Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions 
of students and parents.

1. What is BPA?
2. Who can join BPA?
3. What does a member of BPA do?
4. What does it cost to be in BPA?
5. When are the state conferences?
6. When is region competition?
7. Where is national competition this year?
8. When does BPA meet?

What is BPA?

BPA stands for Business Professionals of America.  BPA is a 
national organization of students who might be interested in 
business careers and leadership training.

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Who can join BPA?

Any student, grades 9 - 12, who is enrolled in a business class 
now or last year may join BPA.

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What does a member of BPA do?

Members of BPA learn leadership skills, participate in service 
projects, compete against students from other schools in a 
variety of areas including job interview, speech, computer 
applications, computer graphics, digital media, computer 
programming, entrepreneurship, and team events like website 
development and small business management.

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What does it cost to be in BPA?

Dues for the year include state dues of $5 and national dues of 
$12.  These dues must be paid in September.  The region 
competition fee is $10.  In addition, state conference 
registration and hotel fees must be either earned by working in 
the concession stand or paid by the student.  These fees are 
around $65 for the fall conference and about $120 
for the spring conference.  These state conferences are NOT 
mandatory to attend.

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When are the state conferences?

The state fall leadership conference is at the Sheraton South 
Hotel in Bloomington, MN from October 11-12, 2009.  The state 
spring leadership conference and competition is at the Hyatt 
Regency Hotel in Minneapolis from March 11-13, 2010.

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When is region competition?

Region competition is on January 7 at Century College in White 
Bear Lake.

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Where is national competition this year?

National competition is in Anaheim, CA this year from May 5-9, 
2009.  The cost to the student is defrayed somewhat by the income 
of the group during the year; however usually is between $300 and 
$400.

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When does BPA meet?

The local chapter of BPA has meetings at least once a month, 
usually on meeting day, around the 15th of the month, during the 
school day.  Occasionally there will be meetings before or after 
school for committees, new members, or teams.

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