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Chapter Strategy

The Next Big Thing Classroom Contest Winners

Sep 25, 2026

We asked DECA advisors to give us a behind-the-scenes look at how their chapters are kicking off the year with the Next Big Thing materials, and you delivered!

Chapter Strategy

Budget It. Post It. Win It.

Sep 25, 2026

Jumpstart student participation in the Social Media Marketing Challenge, which focuses on target market strategy and ad budget allocation across platforms.

DECA News

Celebrating 10 Years of Partnership with IE University

Sep 25, 2026

DECA is proud to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its partnership with IE University - a decade of empowering emerging leaders to think globally, embrace innovation and pursue their ambitions.

Chapter Strategy

Give Students a Business They Can Actually Run

Sep 24, 2026

Download a real hands-on entrepreneurship experience for students and a free lesson plan to go with it from DECA's partner, Spirit Box.

Career Insights

Join the Executive Officer Finance Career Exploration Webinar

Sep 24, 2026

Join your DECA Executive Officer team on October 13, 2026, at 7 PM EST for the first career exploration panel of the year!

Partners

Beyond the Storefront: Explore the Future of Retail, Marketing & Business

Sep 23, 2026

DECA advisors - apply now for an all-expense-paid trip to experience NRF NXT, NRF Foundation Honors and NRF Retail's Big Show in New York City.

Compete

Get Ready for Round One of the 2026 DECA Virtual Business Challenge

Sep 23, 2026

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.

Conferences

DECA Announces Clint Pulver as #DECAPowerTrip Opening Session Speaker

Sep 22, 2026

Clint Pulver is an Emmy Award Winner, Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker, Author, ProDrummer, Helicopter Pilot, Speaker Coach, and Workforce Expert.

Career Insights

The Business of Back to School

Sep 22, 2026

Every August and September, over 54.4 million students attend school in the United States alone. While it can be an opportunity to make friends, learn new things, or simply have another reason not to want to wake up, it’s all one big thing in the eyes of businesses: a huge opportunity to make money.

Case Study of the Week

Can Rapidly Scaling Work?

Sep 21, 2026

Assume the role of an owner of MIDTOWN MOBILE MECHANIC, a small, independently owned mobile auto repair service located in a mid-sized college town.

Conferences

Top 7 Experiences Worth Adding to Your DECA Bucket List

Sep 21, 2026

DECA goes beyond conferences and competitive events. From meeting people across the country to gaining real-world experience, there are countless ways to make the most out of your DECA experience. Whether you are a first-year member or a seasoned competitor, add these 7 things to your DECA bucket list!

Chapter Strategy

How to Get Hype at Chapter Meetings

Sep 21, 2026

The fun of DECA doesn’t just start at conferences.It begins at the very first chapter meeting. If you’re a chapter officer, this is your chance to make the best first impression on prospective members. Show that DECA isn’t just blazers and talk.

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.