The 2025-2026 DECA Chapter Campaigns are here to help you GO THE EXTRA! Participating in the chapter campaigns encourages DECA members to engage with their community and grow membership.
Each campaign has its own criteria and requirements outlined in the Chapter Campaign Guidebook. This is a great tool for planning campaign activities for the school year. The campaigns feature five categories, which include the Membership, Promotional, Community Service, Innovations + Entrepreneurship and Advocacy campaigns.
Please note that there is a new campaign for the 2025-2026 school year: the Innovations + Entrepreneurship campaign.
Spotlight: New Innovations + Entrepreneurship Campaign
This exciting new campaign is designed to help DECA members explore the entrepreneurial spirit in their community while encouraging innovation and creative thinking. The campaign features three key components:
Innovation Activity (75% Participation Required)
The centerpiece of this campaign is a hands-on innovation activity where chapter members work in teams to find a new use for a common, everyday item while creating maximum value. Teams will:
- Transform ordinary objects (like paper clips, hair ties, erasers, or coffee filters) into innovative solutions
- Develop creative product names and compelling stories
- Create simple prototypes or demonstrations
- Deliver 3-minute pitch presentations showcasing their "new" product, including the problem it solves, value for consumers and marketing strategies
Local Business Profiles
Chapters must conduct interviews and create detailed profiles of three local businesses, providing members with real-world insights into entrepreneurship and business operations in their community.
Entrepreneur Guest Speaker
Host a local entrepreneur to share their journey and insights with your chapter, giving members direct access to entrepreneurial wisdom and inspiration.
Campaign Tips and Strategies
Below are some tips and tricks to help you and your chapter strategically tackle the chapter campaigns.
- Review requirements and deadlines. Make sure to read the guidebook carefully as each campaign has its own deadlines and requirements. For instance, the Membership, Promotional, Community Service and Innovations + Entrepreneurship campaigns are due on December 1, 2025, but the Advocacy campaign is due on March 2, 2026.
- Get creative. The guidebook comes equipped with suggestions on how to incorporate chapter campaigns into your classroom and chapter. Review DECA's suggested ideas and then decide which ones sound the most feasible. But don't stop there – think outside of the box and brainstorm your own, unique blueprint!
- Create an action plan. One of the guidebook's greatest assets is the planning worksheet that follows each campaign's description. This allows teams to visually plan out their target activities, jot down ideas and collaborate with others. Utilize this feature to come up with the best approach for your chapter campaigns!
- Submit your campaigns. The chapter campaign portal will open in September for the Promotional, Community Service and Innovations + Entrepreneurship Campaign submissions. For the Membership Campaign, be sure to submit your membership by December 1, 2025. The Advocacy Campaign will open in the campaign portal on February 1, 2026 and close on March 2, 2026.
What happens once the campaigns are completed?
- Chapters can earn Achievement Level by meeting all the requirements in any ONE of the DECA Month Chapter Campaigns (Promotional, Community Service or Innovations + Entrepreneurship) and receive a pennant and certificate.
- Or, chapters can earn the Thrive Level by meeting all the requirements in any TWO of the DECA Month Chapter Campaigns and receive a pennant, plaque, flag and two (2) allocations to attend the Thrive Academy at ICDC.
- Additionally, for the Membership Campaign, chapters can earn Achievement Level by meeting the requirements in any ONE of the categories (students, alumni or professionals) of the Membership Campaign and receive a pennant and certificate. Or, chapters can earn the Thrive Level by meeting the requirements in any TWO categories and receive a pennant, plaque, flag and two (2) allocations to attend the Thrive Academy at ICDC.
- Chapter campaign items will not be shipped internationally.
As you begin to map out your campaign strategies, don't forget to use this year's guidebook as a tool and resource!
If you have any questions during the process, reach out to education@deca.org.
