Guide for DECA Parents
We Love Parents!
Welcome to the DECA Parent Guide!
We hope this makes the job of being a parent of a DECA member just a little easier. We are glad you’re here to see what DECA is all about and how you can help your favorite DECA member go far as a leader, competitor and conference attendee.
Here we go!
What is DECA?
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. DECA enhances the education of members through a comprehensive learning program that integrates into classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business and promotes competition. DECA’s activities assist in the development of academically prepared, community-oriented, professionally responsible, and experienced leaders. To join DECA you must first be enrolled in a marketing education class.
Competitive Events
What is DECA Competition?
Being a DECA competitor is something every member should try because it provides real-life career experiences.
We work on our project management, communication, idea-development skills in addition to the knowledge we gain by studying business terms and strategies.
There are more than 50 events to choose from. A complete list of Competitive Events can be found at https://www.deca.org/high-school-programs/high-school-competitive-events/
Here is an overview of the different types of events:
Role Play Events where you are given a event-specific situation and have 10 to 30-minutes depending on the event to solve the situation and present your solution to a judge. This event also has a 100-question exam.
Prepared Events are written research papers or presentations given to a judge on a certain topic with a variety from professional selling or a business expansion plan. This event typically is a case study of a local business’s operations and making recommendations, starting your own business or writing a marketing plan for a business.
Online Events take place in the fall and the spring and students are recognized at the State Conference. Competing in these means you’ll get to run a simulated restaurant, retail store or hotel in the Virtual Business Challenge or manage personal finances in the Stock Market Game.
How DECA Parents Can Help
- Help with choosing the right competitive event.
- Be a practice judge. The best competitors will give their presentation 20+ times to different business people to make sure they’re the best!
- Do examp test prep with sample test questions found on our website.
- Help your member start competition prep early.
- Encourage after school attendance at competitive events practice sessions.
Where can DECA Members compete? At Conferences and Competitive Events.
DECA Conferences
Here are the Dates and Events to attend and a little bit about each conference.
Fall Leadership Conference October 29th and 30th, 2023
The Fall Leadership Conference in October is held at the Holiday Inn in Fargo, North Dakota. This is the first state conference for members to attend in the DECA year. They work on their leadership skills while also trying out our competitive events by competing in a business simulation roleplay. Members will also get to know and learn leadership skills from their newly elected association officers. This two-day conference is also when newly elected local chapter officers get to work with their “Adopt-a-Chapter” officer to plan the Chapter’s Program of Work and set Chapter goals.
Central Region Leadership Conference
This year chapters are encouraged to attend the Power Trip in Austin, TX.
Ultimate DECA Power Trip November 17th – 19th, 2023
The Central Region Leadership Conference in December is held in a different location every year across the Central Region. This year chapters are encouraged to attend the Power Trip in Austin, TX. The Central Region consists of 13 states and members from each state come together to attend workshops, explore careers, learn more about DECA, and improve college and career-ready skills. Members will have a jam-packed schedule attending sessions, exploring successful businesses in the city, meeting other leaders and our Central Region Vice president.
State Career Development Conference March 3rd – 5th, 2024
The State Career Development Conference is a chance for members to compete for a chance to move on to the national conference and represent North Dakota. Members will compete in the events they choose and present different situations to judges. There are more than 50 events available and each member can compete in more than one event category. The conference also features at least one inspiring keynote speaker, leadership or career-based workshops, the Official North Dakota DECA Annual Business Meeting, and the Grand Awards Session. Members also have a chance in their sophomore or junior year to run for an association officer position at the state conference.
International Career Development Conference April 27th – 30th, 2024
The International Career Development Conference (ICDC) is an opportunity for eligible members to compete with the best competitors from all across the country, almost 20,000 of them to be more exact. The conference includes a career fair, exhibits, site visits to interesting businesses and attractions, as well as breakout sessions led by top business professionals and leadership teams. Each year it is held in a different city and in 2024 it will be held in Anaheim, California. Members who compete will present to judges and meet members from the United States and 11 different countries.
What does attending conferences cost?
Preparing for conference is more than getting good grades, completing projects, and participating in the chapter events. It is raising money and budgeting for travel.
Cost for conferences will depend from chapter to chapter and may be different for all conferences. Fall Leadership and the State Conference tend to be low-cost for the members as opposed to the ones that may need flights and more nights of hotel accommodations like Ultimate Power Trip or ICDC. Members should plan to have a budget for meals and snacks.
General budget for ICDC: $1,300 – $1,500
Estimate includes airfare, hotel, meals, and registration.
DRESS CODE
What are members required to wear?
DECA conferences and Chapter events have a dress code to ensure members look professional for judges, officials, and their peers. Choosing to forego the dress code may result in disqualification from a competitive event and removal from conference activities.
Professional appearance is an important aspect of the overall preparation of DECA members for the business world. To that end, DECA supports a dress code for its career-based functions that exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism while being non-discriminatory between genders.
DECA’s board of directors has developed the following official dress standards for the International Career Development Conference. Students, advisors, and chaperones must follow the dress code.
Competitors must wear an official DECA blazer during interaction with the judges. While official DECA blazers are not required during briefing and testing, professional business dress is required. Professional dress should also be worn to all conference sessions including workshops and special meal functions such as luncheons.
For a more polished, professional appearance, it is recommended that attendees wear appropriate hosiery/socks.
OFFICIAL DECA DRESS CODE FOR COMPETITION
For the Men: Official DECA blazer, dress slacks, collared dress shirt, and necktie, dress shoes
For the Ladies: Official DECA blazer, dress skirt or dress slacks, business dress or dress blouse with an ascot or, scarf, and dress shoes. All skirts must be at or below the knee.
This is for anytime you will be on stage at a Career Development Conference. This is recommended for competition at the State Conference and is mandatory for ICDC.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PACKING
Members will have access to Official DECA Blazers from their Chapter.
Professional Dress
Professional dress is everything from the official DECA dress code without the DECA blazer. A business suit jacket, sport coat or blazer is acceptable but not required.
Business Casual Dress
Worn at DECA GENERAL SESSIONS, MEAL FUNCTIONS, EVENT BRIEFING, MANUAL REGISTRATION AND TESTING
Casual slacks (e.g., Dockers), blouse/button up shirt, socks and casual shoes. • Jeans, t-shirts and athletic shoes are not included in business casual attire.
UNACCEPTABLE DURING DECA ACTIVITIES • Skin-tight or revealing clothing • Midriff-baring clothing • Swimwear • Athletic clothing • Leggings or graphic designed hosiery/tights • Clothing with printing that is suggestive, obscene or promotes illegal substances • Unacceptable types of dress shoes include boat shoes, canvas or fabric shoes, flip flops or casual sandals, athletic shoes, industrial work shoes and hiking boots.
Chapter Casual Dress
Acceptable to be worn to sessions or events as listed in the conference program.
Casual slacks (e.g., Dockers), official DECA chapter shirt, socks and casual shoes. • Jeans, t-shirts and athletic shoes are not included in business casual attire. UNACCEPTABLE DURING DECA ACTIVITIES • Skin-tight or revealing clothing • Midriff-baring clothing • Swimwear • Athletic clothing • Leggings or graphic designed hosiery/tights • Clothing with printing that is suggestive, obscene or promotes illegal substances • Unacceptable types of dress shoes include boat shoes, canvas or fabric shoes, flip flops or casual sandals, athletic shoes, industrial work shoes and hiking boots.