You’ve spent countless hours preparing for your Association Career Development Conference, and now that the conference lights have dimmed and awards have been handed out, you’re thinking, “Now what?”
The eternal question sits in the mind of every DECA member: What should you do between your association conference and ICDC? The truth is, this in-between period holds more to do than you might think!
ICDC Competitors
If you’ve qualified for ICDC, this is the time to refine and elevate your preparation! ICDC exams are typically more comprehensive, and many competitors experience a drop in scores compared to their scores at their association conference. Establishing a consistent study routine is essential! Focus on reviewing performance indicators, revisiting challenging concepts and strengthening areas where you struggled previously.
Prepared event competitors should dedicate significant time to practicing their presentations. Run through your presentation repeatedly, experiment with delivery styles and look for opportunities to make your project more engaging or innovative. Reflect on your judging experience at your association conference, what feedback stood out and where can you improve? Minor adjustments made now can translate into significant gains later!
For role-play competitors, repetition and adaptability are key to improving. Practice in front of different audiences such as advisors, friends, family or teammates, and ask for honest, constructive feedback. Study the performance indicators for your event closely and prepare real-world examples you can integrate naturally into your roleplays. Expanding your professional vocabulary and mastering event-specific terminology can also help you appear more confident and polished during competition.
Chapter Officers
Chapter leaders play a critical role during this period, especially in supporting members preparing for ICDC. One of the most impactful focuses is fundraising. Explore creative ways to reduce the cost of attending ICDC, such as hosting dine-and-share events, selling chapter merchandise or organizing community-based fundraising initiatives.
Also consider organizing practice sessions or mock competitions for your chapter. Bringing in local professionals or alumni to serve as judges can provide valuable feedback and simulate real-world competition. Sharing your own experiences and lessons learned from competing can also help newer members feel more prepared and supported.
Association Officers
Association officers have the opportunity to keep the broader membership energized and engaged. Posting regular competition preparation tips, such as weekly exam questions or performance indicator breakdowns, can help members stay focused. Creating short videos that explain different events or offer strategic advice can make preparation more accessible and engaging.
Social media can also be a powerful tool for building excitement leading up to ICDC. Highlight member achievements, showcase preparation strategies and create content that reinforces the sense of community and momentum across your association.
Members Continuing Their DECA Journey
Even if you are not attending ICDC this year, this period still offers valuable growth opportunities. Use this time to reflect on your competition experience and identify areas for improvement. Consider exploring new events for next year, developing new leadership skills, mentoring younger members or contributing to chapter initiatives that support those advancing to ICDC.
Your journey or growth in DECA doesn’t stop or even pause after your association conference; it simply shifts direction. This unique time offers a chance to refine skills, strengthen connections and build excitement for what comes next. How you use this time can shape not only your upcoming ICDC experience but also your long-term growth within DECA!
