Wired Production Group is committed to building partnerships between our organization and the community. This includes student-led organizations across Eastern Iowa, including those focused on business, arts, and technology education. New in 2024, Wired Production Group is proud to support Business Professionals of America.
What is Business Professionals of America?
Business Professionals of America, also known as BPA, is a national, cocurricular, career/technical organization for students in middle school, high school, and college business and technology programs. Across 25 states and Puerto Rico, BPA has over 1,800 chapters with more than 45,000 students involved. BPA is known as the leading career/technical student organization for students pursuing careers in finance, marketing, business management, office administration, information technology, and other related career fields.
For over 50 years, BPA has provided opportunities for leadership development skills, personal and professional growth programs, and curriculums with career-related competencies. Students who are included in BPA will enhance their social awareness, better understand their civic responsibilities, and have a stronger understanding of the business community.
To build business-focused competencies through BPA, students compete at the regional, state, and national levels in Workplace Skills Assessment Program events, engage in community and leadership service activities, and meet business students across the state and country through participation in BPA programs. Additionally, BPA students participate in the National Leadership Academy, Officer Elections, BPA Cares Program, and varying scholarship programs.
Students Entering the Workforce: Iowa BPA
BPA is represented in our home state of Iowa with 50 chapters. While BPA is open to any business student at the high school or college level, individual members join through local chapters. More than 500 students across the state of Iowa compete in the BPA competitions and participate in state-level programming.
Ron Rausch Speaks at Iowa BPA Conference
In February 2024, our Wired Production Group CEO, Ron Rausch, attended the Iowa BPA State Leadership Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. Ron was invited to speak on entrepreneurship with the students in two breakout sessions during the conference.
During these sessions, students were encouraged to engage in the conversation, ask questions, and chime in with ideas and feedback. Conversations with the presentation surrounded the strategies of networking for business growth, effective marketing and communication, and cultivating a healthy workspace culture.
Local Support for Future Entrepreneurs and Business Professionals with Prairie High School BPA
In the Cedar Rapids area, Wired Production Group proudly supports Prairie High School’s BPA chapter. Prairie High School is home to over 60 students in the BPA organization. For the 2023-2024 school year, Prairie BPA has two students representing their chapter of BPA at the state level. These students represent the state BPA organization as Reporter and Vice President. The Prairie BPA organization is led by three advisors, Mrs. Gudenkauf, Mr. Rheingans, and Mrs. Hynek.
In February 2024, Prairie BPA competed at the State Leadership Conference. Out of 500+ students statewide participating in the competition, Prairie BPA had 59 chapter members competing. 46 of those students qualified for the National Leadership Conference in Chicago in May 2024. Additionally, Iowa BPA students have elected Corryn Rausch from Prairie High School as President of Iowa BPA for the 2024-2025 school year.
Prairie BPA Pledge Drive
Prairie BPA hosted a pledge drive to kick off 2024. This year’s pledge drive was themed, “Don’t Drive Distracted.” This anti-distracted driving pledge collected signatures from over 400 high school students who committed to not driving while distracted. Upon signing the pledge, students were awarded a sticker to showcase their commitment to their pledge. Wired Production Group was proud to sponsor this pledge drive.
The drive organized by BPA students was designed to be a part of their submission for the BPA Torch Awards Program. The Torch Awards Program is where students complete activities in the seven Torch categories: Leadership; Service; Cooperation; Knowledge; Friendship; Love, Hope, Faith; and Citizenship.
How to Support BPA
- Join: If you have any high school or college level students interested in expanding their business skillset as they move into the workforce, encourage them to join their local BPA chapter. You can find your local chapter here.
- Sponsorship: Sponsors and community partners are a driving force behind the success of the BPA organization at the local, state, and national levels. Sponsorships are designed to support each level of the BPA at various levels.
- Volunteer: BPA is consistently seeking individuals who are committed to student success and interested in supporting young business professionals. This includes judging competitive events at all BPA levels, helping at events, speaking in classrooms, and more. Connect with your local BPA chapter to sign up as a volunteer.
- Exhibit: At various BPA competitions, businesses and organizations can connect with students through exhibitor opportunities. The students actively participating in these exhibits at BPA events are future customers, future employees, and prospective students for businesses and organizations of all industries, sizes, and types. Information on exhibitor spaces at the National Leadership Conference can be viewed here.
- Advocate: You can help share what BPA is all about at no cost to you! If you support BPA’s mission to develop and empower student leaders, find ways to advocate for and share information on BPA with those in your community, inside or outside the workplace.
Wired Production Group is beyond excited to build upon this new connection with Business Professionals of America in 2024 and beyond as we work together to grow to empower young people to grow themselves and their careers in business, information technology, and more. Learn more about BPA in Iowa on their website.