High school students from throughout the region will converge Thursday, Feb. 6, at Northwest Missouri State University as it hosts the annual District I Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Conference.

More than 700 FBLA members and their advisors from nearly 40 chapters are expected to participate in workshops and competitive events. FBLA members will participate in performance events related to job interview, social media, entrepreneurship, business ethics and impromptu speaking. They also will attend leadership workshops and view exhibits.

The conference begins with an opening session at 8:15 a.m. at the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts, where Dan Meers, who has portrayed Kansas City Chiefs mascot K.C. Wolf for 30 years, will deliver a humorous and motivational keynote address, titled “Courageous Leadership - Living a Life of Influence.” Meers was scheduled to appear at last year’s conference, but the event was canceled because of inclement weather.

In 2006, Meers was selected as the first NFL mascot inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame.  He travels throughout the United States and the world, entertaining thousands of people both in and out of costume. He has performed in more than 30 states and six different countries. Speaking to audiences of all ages, his enthusiasm, optimism and love for life are contagious and make him an inspiration to everyone he meets.

Deborah Burns, the District I lead chapter adviser, is organizing the conference. Northwest campus liaisons are Dr. Nancy Zeliff, a professor in the School of Computer Science and Information Systems; Cari Cline, an instructor in the School of Computer Science and Information Systems; and Prassana Oruganti, a Northwest graduate student.

For more information about the conference, contact Zeliff at 660.562.1292 or nzeliff@nwmissouri.edu.