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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.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Staff Communication

Sep 2, 2024

Step into the role of a front desk employee at Grand Grocery Distribution Center, a large distribution center for a regional grocery store. The manager asked you to communicate a change in policy to all staff.

Leadership

How to Build Cross-functional Teams Across Tech, Digital and Marketing

Sep 1, 2024

In this article, dive into the key themes on integration and collaboration that emerged during a panel discussion hosted at NRF Nexus 2024 with professionals from BJ’s Wholesale Club, REI and Tractor Supply Company.

Chapter Strategy

Making Money for Your Chapter: Creative Ways College Students Are Fundraising

Sep 1, 2024

Fundraising is crucial for college student organizations to fund trips, community projects and other yearly initiatives. Successful chapters often use a combination of strategies to meet their financial goals.

Conferences

Excitement for ENGAGE

Sep 1, 2024

Whether you are a first-time member or returning, the ENGAGE conference is a perfect place to interact with the Collegiate DECA community. Learn about what ENGAGE is and why you should attend this year in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Chapter Strategy

Maintaining Connections with Advisors and Professors

Sep 1, 2024

Maintaining connections with advisors and professors is vital for the success of your chapter. With the school year just starting, now is the perfect time for your leadership team to network.

Chapter Strategy

Let’s Talk About the Updated Collegiate DECA Leadership Passport Program

Aug 30, 2024

This year’s Collegiate DECA Leadership Passport has been updated with new tasks, including removing passport levels and more. Get a look at what the new passports have to offer our members for the 2024-2025 membership year.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Privacy Policy Ultra-Exclusive or Zero Attention

Aug 26, 2024

Step into the role of the general manager of Reserved, a new independent hotel property in a metropolitan area. The owner wants you to explain how implementing a privacy policy could help or hinder the property’s marketing and customer appeal.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Promoting a Private Label Skincare Line

Aug 19, 2024

Step into the role of the marketing communications manager for Dollar House, a discount variety store chain with over 5,000 locations. The director of marketing wants you to create a digital marketing campaign announcing the company’s private label skin care line.

Spotlights

DECA Is For All

Aug 13, 2024

If you fall into a non-business category, where your goal is to pursue a major in STEM or the arts or anything else, don’t be too quick to write DECA off as something that’s not for you.

Spotlights

Leveraging Social Media Trends in Marketing: The Case of Kamala Harris' "Brat" Summer and Charli XCX

Aug 13, 2024

Social media trends show how marketers can harness viral content to create culturally resonant campaigns that blur the lines between politics, pop culture and business, driving deeper engagement and brand relevance.

Spotlights

The New Wave of Marketing in Real Estate

Aug 13, 2024

The real estate industry is transforming significantly as technology reshapes how properties are marketed and sold. One of the most groundbreaking changes is the rise of virtual reality (VR) tours.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Fighting a Dupe

Aug 12, 2024

Step into the role of the owner of Heart Rate, an affordable brand of athletic wear. Your business partner wants you to determine whether or not to offer a new product as a “dupe” of a more expensive luxury brand.