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Download ICDC 2026 Certificates and Competitor Performance Reports
Learn how to download certificates and competitive event performance reports from DECA's 2026 Collegiate and High School International Career Development Conferences.

Register Now for the APSI + DECA Toolkit Webinar Hosted by College Board
DECA advisors have been asking about the AP/DECA “toolkit” that advisors will be able to access, not just to prepare students for the AP Exam in the Spring of 2027, but also to better prepare them for DECA competitive events.

The 5 Messages Every DECA Member Should Send After a Conference
Sending thoughtful messages after a conference can turn brief conversations into lasting friendships, collaborations or professional relationships. Taking the time to send these messages strengthens your network and makes the most of the connections.

The 2026 DECA ICDC Pin Economy
ICDC 2026 was buzzing with people trading, bargaining and searching for the pins that were gaining popularity in real-time. Some pins came in with “high value,” while others unexpectedly gained traction as word spread among students.

DECA Announces Competitive Event Topics and Updates for 2026-2027
Get a head start on the 2026-2027 competition season with DECA's updates, topics and resources for next year's competitive events program.

DECA ICDC 2026 Post Conference FAQs
Find the answers to commonly asked post-ICDC questions about results, awards, photos, press releases, trophies and more, plus information on next year's conference.

Announcing DECA's 2026 Conference Lineup
DECA has a full lineup of educational conferences for its members and advisors coming in the 2026 academic year and beyond. Check out where we're heading next!

Case Study of the Week: A Kid Character On Social Media
Step into the role of the director of corporate communications for Orangey, a popular animated series for preschoolers. The president wants you to decide how to proceed on social media and develop a communications plan that will deliver a strategic message.

DECA Announces the 2026-2027 Membership Campaign: Next Big Thing
Every breakthrough, innovation and movement starts with someone bold enough to pursue it. This year, DECA challenges its members to look beyond what exists today and focus on what’s possible tomorrow.

Previous ICDC Competitive Event Winners
Congratulations to the competitive event top performers from past DECA International Career Development Conferences.

How to Write a College Application Essay, the Pain-Free Way
Are college essays looming? Here’s how to write them the pain-free way… and maybe even have some fun while you do it.

Introducing the 2026-27 DECA Executive Officer Team
Congratulations to the newly-elected 2026-27 DECA Executive Officer Team! The team is excited to represent DECA members around the globe as they begin work on their goals and objectives for the year ahead.

Finding Success Through DECA’s Career Clusters
When you view career exploration as an adventure, the process becomes exciting. DECA’s five career clusters offer a simple way to begin that journey and help you find a path that aligns with your interests and aspirations.

Chapter Socials for the Fall Season
It’s the perfect time to start celebrating fall and fall into some chapter socials that will get your members involved and networking! You never know how the connections you build now will impact your future.

Networking with Purpose: How to Maximize Your Time at Engage
You’ve heard it before: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” When it comes to getting a job, that phrase holds weight. But when it comes to keeping a job, that’s where your knowledge, skills and results will carry you.

Unlock Career Paths with Engage EduTOURS
CDECA’s Engage challenges members to understand their career interests, skills and experiences. During the conference, members have the opportunity to attend an EduTOUR of a thriving Tampa business.

Case Study of the Week: Reduce, Reuse or Recycle - Hotel Renovations
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.

The Nitro Bar: A Coffee Cart turned Famous $4.5M Brand
In honor of National Coffee Day, here’s a Rhode Island success story that shows how smart marketing can transform a business from a coffee cart to a viral sensation.

Collegiate DECA's Newest Member: Indy 500 Winner Alex Palou
On September 10th, Butler University DECA hosted a landmark event on campus: it welcomed 2025 Indy 500 champion and four-time IndyCar Series titleholder Alex Palou as he became a professional chapter member.

DECA Duck Takes Flight at Smithville High School
Smithville High School’s DECA chapter has a new mascot, DECA Duck. What started as just a blue rubber ducky idea has become a school spirit sensation at DECA events and recruiting activities.

IBM SkillsBuild to Launch 8-Part Webinar Series on AI for Educators
Starting September 25th, IBM SkillsBuild is launching an incredible 8-part webinar series designed specifically for educators ready to be enabled and become force multipliers.

Major Keys: Unlocking College Success with a DECA Mindset
Success doesn’t come from luck; it comes from preparation, strategy, mindset and staying true to yourself. For many, college feels like the biggest stage of their life. But in reality, it’s actually not all that different from being a DECA member.

Would Taylor Swift’s Marketing Score Well on a DECA Rubric?
Taylor Swift has clearly conquered the music industry, but what if she stepped into the world of DECA competition? Let’s look at how she would perform in each section of the Principles of Marketing Event.

Case Study of the Week: How to Protect a Mobile Bank Account From Identity Theft
Step into the role of a financial advisor at First Bank. A customer wants to open a mobile banking account to pay more bills online but is worried about identity theft and has asked for your help.

