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Compete

Pitch Decks: Your Questions Answered

Jun 17, 2025

New for the 2025-26 school year, six competitive events will replace the previously required 10-page written paper with a 20-slide pitch deck. Check out this article for answers to questions about the change to Pitch Decks.

Conferences

2025 Advisor Professional Learning Virtual Conference Keynote Speaker & Sessions

Jun 17, 2025

DECA is excited to share a look at the 2025 Advisor Professional Learning Virtual Conference keynote speaker and sessions. Join us on July 23-24 for two days filled with content focusing on instructional content that connects DECA to the classroom.

DECA News

Download the 2025-2026 DECA Guide

Jun 17, 2025

The DECA Guide provides all the information you need to have a successful year. Explore our learning programs, check out this year’s calendar, access competitive event guidelines and so much more!

DECA News

DECA Hosts Luminary Program Powered by Adobe in San Francisco

Jun 11, 2025

This elite professional development experience brings together distinguished DECA chapter advisors from across the DECA network to deepen their leadership, instructional, and digital skills in a unique “train-the-trainer” format.

Spotlights

How your DECA Judge Thinks like a Shark Tank Investor

Jun 4, 2025

DECA judges use mental shortcuts just like investors. Learn how to craft your pitch to match their mindset and make your project more memorable.

Spotlights

From FOMO to Finalist: How to Bounce Back After ICDC

Jun 3, 2025

Competing in DECA is an opportunity that shapes young business leaders in a multitude of ways. So whether you placed this year or not, your DECA journey is far from over. Set the precedent for a new year, one filled with growth, confidence and achievement.

Chapter Strategy

Recharge, Reassess and Restore: Your Chapter’s Guide to a Successful Summer

Jun 1, 2025

DECA doesn’t have to stop just because school is out. As a leader, take advantage of the summer months to prepare your chapter best to Go The Extra in the fall with three key tips: recharge, reassess and restore.

College Success

Navigating the Summer Before College

Jun 1, 2025

The summer before college is a unique and often overlooked chapter in the story of your academic journey. It’s a season that offers more than rest – it’s an opportunity to intentionally prepare, reflect and reset.

Chapter Strategy

The Best Leaders Go The Extra—Starting In The Summer

Jun 1, 2025

The summer months offer the perfect opportunity to get a head start on your goals before the school year kicks into high gear. Here are some tips to help you start your officer term off strong!

Leadership

Level Up This Summer: The Strength of Volunteering

Jun 1, 2025

Leadership doesn't end when the school year does, and neither should your impact. Volunteering is one of the most fulfilling ways to level up as a student, leader and citizen.

Chapter Strategy

Finish Strong, Start Stronger: Carrying This Year’s DECA Lessons into the Future

Jun 1, 2025

It’s time to reflect on all you’ve accomplished—and more importantly, what you’ve learned. As summer begins, you’re presented with an opportunity: to take those lessons and use them to fuel what’s next.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Redesigning All-Star Weekend

May 26, 2025

Step into the role of the director of public relations for the NBA. The senior vice president wants you to redesign the NBA All-Star weekend to create fan interest and increase return-on-investment for sponsors.

Spotlights

Announcing the Winners of the 2022 DECA Pumpkin Contest

Nov 1, 2022

Congratulations to the winners of DECA's Annual Pumpkin Contest! With an impressive 500+ submissions from members all across the DECA world, the selection process was not easy, but the members have voted and we are excited to announce the top three winners in each category!

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: A Lifelong Career in the Lodging Industry

Oct 31, 2022

Step into the role of the general manager at Hugo Inn – Capitol City, a full-service hotel and conference center. The district manager wants you to prepare a short presentation about different job opportunities in the lodging industry for a local career fair.

Career Insights

Selling You: How to Maximize Your Bargaining Power in Job Salary Negotiations

Oct 31, 2022

Getting the most out of salary negotiations can be daunting when you’re new to the working world. While salaries across the country vary from region to region, there are some general tactics everyone can keep in mind to bring their best to the negotiating table.

Spotlights

Non-Traditional SBE's: Printing and Engraving

Oct 28, 2022

School-based enterprises usually emerge in response to an identified need in the marketplace for a particular product or service. These two gold-certified, non-traditional SBEs are switching things up by providing their schools access to printing and engraving shops.

Career Insights

From a Handshake to a Helping Hand: Connecting with Community Professionals

Oct 26, 2022

Stepping into a conversation with a professional can be intimidating, but with five key steps, you can create a connection that goes from an introductory handshake to a long-term career helping hand.

Spotlights

Sauk Rapids-Rice DECA's First Officer Induction Ceremony

Oct 24, 2022

Sauk Rapids-Rice DECA hosted its first successful officer pinning and induction! The event consisted of professional headshots, music, dinner, a formal presentation of the executive council and the induction of all other junior officers.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Using Research in Halloween Merchandising

Oct 24, 2022

Step into the role of the director of merchandising and operations for Fright Night Costumes. The senior vice president wants you to analyze new research information and decide how the stores should change current inventory.

