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Introducing the DECA ICDC 2026 Keynote Speaker
DECA is pleased to announce that sWooZie will deliver the keynote during the 2026 DECA International Career Development Conference Grand Opening Session.

Women's History Month: 3 Influential Women In Business
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: Time For A Spinoff
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.

DECA Announces the 2026-2027 Membership Theme: 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.

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

Combatting Senioritis from a Senior With No School
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.

The Ultimate DECA Video Series: School-Based Enterprises
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.

The Ultimate DECA Video Series: Chapter Campaigns
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.

Lessons from My First NY DECA State Career Conference
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.

Navigating College Decision Results: Next Steps For Seniors
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.

Feedback: The Ultimate Competitive Advantage
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.

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

DECA Talks: Taking Risks with Confidence & Conviction
In life, we are often faced with decisions that require us to take some sort of risk, whether it’s where to take your next job, which schools to apply to, where to move to, etc. In this talk, we’ll explore how to determine if a risk is worth taking and how you can set yourself up for the highest chance of success.

DECA Talks: The GRIT It Takes to Seek Success
The secret to outstanding achievement is not talent or privilege, but grit: a special blend of passion and persistence for long-term goals.

DECA Talks: Just Say Yes
Ever felt torn when presented with a cool new opportunity? Learn how choosing to say “yes” can lead to easier decision-making in the future…and some cool opportunities along the way.

Look Back on Collegiate DECA ENGAGE in Chicago
Nearly 300 Collegiate DECA members from 17 associations attended the 2019 ENGAGE Conference in Chicago, IL on November 21-23, 2019.

DECA Direct Magazine: Entrepreneurship
The Entrepreneurship Issue features tips, resources and how-to guides to help kickstart your next entrepreneurial endeavor.

How Studying Abroad Can Help You Become an Entrepreneur
Studying abroad has many benefits, teaches you life skills and equips you with qualities that can be found in entrepreneurs. Here are just a few of the things you can learn from studying abroad that will help with your future career aspirations.

2019 DECA Pumpkin Contest Winners
The annual DECA Pumpkin Contest is always a great time for members and advisors to show off their creativity and DECA pride. This year did not disappoint!

DECA Direct Magazine: Here We Go
The Back to School issue features tips on selecting your competitive event, a guide to setting goals for the upcoming year and everything you need to get started this year in DECA!

Getting Started with Prepared Events
For those of you that have competed in DECA’s prepared events, you know that writing a quality paper, coupled with delivering a presentation, can be hard and tedious work.

Behind the Scenes at Disney World
This summer, DECA's executive officer team got a chance to peek behind the curtain (and underground) to see what makes Walt Disney World truly magical. Officers took part in training sessions through the Disney College Program, exploring leadership and culture through the Disney lens.

#Goals for Your Year
Before jumping into your goals for the year, it’s important to start with that passion. Why is DECA important? What can DECA do for the students in your school and your community? In a few sentences, explain your vision for your DECA chapter. If it was everything that it could be, what would it be? Use this vision as a guide as you are setting goals for your chapter.

Your Chapter's Best Year Yet
No matter your goals for the year, membership is the foundation of every DECA chapter. It’s important to plan ahead to reach potential new members and find innovative ways to engage your current members as well. With more than 10 years of DECA experience under their belts, Collegiate DECA Executive Officers Lindsay Joyner and Max May share their secrets to successfully growing chapter membership.

