Frequently Asked Questions
When and where does the JA National Student Leadership Summit (NSLS) take place?
NSLS will take place from June 9–13, 2024 in Washington, D.C. June 9 and 13 are travel days. The actual event, including the competition and other experiences, will take place June 10–12. Lodging and most of the sessions and events will take place at the Marriott Metro Center. More information can be found at studentevents.ja.org.
What’s new at 2024 NSLS?
In 2024, NSLS will feature not only the JA Company of the Year Competition, but also the JA Social Innovation Challenge. Both competitions feature entrepreneurial student competitors, but they highlight different stages of the entrepreneurial process. JA Company of the Year finalists have operated companies over the course of the school year while JA Social Innovation Challenge finalists are in the pitch stage of their business development.
Because we will add 10 additional teams (JA Social Innovation Challenge finalists), the Student Expo will require students to use their time and resources strategically.
In the past, the Expo booths have utilized pipe and drape to define booths and allow companies to hang signage. This year, no pipe and drape will be used, and any signs will need to be freestanding and remain within the confines of their booth footprint. Additional information will be shared with finalists once announced.
Who is eligible to participate?
JA Company of the Year Competition:
JA Companies must have been active during the 2023-2024 school year to be eligible to participate. JA Companies must have participated in JA Company Program®, JA Fellows, or other JA USA approved variation, and must have followed the JA Program Implementation Standards which include:
Completion of the full curriculum
A community volunteer or educator has taught the minimum number of Instructional Contact Hours
Submission and approval of the Product Approval Application
JA Social Innovation Challenge
Competitors must have participated in JA Be Entrepreneurial, JA Entrepreneurial Mindset, JA Company Program, or 3DE 11th grade during the 2023-2024 school year.
What are the age requirements for participating students?
Students representing their companies or teams in the competitions must have been enrolled in high school during the 2023-2024 school year. Middle school students or students who graduated prior to 2024 will automatically be asked to withdraw from the competition.
How many students may participate?
A minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) students are allowed to represent their student company at the JA Company of the Year competition, and a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of four (4) students are allowed to represent their student team at the JA Social Innovation Challenge to ensure fairness in all aspects of the competitions. JA USA will make no exceptions to this requirement. Student representatives are not limited to company officers, and JA Areas should work with volunteers and teachers to determine the most equitable way to determine student representation.
What costs are the students and chaperones responsible for paying?
Students and chaperones are responsible for all transportation costs to and from Washington, D.C., as well as all personal incidentals.
What costs does JA USA cover?
JA USA covers the costs associated with lodging and JA USA-organized activities for up to five (5) students and one (1) chaperone for each JA Company of the Year team and up to four (4) students and one (1) chaperone for each JA Social Innovation Challenge team. All meals will be covered beginning on Monday, June 10.
What should companies expect at the Student Expo?
Details are still being finalized; any deviation from the details provided here will be shared with companies and teams prior to the competition.
Company of the Year:
Each company will be provided a 6’ table, with a black tablecloth, to hold materials or to display products. No backdrop will be provided. Companies may bring their own branded tablecloth, and they may create a free-standing floor display as long as it is within the booth parameters. All Expo items must fit within the booth area due to space limitations with no exceptions.
Social Innovation Challenge:
Each team will be provided a 4’ round table, with a black tablecloth, to hold materials or displays. No backdrop will be provided. Companies may bring their own branded tablecloth, and they may create a free-standing floor display as long as it is within the booth parameters. All Expo items must fit within the booth area due to space limitations with no exceptions. Students are not required to illustrate a prototype, but they are welcome to do so.
What is the chaperone’s responsibility/role?
Chaperones are required to sign and to adhere to all requirements listed in the Chaperone Responsibility Form and must agree to supervise students at all times during their stay in Washington, D.C. Chaperones are expected to ensure student compliance with all matters related to safety, attendance, and code of conduct, and facilitate a fun and engaging student experience. Chaperones must be willing and able to perform their obligations at all times, including traveling to and from Washington, D.C. with their students, coordinating airport shuttle transportation, knowing where their students are at all times, and taking part in all sessions and events on the agenda in which their attendance is requested.
Is there an age requirement for chaperones?
Yes, chaperones must be at least 25 years of age at the time of competition.
Who qualifies as a chaperone?
Chaperones must be at least 25 years of age and able to travel to and from the event with their students. Chaperones are expected to stay at the event and supervise students throughout the duration of the Summit. Chaperones are responsible for ensuring the JA Area has all necessary permission slips and a signed copy of the Volunteer Conduct Standards on file. Chaperones will be required to submit to a background check prior to the competition.
Can more than one chaperone attend?
No. JA USA will cover the housing, meals, and organized activity costs for only one chaperone per team.
Are other guests from a JA Area allowed to attend in addition to students and one chaperone?
JA USA recognizes that JA staff, volunteers, or educators may be interested in attending NSLS. There are three ways to attend the event.
Public Events – Two events, The Entrepreneurship Expo on Capitol Hill and Company Presentations, are open to the general public. Exact times and locations will be shared with finalists in mid-May. No registration is required to attend public events.
Public Events with Gala – In addition to attending the public events, guests may also attend the Gala Awards Dinner which will occur in the evening of Wednesday, June 12. Registration and a ticket purchase of $175 is required by no later than Friday, May 17.
Guest Access – This option is available only for additional JA staff, volunteers, or educators associated with the student company. Guests will have access to all NSLS events which includes all meals. Registration, completion of a background check, and a $650 fee are required no later than Friday, May 17. Lodging is the responsibility of the guest.
The JA room block at the Marriott Metro Center is limited. We will accommodate one additional room per team through the reserved room block. Additional guests needing rooms must make their own arrangements for lodging.
What is the JA Area’s responsibility?
JA Area staff are responsible for sharing information about NSLS with student companies, gathering company and team deliverables, and submitting required information via studentsummit.ja.org by Friday, May 3. If your student company is selected as a finalist, the JA Area will register the student company and work with JA USA to ensure that their students and chaperone complete and submit the required information provided by JA USA no later than Friday, May 17. The JA Area staff serves as the direct link between the JA USA competition staff and the students and chaperone. Because of the need for highly engaged and responsible chaperones, JA Area staff should take the lead in determining the right fit.
How do participants make travel reservations?
Travel arrangements are coordinated by the chaperone and JA Area to ensure the students and chaperone are traveling together. Finalists will receive additional information closer to the event.
Can participants arrive before the event?
Chaperones are required to travel to and from the event with their students. JA USA only covers the cost of accommodations during the event. All participants are expected to travel to and from the event on the recommended travel days.
Can a student extend their trip?
No. As participants, students are not allowed to extend the length of the trip. All students are required to travel with their designated chaperone to and from the scheduled event.
Can students or chaperones go off-site to meet friends or family?
No. Chaperones and students are required to attend all competition activities and are not
permitted to go off-site to meet with family and friends during the competition.
Can students schedule their own tours in Washington, D.C.?
Yes. After registering and checking into the hotel on Sunday, students and chaperones may explore the many sites in Washington, D.C. On Monday, June 10 there will be additional time available between 10am – 3pm.
What if there is a medical emergency?
Once on-site, JA USA staff will connect participants with the necessary medical services, including medical and dental care at the expense of the participant.
Why should JA Areas participate?
Participation in the JA National Student Leadership Summit is an exceptional opportunity for students. NSLS is an authentic learning experience that allows students to engage in all JA has to offer, while also increasing awareness and national exposure for the JA Areas. Students will have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and expand their learning beyond the classroom.