBLA can provide optional accident insurance for your attendees for $2.00 per person. It can be purchased during the registration process.
Accident insurance is available from Federal Insurance Company. Those who purchase this insurance will be covered while in attendance at the NFLC, including travel directly to and from the conference. Coverage begins at the actual start of the trip to the NFLC and continues on a 24-hour basis during the trip. It ends when attendees return to their permanent residences. Benefits include up to $25,000 for accidental death or dismemberment and up to $2,500 for accidental excess medical expenses. The maximum limit of insurance is $500,000 per accident. Coverage is subject to the full terms and conditions in the master policy. Insurance is not available for onsite registrants and there are no refunds.
Please note: This is accident insurance; it does not cover illnesses not related to an accident. Sunburn is not classified as an accident. For a claim against this policy, notify the FBLA National Center in writing for verification of coverage and claim information.
Please email [email protected], with all refund and/or cancellation requests by October 15, 2024. A 50% penalty will be applied if you cancel before October 15th. There will be no refunds after October 15, 2024.
*Please Note: Any requests for refunds after payment has been made will result in a cancellation fee.
Advisers or chaperones that are Legacy Lifetime Professional Members should request their complimentary registration by emailing [email protected] or call FBLA National Center 703.657.8188 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ET to register.
Questions? Email [email protected] – no phone calls please.
Hotel
Des Moines Marriott Downtown
Address: 700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309
Room Rate: $145 before taxes and fees
*Rooms subject to a 16.5% sales/occupancy tax and a $5 GA occupancy fee.
Deadline to Book: September 25, 2024
Parking: Guests staying at the hotel will have a discounted parking fee of $5 per night.
Queen/Queen:
$169 before taxes and fees
$189.28 with taxes and fees
King:
$149 before taxes and fees
$166.88 with taxes and fees
Reservation Link: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1725384272799&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true
Group Reservations (10+ Rooms): Please contact Laila Jepson at [email protected] or (515) 245-5535
Reservations by Phone: Call 1-800-514-4681 ask for the Iowa Future Business Leaders of America Rate.
Payment by Check
Make checks payable to: Des Moines Downtown Marriott
Include Confirmation Number on Check
Receipt Deadline: Checks must be delivered no later than 4 days prior to arrival.
*If the hotel receives a check after that point, we cannot guarantee that it can be processed and applied to your reservations.
Mail checks to:
Des Moines Downtown Marriott
C/O Reservations- FBLA Conference
700 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
Pre-Payment by Credit Card: Email Brent Edwards [email protected] you will be sent an online credit card authorization form to fill out.
Payment by Credit Card On-Site: Must have credit card with you – hotel cannot use credit card used at time of booking.
Need an invoice? Please contact Jordan Jepson at 515-245-5510
Hotel Check-In/Check Out
- Check-In: 4:00 PM
- Check-Out: 12:00 PM
*Additional charges apply for early check-in/late check-out
Parking: Guests staying at the hotel will have a discounted parking fee of $5 per night.
Tentative Schedule
Thursday, October 24
Location: Des Moines Marriott Downtown
12:30-1:30 PM: Kick-Off
1:30-5:00 PM: Resume Reviews, Business Experiences, Career Speed Networking, and Career Showcase & Expo
7:00-10:00 PM: Network & Unwind Social
Friday, October 25
Location: Principal Financial Group
9:00 AM-3:00 PM: Workshops & Panels; Lunch provided at PFG
3:00-4:30 PM: Networking Reception
Saturday, October 19
Location: Des Moines Marriott Downtown
8:00 AM-12:00 PM: Case Competition, Workshops & Panels, Headshots
12:00-12:30 PM: Closing Session
Conference Policies
Business Case Competition
FBLA’s Business Case Competition challenges college students to develop strategic solutions to real-world business scenarios. Participants collaborate in teams, presenting their innovative ideas to industry professionals and gaining valuable insights into business strategy and problem-solving.
View the Business Case Competition guidelines here.
Details of CCC Competitive Events
- Competitors must register for and attend the CCC
- Competitors must be pre-registered for the competition. There will be no on-site registration.
*No refunds available.
Career Connections Conference Attendees
*Friday Day Pass attendees NOT eligible
Saturday morning of the Career Connections Conference (CCC)
No, registrations are open to any Collegiate member
The case competition and rating sheet will be emailed to registered competitors by October 10th.
The competition schedule will be emailed to all participants no later than Friday at 10 am during the Career Connections Conference.
Yes, the top three teams will be recognized at the CCC Closing Session with a medal.
The Business Case Competition is a fall-only competition.
Adventureland Phantom Fall Fest Excursion
Get ready for an unforgettable Friday night adventure at Adventureland’s Phantom Fall Fest—an optional excursion filled with thrills, chills, and spine-tingling excitement!
Phantom Fall Fest is back at Adventureland, offering non-stop thrills during the day and hair-raising scares after dark. Experience your favorite rides with added intensity and prepare for frights lurking around every corner. With four haunted houses, fog-filled pathways, and terrifyingly realistic special effects, you and your friends will navigate scare zones like Deadsville and Hellbillies, where surprises await at every turn.
Cost:
- $50 during conference registration
- $60 after October 8th
Registration Includes:
- Admission to Phantom Fall Fest from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Round-trip shuttle transportation from the conference venue to Adventureland
How to Register:
Sign up for this exclusive excursion on the conference registration page.
Logistics:
- Shuttles will begin departing the Marriott at 5:00 PM and return from Adventureland starting at 10:00 PM.
- The park opens at 6:00 PM and closes at 10:00 PM.
Don’t miss out on this thrilling adventure—secure your spot today!
