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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.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Reduce, Reuse or Recycle - Hotel Renovations

Sep 29, 2025

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.

Career Insights

DECA Direct Magazine: Tech Trends

Nov 20, 2017

This issue features articles from colleges and companies exploring the topic of virtual reality technology and how it's changing the way business is done, jobs are created and consumers are shopping.

Compete

5 Ways to Spice Up Your Competition Prep Routine

Oct 26, 2017

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.

Leadership

DECA Direct Magazine: Limitless

Sep 3, 2017

This issue features an the #Limitless Year Quiz that you can take to find a perfectly tailored list of DECA conferences, programs, challenges and activities you can participate in this year that relate to your own career interest.

DECA News

Collegiate DECA's 2016-2017 Recognition Award Winners

Apr 5, 2017

Congratulations to these Collegiate DECA members for owning their futures this year!

DECA News

Collegiate DECA 2016-2017 Leadership Passport Program Recipients

Apr 5, 2017

Congratulations to these chapters and members for all their hard work! Way to #OwnYourFuture!

DECA News

Collegiate DECA Scholarship Recipients 2016-2017

Mar 20, 2017

Collegiate DECA scholarship recipients present at the 2017 #CDECAICDC in will be recognized on stage.

Compete

3 Quick Tips to Nail Your DECA Role-Play

Feb 9, 2017

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.

Compete

Collegiate DECA Competition Tips from the Pros

Jan 18, 2017

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.

Compete

First Time Competitors Survival Guide

Jan 5, 2017

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.

Compete

3 Tips to Consider for Your Written Event Project

Jan 3, 2017

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.

Compete

6 Easy Ways to Engage Your Audience for a Better Presentation

Oct 21, 2016

If you’ve ever been nervous in front of an audience, you’ll know how much of a difference it makes when you can get the crowd engaged right from the start.

Chapter Strategy

10 Ways to Put the Unity in Your CommUNITY Service Campaign

Sep 30, 2016

Community service is an amazing experience that allows us to leave our mark on the world, but getting other high school students involved can sometimes be difficult. Here's how to make it happen!