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A Guide to BPA

Basics

Click here for details.

Joining

Click here for details.

Preparing

Click here for details.

Competing

Click here for details.

Basics

Basics

What is BPA?

  • BPA is a business competition that allows students to develop and empower their leadership skills to discover their passion and change the world by creating unmatched opportunities in learning, professional growth, and service.

  • BPA holds numerous events throughout the year:

    • The competitions are the most notable events.​

      • There are​ 4 conferences that TAMS will be attending (Fall, Regional, State, and National (NLC)).

    • ​BPA also holds frequent Webinar meetings for you to learn about BPA and different aspects of leadership and business.

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What are the Fall, Regional, and State conferences?

  • The Fall, Regional, and State conferences are the pre-requisites to the National Leadership Conference (NLC).

  • You will be given a chance to compete, receive awards, and participate in elections in these conferences.

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What is the National Leadership Conference (NLC)?

  • NLC is the national level for the BPA competition

  • It will be held in California.

  • Competitors will be given a chance not only to compete in the BPA conference and win awards, but they will also be able to run for BPA national office and visit tourist attractions in the area.

  • Further details about lodging and transportation will be discussed as NLC approaches.

    • Please join our Facebook page to stay updated on information on GAs that contain pertinent information.​

    • Be sure to join the BPA Facebook page as well!

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How do conferences work?

  • Because BPA competitions are first held in Dallas, the commute will be through the use of TAMS Vans.

  • Prior to the conference, TBO will ensure to prepare you for the competition.

  • If you qualify for the NLC, we will create a Facebook group for you to join. Keep an eye out on our main Facebook page for details.

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At TAMS, we will be sending our students to the collegiate level of BPA.

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Joining

Joining

Anyone is able to join any event that we are hosting! Even if you have never done anything business related or you do not want to pursue business as a career in the future, we highly encourage you to give BPA and our other events a chance. The skills you learn from competitions like BPA will teach you important skills for any job such as professionalism, communication, leadership, and more!

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How do I join BPA?

  • In the first semester, we will post in our Facebook group a link to join a BPA Facebook group.

  • Make sure to join this group if you have any interest whatsoever in participating in BPA.​

  • We will help you choose your event and lead you through the process of competing in BPA through the use of that Facebook page and GAs.

  • If you wish to meet with the execs or committee heads privately, please shoot any of us a message!

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Why should I join BPA?

  • BPA is an amazing way for you to learn more about how to display leadership skills in a professional environment.

  • It's the perfect experience for you to have to prepare you for any interview you may have in the future (from college interviews to internship interviews to job interviews).

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We look forward to getting to know you!

Preparing

Preparing

Our executives and committee heads will ensure to prepare you for BPA. If at any point you feel unprepared or have any questions please message any exec or committee head.

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Tips for competing in BPA:

  • BPA focuses a lot more on the small details that create professionalism:

    • The dress code is business professional, so you will need a suit and formal shoes​.

    • Make sure you know how to wear a suit! It may seem silly, but many people do not know of the proper rules to wear a suit (BPA judges will count off points for not wearing a suit correctly). Below are a few rules to wearing a suit​​:

      • Never button the bottom button of your blazer. If you have two buttons on your blazer, only button the top button. If you have three buttons on your blazer, only button the top two buttons. If you have one button, simply button it.

      • You must wear a blazer over your dress shirt or dress.

      • Always button the top button of your shirt.

      • Your belt and shoes should match.

      • Make sure you know how to properly tie a tie!

  • When entering the room, you may greet the judge(s) by shaking his/her/their hand(s) and introducing yourself.

  • Remember, confidence is key! Make sure you do not look nervous in the competition room.

    • Easy tips to look more confident is to project your voice, sit up straight, and make eye contact with your judge(s).​

  • Practice your presentation beforehand!

    • The TBO execs and committee heads will be sure to help you through this process​

    • When you are completed with your presentation, we will hold a mock presentation where you will present to the execs and committee heads.

      • We will give you advice on how to improve your presentation.​

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While we may be providing resources to help you prepare for BPA, please make sure that you are also putting in the effort to prepare for your event as well. We can only do so much to help you :)

Competing

Competing

For the Regional, Fall, and State conferences, we will not be staying overnight at a hotel. Instead, we will be commuting from the competition (at Dallas for the State Conference) to TAMS.

However, for NLC, we will have to travel to California and stay at a hotel for the four-day competition.

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At the Regional, Fall, and State conferences you should bring:

  • backpack

  • laptop

  • business formal wear (suits with a blazer and formal shoes)

  • anything your presentation requires (Ex. forms, boards, proposals, etc.)

  • writing utensils

  • water

  • money

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As soon as you walk into your competition room, you must act like the role you are supposed to be:

  • The little things will make you stand out​:

    • Ex. Following the suit rules as seen in the preparing section of this guide

  • Make sure you are professional (the way you speak, act, and other mannerisms are important to show that you are at a business formal setting).

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  • If you have any concerns on the day of the competition, find an exec or a committee head.

  • Do not stress out too much before your event! Remember this is supposed to be fun :)

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