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Pitch Decks: Your Questions Answered
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.

Helping Your DECA Members Avoid Penalty Points: A Guide for Advisors
As DECA advisors, one of our crucial roles is helping student members navigate the technical requirements of written events. Use this article to guide your student members in avoiding common penalty point deductions.

In the Judge's Mind: What Makes You Stand Out in Your DECA Role-play
Go beyond the official rubric to reveal the unwritten expectations of role-play judges to hear from several experienced judges about the details that separate the solid role-plays from the unforgettable ones.

Advisor Best Practice Spotlight of the Week: Katrina McDowell
Discover how High Plains Technology Center advisor Katrina McDowell is engaging members in marketing management through the Woodward community.

Congratulations to the 2025 Competition University Chapter Climb Challenge Winners
Competition University and DECA Inc. are thrilled to announce the top three teams of the 2025 Competition University Chapter Climb Challenge!

The DECA Drop Episode 2: Personal Branding & Networking
Your 2025–2026 Executive Officer Team saw how podcasts were taking off and wanted to give DECA members the same kind of experience: a place to pick up tips, hear updates and get to know our team!

Case Study of the Week: Marketing a Cruise of the World
Step into the role of the marketing manager for Lantern Cruises, the largest cruise line brand by revenue. The director of marketing wants you to develop a marketing plan that will sell spots on the Platinum World Tour cruise.

Getting Into the Giving Season
From food drives, service events, or acts of kindness within their own schools, members have the opportunity to use this time of year to positively impact their community while living out DECA's mission of leadership and service.

The Power of Ethical Consumerism: How Gen Z Is Redefining Brand Loyalty
For decades, businesses have relied on catchy slogans, sleek packaging and competitive prices to capture the hearts of consumers. But for Gen Z, such aesthetics aren’t enough to win long-lasting faithfulness.

Making Connections Count: Networking Tips for Power Trip and Beyond
Networking can open doors to new friendships, leadership opportunities and future career prospects. Here are a few ways to make those conversations count this fall.

Power Up Your Experience in Arlington, VA
Whether you're from Arlington, TX, Arlington Heights, IL, or anywhere in between, here are seven ways you can make your mark in Arlington, Virginia, at the Ultimate DECA Power Trip.

Ready, Set, Go The Extra: #DECAMonth 2025 is Here
With so much happening, there is no shortage of ways to show your DECA pride during DECA Month. Here's how to get involved by participating in the #DECAMonth Social Media Challenge!

Case Study of the Week: Can Partnering Benefit Both Corporate Brands?
Step into the role of the vice president of merchandising and the director of channel management for Bright Star Foods, the nation’s largest supermarket chain. You will be meeting with the merchandising director for Care Plus Drug Stores to discuss a new partnership endeavor and explain the benefits.

Hospitality Is for Everyone
Are you ready to launch your hospitality career? From entry-level positions to advancement opportunities, the American Hotel and Lodging Foundation’s workforce development programs, scholarship initiatives and educational resources elevate and empower the next generation of hospitality leaders.

Budgeting: Setting Yourself Up for Financial Success
For youth and young adults who are just starting to embark on a lifetime of important financial decisions, one of the most foundational financial concepts to learn about is budgeting. Find out how you can create your personal budget and build a financial plan for success.

Case Study of the Week: Creating a Bereavement Policy
Step into the role of director of human resources at Association of Vision Health, a nonprofit organization that educates and works for policies regarding eye sight and vision issues. The organization employs thirty full-time employees and five part-time employees at its headquarters office.

Success Books That Change You
Summer break is a great time for self-reflection and working to become a better leader as you continue your leadership journey! Here are a few book suggestions about changing your perspective.

DECA and Piper Sandler Complete 45th Semi-Annual Survey
DECA and Piper Sandler completed the 45th semi-annual Taking Stock With Teens® survey. This survey highlights discretionary spending trends and brand preferences from more than 5,600 teens across the U.S. with an average age of 16.2 years.

Looking Back on Your Legacy
Many of us are reflecting on a successful year serving as a DECA leader, but how do you define that success? Looking back on and defining your legacy allows you to reminisce over the great memories and hard work you accomplished and find new ways to improve your leadership style.

Where to Start During Tax Season
Earned wages, tracking hours and spending summers lifeguarding at the pool come with the inevitable: taxes. Interview with Steve Brown, CPA and Founder of Brown and Maguire CPAs, PLLC., reveals the key things to know as you file.

Case Study of the Week: Encouraging Guests to Return and Spend More Money
Step into the role of sales manager at Covington Hotel – Blossom City, a full-service hotel located in a city of 100,000 people. The general manager of the property wants you to create a targeted email promotion that will attract past profitable customers.

Pursue Your Profession
If you’re graduating and searching for what’s next, consider a career in residential property management. The RPM industry is hiring talented, creative and passionate people to help provide homes and create communities for 44 million Americans.

Understanding Credit Cards
Getting a credit card can seem magical—you can buy the things you want without needing cash. But if you don’t manage them correctly, credit cards can make your money disappear.

Case Study of the Week: Funding Options for Small Businesses
Step into the role of the owner of Mobile Jewels, an online company that sells accessories for mobile phones. You were able to start the company with your savings and have used it for purchasing supplies, tools, packaging, and a lease on a small workspace.
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Take Your Leadership Passport to the Next Level
Congratulations! You survived the first semester of this academic year. Now, it's time to plan for your next semester and the rest of your Collegiate DECA experience this year.

DECA Direct Magazine: Marketing Trends
The world of marketing is diverse and ever-changing. Keep up with the latest industry trends to stay at the top of your game, learn to market your chapter like a pro and get a behind-the-scenes look at careers in this exciting field.

6 Things to Start Doing Now to Land Your Marketing "Dream Job"
Do you have your sights set on a dream job in marketing? Read on for some must-do and next level actions you can take to build your network, skills and brand and start making your dream job a reality.

Marketing Your Chapter in the New Year
Discover tips to market your Collegiate DECA chapter and recruit new members in the second semester.

Maximize Your Chapter's Marketing with New Audiences
Check out these three under-tapped audiences that you should be targeting with your chapter’s marketing and some key ways to reach them.

The Best Marketing Career for Your Personality Type
Marketing careers are not one-size-fits-all, and the variety of career paths in marketing continues to grow each year. Read on to learn more about a few top marketing specialties and which might be best for your unique personality!

The Art of Storytelling
Whether we are competing, fundraising, socializing, serving or leading we are constantly telling a story—our DECA story. So, why not make your story the best it can be?!

Behind the Headlines with a P&G Communications Executive
Procter & Gamble Chief Communications Officer Damon Jones sits down with NRF Foundation All Access for “20 Questions.”

Announcing the 2020 Intuit Innovation Challenge Winners
The Intuit Innovation Challenge is a hands-on design thinking project, daring students around the globe to innovate for impact to help reverse the effect of global warming.

Top 10 Marketing Trends to Watch for in 2021
Looking for the latest trends and buzzwords to incorporate into your next role-play? DECA’s Competitive Events Specialist shares a look at what to expect in the new year.

Association Office: Is It Right for You?
Are you passionate about DECA and its members? Do you have what it takes to lead others? Then maybe you should consider running for an association office. Keep reading to find out whether or not this position is the right fit for you and what you can expect from it!

The Insider's Guide to Marketing Your SBE
If you want to attract new customers while maintaining a loyal base, you need to utilize cutting-edge techniques for your school-based enterprise. Here are some of our favorites shared by DECA advisors across the globe.
