January always feels like a turning point in DECA. Fall conferences are behind you, Power Trip energy is still fresh and Career Development Conference season is right around the corner. It is the moment when you are ready to continue to Go The Extra before CDC, which is why the DECA Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference arrives at precisely the right time.
Taking place January 28 through February 1, 2026, in Orlando, Florida, SEM offers members an inside look at one of the most exciting industries in business. Through sessions led by Universal Orlando marketing executives and featured guest speakers, you can explore how sports and entertainment organizations attract fans, build loyalty, and create experiences that leave a remarkable impression, making you want to keep returning.
What truly sets SEM apart is the opportunity to experience marketing where it happens. This year, members will spend time at Universal Orlando Resort, including the highly anticipated Epic Universe, which just opened! Walking through a brand-new theme park brings concepts like immersive storytelling, audience engagement, and experience design to life in a way where you directly experience it!
At SEM, you’ll also get the opportunity to connect with fellow DECA members who share the same interests and ambition, while gaining insight from professionals who have turned creativity into careers.
As the CDC season approaches, the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference offers a chance to expand your horizons and bring new lessons back to your chapter and association. Orlando delivers the energy, Epic Universe provides the wow factor, and members leave ready to take on what comes next!
