DECA Hosts Over 12,000 Students at Global Conference

WHAT

The 66th International Career Development Conference (ICDC) will shine a spotlight on DECA's top performers from around the globe. The conference will highlight how these emerging leaders and future entrepreneurs tackle the challenges of an ever-evolving and often difficult economic climate through its series of unique real-life business scenarios & competitions.  DECA's activities empower them to work as a team, experience leadership, engage their communities and demonstrate their academic and professional development.

Tailored opportunities for new media:

DECA will host a new Media Square where online journalists will have the opportunity to interact with DECA students and spokespeople face to face.

WHO:

More than 12,000 DECA students from all 50 states and around the world will unite to compete, for over $500,000 is scholarships and prizes. They will be joined by over 2,000 teacher/advisors and 1,000 business partners and competition judges.

Conference Spokespeople:

• Claire Coker, DECA Inc. high school president

• Jameson Osmond, Utah DECA state president

• Traci Adams, Vice President of floral, Safeway, Inc.

• Luke Christie, National youth chairman, The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)

• John Fistolera, DECA Assistant Executive Director for corporate and external affairs

Conference Keynote and Special Entertainment:

• George Zimmer, Founder and Chairman of Men's Warehouse

• The Eli Young Band, 2012 ACM Song of the Year Award Winner

• Jabbawockeez, Season One Winners of America's Best Dance Crew

VIP Guests:

• Hon. Larry Shumway, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

• Hon. Rebecca Lockhart, Speaker of state house of representatives

• Hon. Aaron Osmond, Chairman of state senate committee on education (invited)

• Hon. Harold Stephenson, Chairman of state appropriations subcommittee on education (invited)

WHY:

During the school year, approximately 120,000 of DECA's 200,000 student members take part in the organization's Competitive Events Program, where they vie with one another at local and state competitions. The contests include real-life business scenarios and project presentations that are designed to test students' academic understanding and skills development, as well, as DECA's overall program strength. The top state/provincial winners will now put their talents to the test during the program's final round of competition in the ICDC

DECA's Mission:

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe

WHEN:

April 28, 2012 –May 1, 2012

WHERE:

Salt Palace Convention Center and Energy Solutions Arena

Salt Lake City, Utah