Nearly 20,000 High School Students Gather to Close the Nation's "Skills Gap"

Community leaders are encouraged to serve as judges for this exciting event, If you are a business professional who would like to help prepare our country's next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs, please register online or contact [email protected] - (703) 860-5000.

#DECAICDC Awards and VIP:

• Top Honors for Students and Teachers: Nearly $500,000 in scholarships and awards
• DECA's Entrepreneurial Spirit Award: This year, DECA is pleased to present the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award to Chief Technology Strategist Monique Morrow
• Corporate Recognition: Hilton Worldwide, The SIFMA Foundation, M&M Productions USA, Publix Supermarkets, Universal Orlando, The Art Intitutes and H&R Block will be recognized for their years of service
• Vector Marketing will be honored with DECA's National Advisory Board "Member of the Year" Award

"Success in the 21st Century economy requires more than just skills. It requires ethics, leadership and global awareness. That is what our students are learning and is on display at #DECAICDC," said Paul Wardinski, DECA's Executive Director.    

During the school year, approximately 120,000 of DECA's 225,000 student members take part in the organization's competitive events program, allowing them to compete for local and regional titles. The competitions are designed to simulate real-life business scenarios and test students' academic understanding and skills development. The top state and provincial winners will now put their talents to the test during the program's final round of competition in Atlanta.

DECA's innovative partnership with business is a hallmark of the organization's strength and enduring success. DECA's corporate advisory board includes more than 60 nationally and internationally recognized businesses including the international retail icon Men's Wearhouse (Tailored Brands). These companies work with DECA to industry-validate its curriculum, recruit talent to careers in their industry, tap into the attitudes and opinions of the teen-market and provide community engagement opportunities for their associates.

"Our partnership allows us to spot national trends and spending attitudes of the influential teen market," said Mike Sins, Director of Special Events with Tailored Brands. "This information is enormously valuable to our company and stores  in making informed decisions to attract our future workforce and customer base."  

#DECAICDC will drive approximately $20 million into the Anaheim-area economy – using more than one million square feet of convention center space, purchasing more than 10,000 tickets to area attractions, buying 250,000 meals, and using over 30,000 hotel room nights.

ABOUT DECA:
For more information about DECA, please visit our website and follow #DECAICDC on Twitter. 

SOURCE DECA