State Leadership and Skills Conference
April 11-13, 2025
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Discover Your Path to Success!
Join us April 11-13, 2025 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for an unforgettable journey of learning, competition, and growth at the SkillsUSA Michigan State Leadership and Skills Conference.
This is your chance to showcase your talents, connect with industry leaders, and take a giant leap towards your future career.
Flex Your Skills at SLSC
Each April, approximately 500 business and industry leaders will coordinate nearly 80 skill and leadership contests that they have prepared for the 1500 student members from across the state.
These are hands-on skill contests, evaluated by the same industry leaders who prepare them. The competitions are based on industry-driven occupational skill standards. Business partners work throughout the school year to plan the competitive events and many of them hire their new employees right off the competition floor
Why Attend?
Compete in Prestige: Participate in nearly 80 skill and leadership contests designed by industry experts to mirror current occupational standards.
Win Big: Earn scholarships, tools, and prizes that can propel your career forward.
Network with the Best: Connect with peers and industry professionals who share your passion and drive.
Lead the Change: Get a chance to be elected to the SkillsUSA Michigan State Executive Council and make a difference.
Conference Activities
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Friday Miracle Minute at the Opening Session
At the Friday Opening General Session, we will have a Miracle Minute to donate money to a charity. We are asking all students and advisors to donate a few dollars and/or their pocket change to this Community Service activity. Please be sure to bring your donation with you to the Friday Opening General Session.
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State-wide Food Sculpture Contest
SkillsUSA supports community service activities, and the State Officers are sponsoring a State-wide Food Sculpture Contest. Winning schools will be recognized at the Sunday Morning Awards Program.
Food Sculpture Contest information is on the Resources page
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Saturday Advisor Meeting
All advisors are asked to attend the Advisor Meeting on Saturday night. This meeting is conducted by the Advisors Council. Advisor Years of Service awards and information regarding the National Leadership and Skills Conference will be given out at this meeting.
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Saturday Statesman Award Certification
All students can earn the Michigan Statesman Award on Saturday evening. Information will be included in your school packet. The award (a pin and certificate) can be earned by:
1) Reciting to a state officer the answers to SkillsUSA knowledge questions.
2) Have the state officer initial the spaces by all of the oral questions that he or she has reviewed.
3) Turning in the completed checklist that evening.
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Industry Awards Procedure
To conserve time and resources, the industry awards will be announced and distributed as follows.
Announcement – Before the Sunday Awards Ceremony begins, recognition will be given to the industry award donors on the large screen and again when the contest is announced.
Program – Industry award donors will also be recognized in the State Conference program.
Distribution – The industry awards will be given to the winners in a separate room outside of the ballroom. After the winners receive their medal and plaque on stage and have had their picture taken, they will need to go to the industry awards room and show their plaque to claim their industry award. They must show their plaque to receive their industry award.
For an industry award donor to receive recognition at the State Conference, the Industry Awards Form must be filled out completely and sent to the State Office by April 1, 2024.
