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Leadership

The Business of Basketball: NBA Lessons for DECA Leaders

Oct 1, 2025

With a global reach and billions in revenue, the NBA is a business powerhouse. For people involved in DECA, there’s real value in understanding how the world of the NBA and basketball highly connects to the world of business.

Career Insights

Pumpkin Spice, Pumpkin Price: How Fall Flavors Fuel the Economy

Oct 1, 2025

Pumpkin spice is a cultural phenomenon generating millions. For DECA members, it’s a reminder that creativity, consumer psychology and timing can turn a small idea into a spice-tacular business case.

Compete

How to Prepare for District Competitions Like a Pro

Oct 1, 2025

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.

Chapter Strategy

How Can You #ThankAPrincipal This Month?

Oct 1, 2025

October is National Principals Month, and we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the amazing principals who lead our schools. Check out ideas and resources you can use to #ThankAPrincipal this month.

Conferences

Lights, Leadership and Lifelong Memories: What to Expect at The Ultimate DECA Power Trip

Oct 1, 2025

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your competitive edge, grow as a leader or connect with members nationwide, Power Trip has something for everyone. Let’s dive into what this conference has to offer!

Chapter Strategy

Fall-ing into Fundraising: Ideas to Raise Money for Your DECA Chapter this Fall

Oct 1, 2025

By tapping into the energy of autumn, you can raise funds while building community spirit and strengthening your chapter! Here are five ideas to get you started.

Chapter Strategy

Power Up Your Chapter: A Guide to DECA’s Chapter Campaigns

Oct 1, 2025

From connecting with the community to rallying school spirit, chapter campaigns are one of the most powerful ways DECA members can make an impact. DECA offers five campaigns, so let’s dive into which campaign may be the best fit.

Career Insights

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice: How Companies Use the Fall Season to Get Ahead

Oct 1, 2025

Seasonal marketing—whether in quick-service restaurants, retail or even your local grocery store—is a powerful strategy that celebrates the season and showcases entrepreneurial creativity.

Chapter Strategy

Baking Up Success: How Two DECA Chapters Use Cookies to Power Their SBEs

Sep 30, 2025

Two DECA chapters - Frankfort DECA and Broad Run DECA - are finding creative ways to use Otis Spunkmeyer cookies as more than just a sweet snack but also thriving school-based enterprises.

Compete

Get Ready for Round One of the DECA Virtual Business Challenge

Sep 30, 2025

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.

College Success

History Has Its Eyes on You: How to Make Your College Essay Stand Out

Sep 30, 2025

While Hamilton wrote 51 essays to defend the Constitution, we only have to write one for college. One simple yet weighted essay can redirect our lives. So here are three factors to consider as you brainstorm your college essay topic.

Chapter Strategy

Shop 'Till You Drop: Ways to Celebrate SBE Week At Your School

Sep 29, 2025

2025 DECA SBE Week is here, and we couldn't be more excited! Here are some ways to celebrate with your school-based enterprise.

Leadership

DECA Talks: Just Say Yes

Dec 11, 2019

Ever felt torn when presented with a cool new opportunity? Learn how choosing to say “yes” can lead to easier decision-making in the future…and some cool opportunities along the way.

Conferences

Look Back on Collegiate DECA ENGAGE in Chicago

Nov 26, 2019

Nearly 300 Collegiate DECA members from 17 associations attended the 2019 ENGAGE Conference in Chicago, IL on November 21-23, 2019.

Career Insights

DECA Direct Magazine: Entrepreneurship

Nov 25, 2019

The Entrepreneurship Issue features tips, resources and how-to guides to help kickstart your next entrepreneurial endeavor.

College Success

How Studying Abroad Can Help You Become an Entrepreneur

Nov 17, 2019

Studying abroad has many benefits, teaches you life skills and equips you with qualities that can be found in entrepreneurs. Here are just a few of the things you can learn from studying abroad that will help with your future career aspirations.

DECA News

2019 DECA Pumpkin Contest Winners

Nov 5, 2019

The annual DECA Pumpkin Contest is always a great time for members and advisors to show off their creativity and DECA pride. This year did not disappoint!

Chapter Strategy

DECA Direct Magazine: Here We Go

Oct 8, 2019

The Back to School issue features tips on selecting your competitive event, a guide to setting goals for the upcoming year and everything you need to get started this year in DECA!

Compete

Getting Started with Prepared Events

Oct 2, 2019

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.

Career Insights

Behind the Scenes at Disney World

Sep 30, 2019

This summer, DECA's executive officer team got a chance to peek behind the curtain (and underground) to see what makes Walt Disney World truly magical. Officers took part in training sessions through the Disney College Program, exploring leadership and culture through the Disney lens.

Chapter Strategy

#Goals for Your Year

Sep 30, 2019

Before jumping into your goals for the year, it’s important to start with that passion. Why is DECA important? What can DECA do for the students in your school and your community? In a few sentences, explain your vision for your DECA chapter. If it was everything that it could be, what would it be? Use this vision as a guide as you are setting goals for your chapter.

Chapter Strategy

Your Chapter's Best Year Yet

Sep 30, 2019

No matter your goals for the year, membership is the foundation of every DECA chapter. It’s important to plan ahead to reach potential new members and find innovative ways to engage your current members as well. With more than 10 years of DECA experience under their belts, Collegiate DECA Executive Officers Lindsay Joyner and Max May share their secrets to successfully growing chapter membership.

Compete

4 Things You Must Remember While Public Speaking

Sep 3, 2019

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.

DECA News

Collegiate DECA 2018-2019 Stock Market Game Session 2 Top Competitors

May 5, 2019

An acclaimed program from the SIFMA Foundation, the Collegiate DECA Stock Market Game™ is an online simulation that challenges teams with building and managing a $100,000 virtual investment portfolio of stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Participants manage all aspects of the portfolio including asset selection, buying and selling.