What conferences take place during the DECA year?

Great question! Competitive competitions include Regional/District competitions, State Career Conferences (SCC)/State Career Development Conferences (SCDC), and, of course, the International Career Development Conference (ICDC)!

Other conferences include the Ultimate DECA Power Trip (focused on building emerging leaders), the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference (focused on connecting enthusiastic DECA members with experts in these fields), and the Emerging Leader Summit (focused on equipping members with the skills they need to become powerful chapter leaders in the following school year).

What is considered “business-professional attire”?

Business-professional attire is usually found in solid, dark, or neutral colors. There does not tend to be any bright graphics or patterns involved.

Articles of business-professional clothing typically include a suit jacket and corresponding pants/skirt. Footwear includes dress shoes and closed-toed heels. When in doubt, look up reference images!

What do you suggest for last-minute nerves?

Whatever makes you comfortable! You may prefer to have some quiet time and take a few deep breaths. We prefer to blast our favorite upbeat songs on our AirPods before getting ready to compete! Everybody has personal preferences, and that is okay!

If you feel nervous while presenting, some people recommend looking between the judges’ eyebrows— it gets you those eye-contact points while still avoiding the awkwardness!