Event timeframe: June 6-8, 2026

During my time in DECA, I tend to make this joke: "Wouldn't it be cool if there was a CTSO National/International Conference in Las Vegas?" But every time, people would laugh at that idea or say it's impossible. Some reasons were related to "being too far" or "the Strip would be scary," like other downtown areas aren't a similar case. But next thing you know, my friends start to tell me back in April that they are coming to my home city because ONE CTSO decided to host their national conference in Las Vegas, NV.


When I found out that the Future Business Leaders of America, Inc. (FBLA) Collegiate National Leadership Conference was going to be in my home city, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to reach out to their staff and see if I could be their photographer. And for my first NLC, it indeed happened!


My role as a photographer

Throughout this conference, we held a rapid headshot/chapter photo session on the first day, where over 28 people came by to get a professional photo taken. This was a joy to do as it was my first time taking photos in my own booth area. It was a chance to talk with the members and advisors and hear about their experience in Las Vegas. From there, I took the chance to explore the expo hall to meet with a few of the companies and members running for FBLA National Office. Here are some of the candids and funny moments that came out of it:

Young man in blue jacket representing Wharton Academy at a University of Pennsylvania conference booth.
Group of seven diverse young professionals posing together at a formal business leadership event.
Two young women in business attire having an animated conversation at a professional networking event.
Two women browsing jewelry at a Kendra Scott display booth at a business conference expo.
Young woman in FBLA blazer stands at a Connect the Four membership campaign booth at conference.

What made it even better was that many familiar individuals I know were also involved in Collegiate DECA and FBLA. Getting to share my recommendations of locations, cuisine, and activities for members to do made me feel great, as if I had over a thousand guests I was able to welcome to Las Vegas. I even had the chance to take some of the members from Utah out for some ramen, which is a moment I'll never forget. I had a lot of joy running into many of them at the opening and awards sessions and capturing them on stage. Including photos of the FBLA Collegiate National Officers, advisors, and award winners:

Man in green blazer and novelty tie dances with glow stick at a conference event party.
Two men in formal attire smile on stage at an awards ceremony with blue curtain backdrop.
Six professionals wearing conference badges pose together smiling at a formal networking event with blue stage lighting.
Four students proudly hold a red Nebraska flag at an awards ceremony in a decorated conference hall.
Two women networking at a formal evening event, wearing lanyards and badges in a dimly lit conference venue.

Special Thanks

I want to thank the FBLA staff for being so welcoming and helpful throughout the process. While I worked closely with Evan Dean, Kent Storm, CAE, CMP, Dylan Kennedy, and Darla Owens for most of the time, I appreciated the whole staff for taking the time to meet and explain how FBLA NLC works. And of course, special thanks to the National Officers (Jonathan, Meri, Kaia, Kaddie, Brianna, Colin) for doing an amazing job leading this conference. From connecting at the expo hall and rehearsals to getting some late-night In-N-Out after awards, I had a blast with you all! To the newly elected officers (Brianna, Kaddie, Colin, Frank Cappello, Yuxi Shao), you have a whole adventure ahead of you, and I wish you the best of luck!


Finally, I want to shout out another photographer who assisted me during this conference, Iain Perera. He was responsible for capturing the off-stage award headshot photos, and he did a fabulous job! Here are some examples below:

Young man in suit holds FBLA Cybersecurity National Champion 2026 banner in front of FBLA backdrop.
Two women in black dresses holding an FBLA award at a Future Business Leaders of America event.
Young man in blue suit holding FBLA award trophy, smiling at camera in front of Future Business Leaders of America backdrop.
Two FBLA award winners in maroon suits proudly holding crystal trophies at a Future Business Leaders of America event.
Two women wearing conference lanyards and black blazers smile together at a professional event.

General COnference

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Two women in red dresses share an award on stage at a formal ceremony event.

 

Award Session

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Young woman in black dress smiles holding FBLA award trophy at Future Business Leaders of America event backdrop.

 

Award Headshots

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