All Recent Articles
Filter by division:

Case Study of the Week: Reduce, Reuse or Recycle - Hotel Renovations
Step into the role of the general manager of Lilac Inn, an independent hotel property in a city of 30,000 people. The owner wants you to identify waste redirection opportunities that could lead to a better brand image.

The Nitro Bar: A Coffee Cart turned Famous $4.5M Brand
In honor of National Coffee Day, here’s a Rhode Island success story that shows how smart marketing can transform a business from a coffee cart to a viral sensation.

Top 10 Test Taking Tips for the Digital SAT
If you’re planning to take the digital SAT, the good news is there are no secrets—the SAT isn’t out to trick you. Here are the top 10 test-taking tips from College Board, the makers of the SAT

Advisor Best Practice Spotlight of the Week: Eric Wagner
DECA Advisor Eric Wagner is giving his students more than classroom lessons—he’s providing real-world financial and leadership experiences through the chapter’s student-run credit union.

Mixing It Up: The Secret Recipe to SBE Success
It's important to curate the perfect recipe for your school’s SBE and come up with ingredients to make it the best experience for your students. Here are three ingredients for making your SBE successful!

Unlocking Recruitment Success: Insights from 4 Chapter Leaders
Attracting new and recurring members is a process that requires planning, collaboration and perseverance. Here are 4 chapter leaders’ insights on how to succeed at DECA recruitment.

DECA Duck Takes Flight at Smithville High School
Smithville High School’s DECA chapter has a new mascot, DECA Duck. What started as just a blue rubber ducky idea has become a school spirit sensation at DECA events and recruiting activities.

IBM SkillsBuild to Launch 8-Part Webinar Series on AI for Educators
Starting September 25th, IBM SkillsBuild is launching an incredible 8-part webinar series designed specifically for educators ready to be enabled and become force multipliers.

Major Keys: Unlocking College Success with a DECA Mindset
Success doesn’t come from luck; it comes from preparation, strategy, mindset and staying true to yourself. For many, college feels like the biggest stage of their life. But in reality, it’s actually not all that different from being a DECA member.

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.

This Week in Business: What High School Students Should Know
Business is constantly evolving. Keeping up with these changes is vital for DECA competitors and high school students and can also be the difference between competing in a role-play and winning one.

The DECA Drop Premieres Episode 1: All Things DECA!
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!

Explore Holiday Trends: Consumers Shop Sooner, Spend More
The National Retail Federation says this holiday season will have consumers shopping sooner and spending more – emphasizing the deep impact that retail has on the overall economy and highlighting the career opportunities in the industry.

Case Study of the Week: Generational Marketing at Pottery Place
You are the owner of the small business Pottery Palace. Since the business opened one year ago, you have noticed that the majority of customers are females, age 25-55 years old. While you appreciate your customers, you feel that Pottery Palace is missing out on the large population of senior citizens in the area.

Case Study of the Week: A National Chain Makes Plans for a Rural Location
You are to assume the role of district operations manager for Go-Mart. The district vice president has asked you to determine which brand of Go-Mart retail store is best for a new rural location.

How to Craft a Stand-Out Cover Letter
A cover letter is an appetizer before the main course—your resume. Like any good appetizer, it gets you excited for what is coming next!

4 Essentials for Planning Your Future Career
Regardless of what field you want to pursue a career in, there are four essential elements that need to be part of your plan.

How to Land a Dream Career in the Apartment Industry
Don't roll the dice when it comes to discovering a dynamic and rewarding career! Once considered a best-kept career secret, DECA has helped increase awareness and promote the apartment industry as one that offers a “career of choice”, not of chance.

Minnesota DECA Is Back 2 Business
Minnesota DECA is "Back 2 Business" as they kicked off their first in-person conference at the beginning of November.

Collaborating with Other Chapters
Learning to collaborate with others is a fundamental skill that is useful in both DECA and the real world. So why not start collaborating with other chapters? By partnering with others, chapters can increase their members' skills, share best practices and better prepare for competition.

Case Study of the Week: Financial Planning for the Future
You are to assume the role of a financial counselor at Ready Financial Planning, a company that provides financial services for members of the community. A client has asked for your help in determining how to best act now to secure a financially sound future.

Dress for Success: Interviewing 101
Do your members know how to make a great first impression at a job interview? Use this presentation and guided narration from Men's Wearhouse in your classroom

Top 5 Tips to Prepare for Case Studies
Are you looking for ways to maximize this year’s competition season? Follow these five tips to learn how you can make this year’s competition your best one yet!

Case Study of the Week: Online Reviews to Boost a Ghost Tour
You are to assume the role of the owner of Gullet City Ghost Tours, a walking tour for residents and tourists visiting Gullet City. Your business partner wants you to determine how the business can solicit online reviews from customers for use in marketing.