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Spotlights

Leading the Future: Celebrating Women in DECA for Women’s History Month

Mar 1, 2026

Within DECA, celebrating women feels especially meaningful. Walk into any chapter meeting or conference, and you will see young women stepping forward as competitors, innovators, mentors and leaders.

Conferences

Beyond Competition: The DECA ICDC Impact

Mar 1, 2026

When members think of ICDC, competition is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But DECA ICDC is an experience that shapes leaders long after the competition ends.

Chapter Strategy

Turning Ambition into Action: Smart Ways to Fundraise for ICDC

Mar 1, 2026

From conference registration to flights and hotel stays, attending ICDC requires strategic financial planning. The good news? With creativity, organization and teamwork, fundraising can be just as empowering as competing.

DECA News

Congratulations to the 2025-26 CEWD Power Perks Challenge Winners

Feb 26, 2026

CEWD and DECA are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025-26 Power Perks Challenge!

DECA News

Congratulations to the 2025-26 IIA Community Impact Challenge Winners

Feb 26, 2026

Infinity Insurance Agency (IIA) and DECA are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025-26 Community Impact Challenge!

Conferences

Glowing and Growing: How the Season of Spring Can Help You Bloom at ICDC

Feb 25, 2026

Just as flowers need preparation before they bloom, competitors need intentional planning to truly shine on the international stage. This spring, focus on glowing and growing so you can bloom at ICDC.

Chapter Strategy

How CTE Shapes the Workforce of Tomorrow

Feb 25, 2026

CTE empowers students to explore careers and interests. By taking CTE classes, students now have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and graduate with academic and real-world knowledge, preparing the future workforce.

Spotlights

Celebrating Black Innovators During Black History Month

Feb 24, 2026

As Black History Month comes to a close, the celebration doesn’t have to. Learn more about influential inventors and entrepreneurs who have made daily life easier for consumers in the current market.

Chapter Strategy

The DECA Drop Episode 4: Go the Extra at Your Association Conference

Feb 24, 2026

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!

Compete

Overcoming Competition Day Nerves

Feb 24, 2026

For most DECA students, the most challenging part of a role-play isn’t the prompt; it's the nerves in a competitive environment. Learn about simple mindset fixes that can help increase confidence and boost scoring results.

Chapter Strategy

Discovering DECA Beyond Graduation

Feb 24, 2026

For four years, DECA opened new doors for us. As seniors, we assume graduation closes the door on them. But what if it hands us a new key? DECA doesn’t have to end at graduation, especially within national and association opportunities.

DECA News

Congratulations to the 2025-26 NASPO Strategic School Procurement Challenge Winners

Feb 24, 2026

NASPO and DECA are thrilled to announce the winners of the Strategic School Procurement Challenge!

Leadership

Video Call Tips and Tricks

Sep 10, 2020

Practically overnight, video calls have become a new societal norm. This guide will provide you with a few tips and useful tricks to help improve your online learning or telecommuting experience.

Leadership

A Quick Guide to Understanding Servant Leadership

Sep 8, 2020

The concept of leadership has been around since the days of Aristotle and Plato and has evolved countless times throughout the centuries. But in 1970, a new theory emerged. Developed by Robert Greenleaf, servant leadership is the idea that empowered leaders serve their followers and to enable them to live and work to their full potential.

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.

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.