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Exploring Phoenix During ELS
With its vibrant downtown, warm weather and inspiring atmosphere, Phoenix is the perfect backdrop for leadership growth and unforgettable memories at ELS. Looking to make the most out of your time? Check out these spots before your departure!

Take Off with Travel Marketing
Not only is summer a time of increasing temperatures, but it's also a time of increased travel. Here are three marketing techniques used within the travel and tourism industry for you to consider during summer travel.

Making the Most of Your Summer with DECA
We’re well into summer, but your DECA journey doesn’t have to hit pause just because school is out. Whether you’re looking to build your resume, strengthen your leadership skills or stay connected with the DECA community, there are countless ways to make this summer one to remember!

The Summer of DECA Quest
Summer of DECA is ready for takeoff! This digital scavenger hunt is packed with exciting missions and will be updated weekly throughout the summer. From catching sunsets to mapping out your 2025-2026 DECA goals, there's an adventure waiting for everyone.

Pitch Decks: Your Questions Answered
New for the 2025-26 school year, six competitive events will replace the previously required 10-page written paper with a 20-slide pitch deck. Check out this article for answers to questions about the change to Pitch Decks.

2025 Advisor Professional Learning Virtual Conference Keynote Speaker & Sessions
DECA is excited to share a look at the 2025 Advisor Professional Learning Virtual Conference keynote speaker and sessions. Join us on July 23-24 for two days filled with content focusing on instructional content that connects DECA to the classroom.

Download the 2025-2026 DECA Guide
The DECA Guide provides all the information you need to have a successful year. Explore our learning programs, check out this year’s calendar, access competitive event guidelines and so much more!

DECA Hosts Luminary Program Powered by Adobe in San Francisco
This elite professional development experience brings together distinguished DECA chapter advisors from across the DECA network to deepen their leadership, instructional, and digital skills in a unique “train-the-trainer” format.

How your DECA Judge Thinks like a Shark Tank Investor
DECA judges use mental shortcuts just like investors. Learn how to craft your pitch to match their mindset and make your project more memorable.

From FOMO to Finalist: How to Bounce Back After ICDC
Competing in DECA is an opportunity that shapes young business leaders in a multitude of ways. So whether you placed this year or not, your DECA journey is far from over. Set the precedent for a new year, one filled with growth, confidence and achievement.

Recharge, Reassess and Restore: Your Chapter’s Guide to a Successful Summer
DECA doesn’t have to stop just because school is out. As a leader, take advantage of the summer months to prepare your chapter best to Go The Extra in the fall with three key tips: recharge, reassess and restore.

Navigating the Summer Before College
The summer before college is a unique and often overlooked chapter in the story of your academic journey. It’s a season that offers more than rest – it’s an opportunity to intentionally prepare, reflect and reset.

DECA Talks: The Lying King
Power. Privilege. Race. Identity. Gender. Sexual Orientation. Class. Illuminating our various complexities as individuals, we can recognize ways that we can use our privileges individually and collectively – but only if we are honest and open with ourselves.

DECA Talks: The Journey from Independence to Guidance
Throughout my life, I have turned to advisors, counselors, coaches and friends/family to seek opportunities to learn and develop in my professional life. This talk will discuss the teachings I’ve learned independently and from the guidance of others.

DECA Talks: Taking Risks with Confidence & Conviction
In life, we are often faced with decisions that require us to take some sort of risk, whether it’s where to take your next job, which schools to apply to, where to move to, etc. In this talk, we’ll explore how to determine if a risk is worth taking and how you can set yourself up for the highest chance of success.

DECA Talks: The GRIT It Takes to Seek Success
The secret to outstanding achievement is not talent or privilege, but grit: a special blend of passion and persistence for long-term goals.

DECA Talks: Just Say Yes
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.

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

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

How Studying Abroad Can Help You Become an Entrepreneur
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.

2019 DECA Pumpkin Contest Winners
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!

DECA Direct Magazine: Here We Go
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!

Getting Started with Prepared Events
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.

Behind the Scenes at Disney World
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.