SLC Judged Event Descriptions
The following is a list and description of all our events that require volunteer judges from business and industry.
Some judged events have presubmitted materials from contestants. Events that have presubmitted materials will be available as indicated in the schedule below. Presubmitted events are indicated with an asterisk.
Postsecondary Division events will be accessible for judge evaluation on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. If you are assigned to an event with technical judging to be completed in advance, all judges must submit their evaluations by 8:00 PM on Friday, February 6, 2026.
Secondary Division events will be accessible for judge evaluation as early as Wednesday, February 11, 2026. If you are assigned to an event with technical judging to be completed in advance, all judges must submit their evaluation scores by 8:00 PM on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
Events marked with a ** (double asterisk) will require presubmitted materials to be evaluated before the in-person presentation on the day of the conference.
After you have reviewed the description list below, click here to complete the form to volunteer to sign up as an event judge.
ADVANCED INTERVIEW SKILLS: To test the contestant’s proficiency in job search and interview situations. Advanced Interview contestants will be required to prepare a career portfolio.
** BROADCAST NEWS PRODUCTION TEAM: The team will create a three to five (3-5) minutes news broadcast with at least two (2) different segments (news stories). The focus of the news story must be on the power of volunteering and giving back.
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES: This is a postsecondary division level event only. To provide the student the opportunity to demonstrate communication skills in arranging, organizing, and presenting information orally and effectively without prior knowledge of the topic.
** DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION: To encourage the contestant to create a one to two (1-2) minute video that introduces high school students to exciting and fast-growing careers in the digital age.
** ECONOMIC RESEARCH (INDIVIDUAL or TEAM): This is a secondary division level event only. One economic research topic is identified and provided at the beginning of the school year. The contestant/team will conduct research on the topic and present findings in a research paper, an oral presentation, and respond to questions from a panel of judges. Individual event contestants will have the topic regarding the importance of earning a college degree. Team contestants will have the topic regarding government intervention in market failures.
** ENTREPRENEURSHIP: The entrepreneurship contestant will develop an organizational structure and operating plan to initiate a small business. Contestants are to assume they are presenting/pitching their business plan to potential investors with the objective of securing financing for their business venture.
ETHICS & PROFESSIONALISM: To provide the student the opportunity to demonstrate communication skills in arranging, organizing, and presenting information orally regarding ethical frameworks to various aspects used in business today.
EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECH: This is a secondary division level event only. To provide the student the opportunity to demonstrate communication skills in arranging, organizing, and presenting information orally and effectively without prior knowledge of the topic.
FINANCIAL ANALYST TEAM: The financial analyst team uses analytical and problem-solving skills to make decisions and recommendations using financial reports, both internal and external. The team analyzes and interprets computer reports from a business case study.
** GLOBAL MARKETING TEAM: This is a secondary division level event only. The global marketing team will develop a plan that details pricing strategies and promotional plans for a business. The business they will focus on this year is a fictional U.S. based tech startup company.
** GRAPHIC DESIGN PROMOTION: The contestant creates a theme and illustrations for various promotional materials. This year, students will design products for BPA’s 60th anniversary.
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: To assess the contestant’s interpretation of personnel policies and knowledge of human resource management.
INTERVIEW SKILLS: To test the contestant’s proficiency in job search and interview situations.
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE TEAM: This is a secondary division level event only. The team demonstrates the use of correct parliamentary procedure through a chairman’s ability to conduct a business meeting in a democratic manner that allows the members of the team to effectively participate.
** PODCAST PRODUCTION TEAM: The team will demonstrate their ability to engage a target audience by creating a three to five (3-5) minute podcast on a provided topic. This year’s topic is exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) is influencing the art world.
PREPARED SPEECH: To provide the student the opportunity to demonstrate communication skills in securing, arranging, organizing, and presenting information orally.
PRESENTATION INDIVIDUAL or PRESENTATION TEAM: The student or team will demonstrate current desktop technologies and software to prepare and deliver an effective multimedia presentation. The individual contests will develop a presentation about new generative AI tools. The team contestants will develop a presentation about a popular educational app.
SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT TEAM: The small business management team will provide solutions to business cases.
** VIDEO PRODUCTION TEAM: The team will create a three to five (3-5) minute informative video regarding career exploration/trade and technical careers.
** WEBSITE DESIGN TEAM: The team will author and demonstrate knowledge of website preparation based upon a pre-determined topic. This year’s topic is to develop a website regarding a mental health awareness campaign.