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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.
Adobe and DECA Partner to Elevate Integrated Marketing Campaign Instruction
This professional-grade roadmap was built with input from Adobe employees specializing in campaign strategy and design, agency management and marketing technology to ensure a real-world, professional approach.
How to Win Roleplays: The Art of Being Performative
Winning a DECA role-play is not always about who knows the most; it’s about who acts like they do. Welcome to the art of being performative – not in the “acting fake” sense, but in how you bring your ideas to life.
How to Prepare for District Competitions Like a Pro
Districts are your first chance to showcase your skills, gain feedback and set the tone for the rest of the competitive season. Check out these tips to help you get ready to shine.
Get Ready for Round One of the DECA Virtual Business Challenge
You won't want to miss the annual DECA Virtual Business Challenge! DECA VBC is an official competitive event free to high school members. Participate and you could earn a trip to ICDC and a share of over $20,000 in scholarship money.
Would Taylor Swift’s Marketing Score Well on a DECA Rubric?
Taylor Swift has clearly conquered the music industry, but what if she stepped into the world of DECA competition? Let’s look at how she would perform in each section of the Principles of Marketing Event.
Navigating DECA's Competitive Events Page
Choosing the right event can be overwhelming. Check out this directional guide on how to use the DECA Competitive Events page to assist you in making your decision!
2025-2026 District-Level Competitive Event Instructional Areas Announced
Get ready for competition season! Each year DECA provides the primary instructional area(s) assessed in each of the district-level scenarios to help advisors and members prepare for district competitions more effectively.
Finding Your Fit: How to Select Your DECA Competitive Event
DECA’s competitive events program is one of the most exciting parts of being a member. However, with so many options, how do you find your fit? Check out these tips on how to choose your competitive event:
Go Virtual: A Guide to DECA's Online Events
The best part about DECA's online events? You don’t need a stage or a spotlight. With just your computer, you can take on some of DECA’s most dynamic challenges, test your business knowledge and even earn the chance to compete internationally.
Collegiate DECA Finance Events: Everything You Need to Know
It’s the start of a new semester and for many, this time of year signals the beginning of competition season! If you’ve ever thought of competing in a finance event, read on for some helpful tips and tricks to ensure success!
Getting Started with Prepared Events
For those of you that have competed in DECA’s prepared events, you know that writing a quality paper, coupled with delivering a presentation, can be hard and tedious work.
4 Things You Must Remember While Public Speaking
Did you know that 4 out of 5 people have a fear of public speaking? If you’re one of them, then keep reading because public speaking is such an important part of DECA.
3 Written Event Competition Tips to Consider
As the competition season heats up, take the opportunity to review the written event that you’ve worked so hard on. Make sure it’s the absolute best it can be before it reaches the judge and it’s your turn to deliver a knockout presentation!
The Ultimate Written Event Guide
Before serving as the 2018-2019 High School Division President, he was an international finalist, earning second place in the International Business Plan at ICDC in Anaheim. Andrew Weatherman took home DECA glass and now he’s taking the time to share his insider secrets with you.
5 Things to Help You Prep for Your Prepared Event
Association conferences are right around the corner for DECA members everywhere, and while some members are not too worried about getting ready, others may have already started stressing out.
Top Competition Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make
Let’s face it, DECA has a lot to offer, but competition is what most DECA members look forward to. Dedicated DECA members will start studying and practicing for their competitive event months in advance.
5 Ways to Spice Up Your Competition Prep Routine
The quest for DECA glass is long and daunting, and sometimes it can get pretty tedious. Here are some ideas to help spice up your normal study routine.
3 Quick Tips to Nail Your DECA Role-Play
With some competitions in full swing and many coming up in a month or less, many competitors are practicing and preparing for their role-play. Here are some pointers to brush up on that will help you nail your time in front of a judge.
Collegiate DECA Competition Tips from the Pros
Everybody is getting excited for their local competitions and the International Career Development Conference in April. It’s also the time that people start asking what they need to do to be successful in the upcoming competitions, so I’ve gathered some tips from the pros.
First Time Competitors Survival Guide
Go and grab your DECA blazer and your nicest tie, because the competition season is upon us! Here’s a three-step guide to get you through your first competitive conference.
3 Tips to Consider for Your Written Event Project
Although written events are long and hard to prepare for, the hard work definitely pays off in the end! Here are some tips to ace your written event in anticipation of #DECAICDC.
