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Spotlights

Women's History Month: 3 Influential Women In Business

Mar 23, 2026

Since women gained the right to own businesses in 1988, the industry has changed dramatically through the work of many influential women in business. This article highlights 3 key women who helped develop the field we know today.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Time For A Spinoff

Mar 23, 2026

Step into the role of the senior VP at Pasta Bounty, an Italian-themed full-service restaurant chain with over 900 locations. The chain is best known for its unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks that come with every entrée or as an option on the weekday lunch menu.

Chapter Strategy

From Members to Mentors: Finding Your Chapter’s Next Leaders

Mar 20, 2026

Although the competition season is coming to a close, leadership continues to grow. Here are a few tips to find the right fit for the upcoming chapter leadership team.

College Success

Combatting Senioritis from a Senior With No School

Mar 20, 2026

Senioritis is the feeling of complete mental exhaustion and disinterest that hits seniors in the final stretch of high school. Here are a few ways you can help combat senioritis, from a senior with no school.

Chapter Strategy

The Ultimate DECA Video Series: School-Based Enterprises

Mar 20, 2026

From understanding what qualifies as an SBE to exploring how they operate as real businesses within your school, we walk through what makes these enterprises so impactful and how you can earn certification.

Chapter Strategy

The Ultimate DECA Video Series: Chapter Campaigns

Mar 20, 2026

From understanding what each campaign focuses on to learning how to plan, promote and execute them effectively, we walk through how these initiatives can elevate your chapter’s engagement and visibility.

Conferences

Lessons from My First NY DECA State Career Conference

Mar 19, 2026

Every DECA competition is an unforgettable experience. In this article, discover the three biggest lessons that Samyuktha learned at their first time at the NY DECA State Career Conference.

College Success

Navigating College Decision Results: Next Steps For Seniors

Mar 19, 2026

From exciting senior events to college decisions, there’s a lot to keep track of in the last few months of a senior’s high school career. For those navigating the college decision period, there are a few key points to remember before graduation.

Compete

Feedback: The Ultimate Competitive Advantage

Mar 19, 2026

In DECA, feedback isn’t just commentary on a performance; it’s a foundation for improvement. The competitors who learn to analyze and apply feedback gain a long-term competitive advantage.

Career Insights

March Madness and Marketing: Why the Tournament is a Masterclass in Engagement

Mar 18, 2026

From viral social media moments to billion-dollar sponsorship deals, the March Madness tournament offers DECA students a masterclass in real-time marketing, emotional storytelling and capitalizing on cultural moments.

Spotlights

From DECA to National Brand: Abigail Goddard’s Journey

Mar 18, 2026

‍Meet Abigail, a DECA member who turned challenges into business opportunities. Through DECA, she learned how to take ideas sparked by real-life problems and shape them into ventures.

DECA News

Congratulations to the 2025-26 Invest Real World Ready Challenge Winners

Mar 16, 2026

DECA Inc. and Invest are excited to announce the winners of the 2025-26 Real World Ready Challenge.

Leadership

The Ethics of Leadership

Sep 8, 2020

Ethical leaders exist in all walks of life. They are the individuals who step forward when crises occur, come to the rescue of others and generally do what's right—no matter what. Anyone can talk the talk, but can they walk the walk? In today's high-visibility, social world, more people are taking note of leaders’ behavior and holding them accountable.

Leadership

DECA Direct Magazine: Next Level Leadership

Sep 8, 2020

A new school year brings new chances to elevate your leadership to the next level. Discover fresh ideas to enhance your chapter and become a leader worth following in your school, community and beyond.

Leadership

The Next Level is Inclusion

Sep 8, 2020

It has never been more important for emerging leaders to be characterized by teamwork, innovation, competency and integrity. Fortunately, those are the valued characteristics of DECA’s student leaders. What if this moment needs you and the unique values that drive your leadership?

Chapter Strategy

Top Tips for Socially-distant Membership Recruitment

Sep 8, 2020

Building your chapter’s membership is one of the most important ways to set it up for success in the new school year. But what are the best ways to recruit within the “new normal” of more virtual interactions and less in-person activities? Learn how to recruit new members the socially-distant way with these top tips.

Chapter Strategy

The Power of the Diamond

Sep 8, 2020

Throughout your DECA career, you’ll wear the blazer, throw up a DECA diamond symbol and add lots of blue to your wardrobe. You will also undoubtedly hear DECA’s core values and mission statement more times than you can count. But have you ever stopped to think about what they really mean?

Chapter Strategy

Cultivate Your Chapter’s Culture

Sep 8, 2020

2020 is a year that has changed all of our lives. If your DECA chapter has experienced a decline in recent months, struggling to cope with virtual meetings and maintain engagement, your chapter culture may need a boost.

Chapter Strategy

Discover Your DECA Leadership Style

Sep 8, 2020

There are hundreds of assessments to help you pinpoint your leadership traits, but the only one you need to take your leadership to the next level is the DECA Leadership Style Quiz.

Leadership

Influence with Informal Leadership

Sep 8, 2020

While you may not have an official leadership title, you still have the ability to help take your chapter to the #NextLevel with your informal leadership influence. Read on to learn more about informal leadership and how you can use it to make this year a success for you and your chapter.

DECA News

DECA Members Raise $7,000 Through the MDA Muscle Corp Program

Sep 1, 2020

DECA members raised over $7,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) this summer through the pilot MDA Muscle Corp Program. Twenty-one DECA members successfully completed the program and earned 40 hours of community service.

Spotlights

Mountain View High School Virtual Recruitment

Sep 1, 2020

Like for many chapters, this year’s DECA kickoff meeting was unique for Mountain View High School in Georgia. Even though the meeting was held through Zoom, the chapter still found a way to make it one of their best meetings yet.

Chapter Strategy

10 Ideas for Collegiate DECA Freshman Recruitment

Sep 1, 2020

Collegiate DECA offers incredible opportunities for members, and every year dedicated officers aim to increase membership. However, it can be a struggle to think of new, creative ways to recruit new students. To help, explore these ten great ways to increase membership.

Chapter Strategy

How to Raise Your Membership to the #NextLevel

Aug 18, 2020

As we enter a new year, it's time to get excited about membership recruitment! We know this year is going to look different, so here are some tips for taking your recruitment efforts to the #NextLevel!