DECA's Corporate Partner Projects, 2012-2013

DECA and several corporate partners have collaborated to offer DECA members opportunities to demonstrate the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom in innovative challenges during the 2012-2013 school year. Each challenge has a unique focus and a specific set of required tasks. One common element is the requirement that presentations will be made via YouTube videos.

The three opportunities available are:

DeVry Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge

Submit by October 5, 2012

Participants in the DeVry Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge will present ideas to launch innovative business concepts. Business concepts should enhance the lives of the North American consumer and must be related to one of the following themes: technology, environmental sustainability, personal health, or tourism. Challenge participants will make presentations to DeVry University faculty, administrators and executives via videos posted on YouTube.

DeVry University challenges DECA members to design, develop and present ideas for innovative business concepts that are financially viable. Each challenge participant (or participant team) must create a 5-10 minute video presentation which will be posted on YouTube for evaluation. The top three participants (or participant teams) will be invited to attend DECA's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference in Chicago, IL.

Finish Line Challenge

Submit by December 14, 2012

Finish Line and DECA are pleased to announce the return of the Finish Line Challenge. In this innovative real-world activity, DECA members in teams of one to three will assist Finish Line in analyzing its omni-channel strategy (providing a consistent and premium customer experience through the many ways in which the customer shops). DECA members will then develop recommendations for improvements and turn their findings into a ten-minute YouTube video.

The top three teams will be flown to Finish Line’s corporate office in Indianapolis, Indiana, to present their findings to Finish Line executives. The overall winning team will receive a travel prize to cover that teams expenses to the DECA International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, CA.

FIDM Challenge

Submit by February 8, 2013

Participants in The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) Challenge will create a predictive report which forecasts the fashion trends and looks for Back to School 2013. Challenge participants will make presentations to FIDM executives and instructors via videos posted on YouTube.

Learn more about each challenge and the award structure by clicking the links above.