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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.

Compete

How your DECA Judge Thinks like a Shark Tank Investor

Jun 4, 2025

DECA judges use mental shortcuts just like investors. Learn how to craft your pitch to match their mindset and make your project more memorable.

Chapter Strategy

Making the Most of Summer: Community Service Ideas for Collegiate DECA Members

Jun 1, 2025

Whether interning, working a summer job or enjoying a lighter class schedule, community service helps you stay connected to DECA’s mission of preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs.

Career Insights

The College Student’s Guide to LinkedIn

Jun 1, 2025

Let's be real, college is stressful enough without having the added stress of thinking about your future career. Here are five fun and practical ways to start using LinkedIn today to better your chances at landing your dream career.

Chapter Strategy

The Goal of Goals

Jun 1, 2025

Summer is a great time for college students to relax after the busy school year and difficult finals. It is also the perfect time to evaluate progress on your goals and start planning for the future.

College Success

Navigating the Summer Before College

Jun 1, 2025

The summer before college is a unique and often overlooked chapter in the story of your academic journey. It’s a season that offers more than rest – it’s an opportunity to intentionally prepare, reflect and reset.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Redesigning All-Star Weekend

May 26, 2025

Step into the role of the director of public relations for the NBA. The senior vice president wants you to redesign the NBA All-Star weekend to create fan interest and increase return-on-investment for sponsors.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Creating a Ring of Champions

May 19, 2025

Step into the role of the owner of Smokers Ring, a company that makes barbeque smokers. Your business partner wants you to design a Smokers Ring customer community to build the brand.

DECA News

DECA Earns Gold Circle Award for Excellence in Association Communications from ASAE

May 12, 2025

DECA Inc. has earned recognition from ASAE with a 2025 Gold Circle Award in the Video category. The Gold Circle Awards competition is the premier association marketing, membership and communications award.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Incentive to Return to Office

May 12, 2025

Step into the role of the director of human resources for Smart Venture. The president would like you to examine the current total rewards system and create an incentive for employees to return to working in the office.

Conferences

Previous Collegiate DECA ICDC Competitive Event Winners

May 7, 2025

Congratulations to the competitive event top performers from past Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conferences.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: What Could Go Wrong with Never Ending Shrimp?

May 5, 2025

Step into the role of the director of marketing for Coastal Fare, a full-service casual dining restaurant chain that specializes in seafood. The director of operations wants you to recreate the Never-Ending Shrimp Plate.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Raise Awareness for a New Brand

Apr 28, 2025

Step into the role of the director of marketing communications for Folklore, a women’s clothing and accessories retailer. The senior VP wants you to develop a marketing campaign to raise awareness of a new addition to its portfolio, Artifact.