Spotlights

Non-Traditional SBEs: Banks and Credit Unions

Oct 21, 2022

School-based enterprises usually emerge in response to an identified need in the marketplace for a particular product or service. These two gold-certified, non-traditional SBEs are switching things up by providing their schools access to banks and credit unions.

Leadership

From Your Chapter to Your Community: All Those in Favor Say, “Let’s Vote!”

Oct 21, 2022

This November, general elections will take place. After registering to vote, research local poll locations, schedules and each candidate running. Be prepared to stand in line for your turn to vote on Election Day (Tuesday, November 8, 2022) or seek the availability of early voting.

Career Insights

Spotlight on Customer Service

Oct 17, 2022

What is customer service and why does it matter to your future career? Experts from Chick-fil-A, Men's Wearhouse, Publix and Walgreens share their thoughts.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Gambling with Financial Security

Oct 17, 2022

Step into the role of a financial advisor. A client has asked you for advice on investing for the future.

Spotlights

Blacksburg DECA's September Soiree Is a Success

Oct 14, 2022

In early September, Blacksburg DECA hosted its first annual "September Soiree" for potential members, including current marketing students and students enrolled in a marketing class next semester.

Most Recent Articles

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Leadership

The Ethics of Leadership

Sep 8, 2020

Ethical leaders exist in all walks of life. They are the individuals who step forward when crises occur, come to the rescue of others and generally do what's right—no matter what. Anyone can talk the talk, but can they walk the walk? In today's high-visibility, social world, more people are taking note of leaders’ behavior and holding them accountable.

Leadership

DECA Direct Magazine: Next Level Leadership

Sep 8, 2020

A new school year brings new chances to elevate your leadership to the next level. Discover fresh ideas to enhance your chapter and become a leader worth following in your school, community and beyond.

Leadership

The Next Level is Inclusion

Sep 8, 2020

It has never been more important for emerging leaders to be characterized by teamwork, innovation, competency and integrity. Fortunately, those are the valued characteristics of DECA’s student leaders. What if this moment needs you and the unique values that drive your leadership?

Chapter Strategy

Top Tips for Socially-distant Membership Recruitment

Sep 8, 2020

Building your chapter’s membership is one of the most important ways to set it up for success in the new school year. But what are the best ways to recruit within the “new normal” of more virtual interactions and less in-person activities? Learn how to recruit new members the socially-distant way with these top tips.

Chapter Strategy

The Power of the Diamond

Sep 8, 2020

Throughout your DECA career, you’ll wear the blazer, throw up a DECA diamond symbol and add lots of blue to your wardrobe. You will also undoubtedly hear DECA’s core values and mission statement more times than you can count. But have you ever stopped to think about what they really mean?

Chapter Strategy

Cultivate Your Chapter’s Culture

Sep 8, 2020

2020 is a year that has changed all of our lives. If your DECA chapter has experienced a decline in recent months, struggling to cope with virtual meetings and maintain engagement, your chapter culture may need a boost.

Chapter Strategy

Discover Your DECA Leadership Style

Sep 8, 2020

There are hundreds of assessments to help you pinpoint your leadership traits, but the only one you need to take your leadership to the next level is the DECA Leadership Style Quiz.

Leadership

Influence with Informal Leadership

Sep 8, 2020

While you may not have an official leadership title, you still have the ability to help take your chapter to the #NextLevel with your informal leadership influence. Read on to learn more about informal leadership and how you can use it to make this year a success for you and your chapter.

College Success

5 Tips for Your Freshman Year

Sep 2, 2020

Entering high school can be a nerve-wracking experience, but remember you're not alone! To help calm your nerves and ensure you start off on the right foot, follow these five tips for your freshman year.

DECA News

DECA Members Raise $7,000 Through the MDA Muscle Corp Program

Sep 1, 2020

DECA members raised over $7,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) this summer through the pilot MDA Muscle Corp Program. Twenty-one DECA members successfully completed the program and earned 40 hours of community service.

Spotlights

Mountain View High School Virtual Recruitment

Sep 1, 2020

Like for many chapters, this year’s DECA kickoff meeting was unique for Mountain View High School in Georgia. Even though the meeting was held through Zoom, the chapter still found a way to make it one of their best meetings yet.

Chapter Strategy

10 Ideas for Collegiate DECA Freshman Recruitment

Sep 1, 2020

Collegiate DECA offers incredible opportunities for members, and every year dedicated officers aim to increase membership. However, it can be a struggle to think of new, creative ways to recruit new students. To help, explore these ten great ways to increase membership.