DECA hosts more than 12,000 students at global conference

2012-04-27

This weekend DECA will host its 66th annual International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 28 through May 1. 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 and competitions.

DECA’s activities empower them to work as a team, experience leadership, engage their communities and demonstrate their academic and professional development.

For sixty-six years, the ICDC has served as the pinnacle event for students who are focused on preparing themselves for college and careers. The conference is DECA's highest level of competition and encompasses career-focused exercises in finance, marketing, hospitality, tourism, management and entrepreneurship.

“You cannot help but be inspired by the accomplishments of these emerging leaders and entrepreneurs,” said Edward L. Davis, DECA’s executive director. “The amount of preparation done by these students to get to this point is admirable.”

During the school year, approximately 120,000 of DECA’s 200,000 student members take part in the organization’s competitive events program, allowing them to compete for local and regional titles. Designed to simulate real-life business scenarios while testing 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 Salt Lake City.

This year, business icon George Zimmer, founder and chairman of Men’s Warehouse, will join Jameson Osmond, DECA state president. Zimmer and Osmond will welcome students to these four days of leadership and career advancing academics.

DECA's connection to business is another hallmark of the organization's strength and enduring success. The National Advisory Board (NAB), DECA's corporate advisory board, includes more than 60 nationally and internationally recognized businesses, including Fortune 50 Company, Safeway, Inc. throughout the year Safeway grocery sponsors the organization’s international competitive events in food marketing and community service, as well as, provides academic scholarships for DECA members who are Safeway employees. DECA is also Safeway's sustainability partner in its efforts to improve academic success rates and workforce preparedness among students living in inner-city communities.

“Safeway views talent acquisition as key to our long-term success, and our partnership with DECA is an important strategy to ensure that we keep our talent pipeline full,” said Traci Adams, Vice President of Floral, Safeway.

DECA’s ICDC will drive more than $14 million into the Salt Lake City-area economy – using more than one million square feet of convention center space. Convention participants are estimated to purchase 10,000 tickets to area attractions, buy 250,000 meals, and make 30,000 hotel room reservations.

ABOUT DECA

DECA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. DECA operates in all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Canada, China, Germany, Guam, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The United States Congress, the United States Department of Education and the district, state and international departments of education authorize DECA’s programs.