State Conference Season Round-Up!

Spring is THE season for career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) to hold their state conferences, so we thought we would catch you up on this year’s batch: DECA, FBLA, SkillsUSA, HOSA, and FCCLA. Here are the highlights from the CTSOs and their respective state advisors.

DECA

DECA kicked off the season with its State Career and Development Conference, held February 24-26 in Lake Geneva. This was DECA’s 60^th anniversary conference, welcoming its largest attendance ever at 1,635 attendees from 100 chapters! Students participated in 28 competitive events, 22 project events, and 9 online events. DECA is proud of the nearly $100,000 they raised for community service projects this year, and more than $23,000 was awarded in travel scholarships.

“It was a true honor and privilege to be part of Wisconsin DECA’s 60^th anniversary celebration. Some highlights were custom anniversary awards, special alumni/judge events and showcasing the organization’s historical impact,” says Tim Fandek, DPI’s Marketing, Management, and Entrepreneurship Education Consultant and DECA Chartered Association Advisor.

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)

More than 2,300 attendees representing 179 school districts met last week at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay for the 2025 State Leadership Conference for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Jen Jackson, CTE’s Business and Information Technology Consultant and the FBLA State Advisor, reports the conference hosted 76 competitive events, including objective testing, role plays, performance, and chapter events in a wide array of Career Clusters.

“Beyond the competitions,” says Jen, “we offer a Leadership Academy partnered with Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), business tours, workshops led by business professionals, Microsoft Office training for educators, and more.”

SkillsUSA

Madison’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum hosted the 52nd annual SkillsUSA Wisconsin State Leadership and Skills Conference on April 1 and 2. More than 1,750 middle, high school, and college/postsecondary students participated—a 24 percent increase over last year.

“SkillsUSA continues to prepare students to be career-ready leaders, responsible community members, all while proving our competitors have the skills that employers are looking for,” says Jake Mihm, SkillsUSA State Advisor and DPI’s Technology and Engineering Education Consultant.

More than 75 competitions featured diverse skills, including welding, architectural drafting, cosmetology, speaking, masonry, engineering, video production, and more. SkillsUSA Wisconsin has more than 150 chapters in the state.

“Our answer to the workforce skills gap solution is here, alive, and working!" says Mihm.

HOSA-Future Health Professionals

HOSA-Future Health Professionals welcomed over 1,875 students to the HOSA State Leadership Conference, April 6-8, at the Wisconsin Dells. It featured 94 competitive and recognition events, 48 hands-on workshops, a very competitive Anatomy Tournament, and a cutting-edge Virtual Reality Simulation Center.

“Wisconsin HOSA has the best industry partners and members, all working towards a common goal to develop a strong and skilled healthcare pipeline,” says Christina Patrin, DPI’s Health Science Education Consultant and HOSA State Advisor.

HOSA has seen a 42 percent membership increase in the past year, reaching 5,639 members in 157 chapters, including 44 new or re-established chapters.

“With the healthcare workforce shortage projections looming, the CTSO is making an impact in filling the gap,” says Patrin.

Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)

The 2025 FCCLA State Leadership Conference was held April 7-9 in the Wisconsin Dells. The conference brought together 971 attendees, including FCCLA members, advisers, and stakeholders—a veritable sea of red jackets! This is the second face-to-face competition opportunity that students had for their STAR event. More than 700 students competed in 49 events. Rounding out the event were breakout sessions, keynote speakers, an expo, statewide community service and networking.

“Conference highlights included the FCCLA Knowledge Bowl and the Fashion Show, both of which showcased the creativity, collaboration, and confidence of our members,” says Chelsea Anderson-Ball, Lead STAR Event Consultant, Wisconsin FCCLA. “Wisconsin FCCLA continues to lead the way in preparing youth for success in families, careers, and communities.”

The season will come to a close when the Wisconsin Association of FFA State Convention meets June 9-12 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. See you there!