So You Think You Have What It Takes To Win At Your Association Conference?

2013-01-25

So you think you have what it takes to win at your association conference? Is your project free of spelling errors? Have you practiced your presentation with your partners for hours and gone over every flashcard about marketing knowledge you can think of? Well, even if you have done all these and more, you could be missing one very important thing.

How you dress can make or break your chance at winning. Here are some tips to keep in mind when getting ready for your association conference or any future business events you may attend.

For the Gentlemen:
• Shoes and belts must always match, and remember, no sneakers!
• Pants should sit at the waistline.
• Dress shirts tucked in look best and it’s wise to wear an undershirt as well. Remember, cotton allows your body to breath while polyester materials can increase your body heat.
• Do not let your tie distract the judges. Refrain from cartoons characters and wacky designs.
• If you do not have a DECA Blazer, a suit or sport coat is appropriate.
• If you have a DECA blazer, wear it with pride!
• Cologne should not be a distraction.
• If you have earrings or other facial jewelry, it is best to remove them.

For the Ladies:
• Black shoes with a 1-2 inch heel are best for a business setting.
• If you wear pants, you should have a belt that matches your shoes.
• Nice skin-tone pantyhose are always recommended.
• Pants should be straight legged or have a curvy fit, they should not be skinny and tight to your ankles. Remember, you do not want them to be too tight.
• Pants and skirts should sit at the waistline.
• Skirts should be just at knee length, no higher.
• Skirts should have a conservative slit.
• Dress shirts tucked in look best and it’s wise to wear an undershirt as well. Remember, cotton allows your body to breath while polyester materials can increase your body heat.
• If you do not have a DECA Blazer, a skirt suit or pant suit is appropriate. You can also just wear a nice dress blazer with your pants or skirt with a nice blouse.
• If you have a DECA blazer, wear it with pride!
• Perfume should not be a distraction.
• Minimal jewelry is recommended. Do not wear jewelry that makes too much noise or is very large. Pearls are always a great accessory for business settings.

Competing with a partner?
• Dress the same or as close as you can get. It shows team unity and really makes you both look sharp!

These are just some basic dress for success tips. I hope you take them into consideration when dressing for your association conference, ICDC 2013, and all your future endeavors. Remember, you only get one chance to make a great first impression. Good luck!