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Spotlights

Wisconsin DECA Trick or Can

Oct 10, 2025

Each October, DECA chapters across Wisconsin participate in Trick or Can, a statewide initiative that turns a night of trick-or-treating into a mission to fight hunger.‍

College Success

Navigating College Finances: Everything Students and Parents Need to Know

Oct 10, 2025

Navigating college finances can be a complex and sometimes stressful task for both students and parents. Explore the ins and outs of college expenses - from financial aid and scholarships to budget management and part-time job opportunities.

College Success

5 Key Features of a Winning Scholarship Essay

Oct 9, 2025

Let’s explore five key features that can help you craft a scholarship-winning essay and increase your chances of securing that much-needed scholarship.

Chapter Strategy

Inclusivity in DECA: Building a Chapter That Welcomes Everyone

Oct 7, 2025

For DECA members to thrive, they need to feel seen, heard, and, most importantly, welcomed. Here are a few simple but powerful ways to build that kind of culture in your chapter

Career Insights

Trick or Treat: Seasonal Business Moves

Oct 7, 2025

From burrito deals to ketchup turned “blood,” companies get creative every October, though not every idea is a treat. Check out the best campaigns that nailed it and the trick campaigns that missed the mark!

DECA News

Spirit Box and DECA Celebrate 10 Years of Partnership

Oct 6, 2025

Since 2015, Spirit Box has been a dedicated supporter of DECA members and advisors, contributing to student success through competitive events, leadership development, and innovative programming.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Dealing With Internal and External Public Relations

Oct 6, 2025

Step into the role of the director of public relations for Gemini Products. The president of the company wants you to create a company statement in response to public backlash over a company event and determine how to communicate with staff about providing information to reporters.

College Success

5 Ways to Improve Your SAT Score

Oct 3, 2025

Check out the most important tips when it comes to getting the best score on the SAT you can to help you optimize your college options or earn additional scholarships.

Career Insights

How to Start a Business with No Money in 8 Steps

Oct 3, 2025

Today, it’s faster and easier than ever to get your business up and running without the need for funding. Let’s look at the eight steps it takes to start a business with no money.

Career Insights

From National Pancake Day to Sleep Awareness Week: Unlock the Power of Social Media Holidays

Oct 3, 2025

These holidays aren’t just for fun—they’re powerful tools for brands to connect with audiences in authentic, engaging ways. Tapping into these trends allows businesses to join broader conversations, boost visibility, and showcase personality.

Leadership

From Umm to Aha! Tools That Help You Speak Clearly and Confidently

Oct 2, 2025

Let’s face it, speaking in public can be scary. Even professionals still feel nervous at times! The real question is, what tools are available to help turn those nerves into power? Learn more in this article.

Leadership

The Business of Basketball: NBA Lessons for DECA Leaders

Oct 1, 2025

With a global reach and billions in revenue, the NBA is a business powerhouse. For people involved in DECA, there’s real value in understanding how the world of the NBA and basketball highly connects to the world of business.

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!