By Stephen Smoot
For its 2026 statewide conference of college student participants, the Future Business Leaders of America selected the theme of “Make Your Mark.”
Even better, the FBLA chose to make its mark on behalf of its members in Moorefield. Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College will host a two-day conference and competition on April 23 and 24. College students from across the state will converge on Moorefield to work to earn spots in nationals later in the year.
“This is the first time it has been in the Eastern Panhandle,” shared Dixie Heavner of EWVCTC, heading up the team putting together the conference.
Students will compete in different formats, including timed tests and presentations to panels of judges. Testing fields include cybersecurity, communications, economics, entrepreneurship, accounting, and other fields. Students may make presentations in business, customer service, emerging business issues, and job interviewing. Students may pick and choose where they compete.
Four attendees will earn a space in national competition.
Thursday night will see events that bring together attendees for socializing and fun activities. A private reception will welcome attendees after check-in, followed by a line dancing class. Friday morning will open with the keynote address from Chris Mureithi of Nairobi in Kenya. He is a globally recognized speaker with expertise in leadership development.
In February, he shared with an audience that “Over the years, I’ve helped many organizations build stronger cultures. In most cases, leadership can easily point out what needs improvement — systems, staff, processes, structures. Yet, the most critical area is often overlooked: the leadership itself.”
Heavner has issued a regional call for vendors who would find attendees a good audience for their project, program, or business. An area is reserved for organizations to set up and man information tables. Heavner hopes that a significant number will wish to participate and said “it’s a great way to spotlight our local businesses.”
Conference participants will come from Blue Ridge CTC in Martinsburg, Bluefield State, Concord University, Davis and Elkins, Glenville State, Marshall, Southern West Virginia CTC, West Virginia Junior College, West Virginia Wesleyan, and others. “We have 55 active college student members ready to compete.”
Heavner explained that Potomac State does not have a club, but that she and FBLA organizers hope to have one organized there.
Also being organized as the event takes shape are teams of volunteers and event sponsors. So far, EWVCTC is a gold sponsor, St. George clinic in Tucker County a silver, and the bronze category includes WVU Medicine – Grant Memorial Hospital, Go Mart, and Moorefield Lions Club.
