FBLA is a Career and Technical Student Organization based in Reston, Virginia, with chapters in 43 states. At the high school level, there are 225,000 members in 5,000 chapters nationally.

On Sunday, January 28, 900 students from the Chicago area and Northern Illinois gathered for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Northern Area Conference at Wauconda High School.

FBLA is a Career and Technical Student Organization based in Reston, Virginia, with chapters in 43 states. At the high school level, there are 225,000 members in 5,000 chapters nationally.

Northern Area President Thomas O'Brien, a senior at Wauconda High School, noted, "I thought it was a great start to the competition season and I look forward to seeing everyone at state." As President he supervised the conference, and added "it was an honor to host everyone at Wauconda."

National Phi Beta Lambda Officer Corbin Robinson, a student at St. Louis University in Missouri, was also in attendance at the Conference. He observed the enthusiasm amongst the students at the Conference, commenting that it was one of the most energetic FBLA conferences he has attended.

Incoming Northern Area President Matthew Droessler, a junior at Grayslake Central High School, opined that "the Area Conference...was organized and the workshops gave some helpful advice". He also added that he is "looking forward to working with so many inspiring people, and excited to see how we can make Northern Area better!"