MPHS FBLA Students Visit American Airlines Center

MPHS students on the steps of the American Airlines Center.

By Matthew Armstrong
Tiger Talk Staff

Mount Pleasant High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter had the opportunity to travel to Dallas and attend the Mavericks game against the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 29. FBLA students started with a tour of American Airlines Center and learned numerous facts about the venue and the business aspect of the events that are held there.
During the tour, students were shown the facility and information was provided pertaining to what was currently being viewed. While in the south lobby, which contains model American Airlines aircrafts, students were informed that American Airlines agreed to pay $195 million over a 30-year period for naming rights and their name to be displayed throughout the building.
Once the tours ended all the attending students from FBLA, DECA, and BPA convened in the area to listen to speakers. Those who spoke worked for the Mavericks in various jobs including group sales, corporate sales, sponsorship and content management. All jobs related to many events that are offered in FBLA.
V eronica Cantu, Director of Sales Marketing, touched on branding and how students should strive to be a brand that others would want to associate with. The students were also informed that as an employer she goes to social media to see how prospective employees brand themselves. The importance of how social media can affect your future was discussed many times proving that what one posts can have consequences.
Before the game FBLA Officers Grace Whitten and Matthew Armstrong were given What-A-Burger High-Five Line Passes. This allowed them the opportunity to give each of the Mavs players a high five right before the game. After the game started, FBLA members had a great time cheering on the Mavericks and making memories with their peers and chapter.
This was a great opportunity for students to learn about the different careers available within the sport and entertainment industry, and it allowed the students to learn specifically about how to market in this industry.