Honorary Life Membership & Outstanding Service Award Packet Due
November 15, 2025
The DECA Professional Division Awards recognize individuals for outstanding and significant contributions toward the development and progress of DECA Inc. The DECA Professional Division Awards provide the opportunity to recognize dedicated supporters from the local to international levels who further DECA Inc.’s mission of preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.
Honorary Life Membership is DECA’s highest honor. This award recognizes both current or former education professionals in marketing, business, finance, hospitality or entrepreneurship, who have rendered distinguished contributions to further the mission of DECA Inc.
These individuals are mission driven, are stewards of DECA Inc.’s ethical principles and have a member centric focus. These individuals must have made significant contributions for a minimum of 20 years of service as a Chartered Association Advisor, Chapter Advisor or Strategic Partner at the DECA Inc. level. They also must have been a recipient of DECA’s Outstanding Service Award.
Significant contributions at the DECA Inc. level may include but are not limited to:
- Elected Member of the DECA Inc. Board of Directors
- Served as an Officer of DECA’s National Advisory Board
- Completed service on a DECA Inc. Task Force, outside of DECA Inc. Board of Directors Liaison
- ICDC Competitive Events Coordinator
- ICDC Event Director
Nominees must be nominated by one of the following individuals for consideration of this award: a current DECA Inc. Representative, a Chartered Association Advisor or the DECA Inc. Executive Director.
Completed nomination forms must be submitted by November 15 for consideration at the next regularly scheduled DECA Inc. Board of Directors meeting. The DECA Inc. Board of Directors will approve or deny each submission, at their discretion, after completing a thorough review of the supporting documentation. Only under certain circumstances will more than two submissions per year be awarded.
The Outstanding Service Award recognizes both current or former education professionals in marketing, business, finance, hospitality or entrepreneurship, or strategic partners, who have rendered distinguished contributions to further the mission of DECA Inc. These individuals are mission driven, are stewards of DECA Inc.’s ethical principles and have a member centric focus. These individuals must have made significant contributions for a minimum of five years of service as a Chartered Association Advisor, Chapter Advisor or Strategic Partner at the DECA Inc. level.
Significant contributions at the DECA Inc. level may include but are not limited to:
- Elected Member of the DECA Inc. Board of Directors
- Served as an Officer of DECA’s National Advisory Board
- Completed service on a DECA Inc. Task Force, outside of DECA Inc. Board of Directors Liaison,
- ICDC Competitive Events Coordinator
- ICDC Event Director
Nominees may be nominated by a current DECA Inc. Representative, Chartered Association Advisor or the DECA Inc. Executive Director.
Completed nomination forms must be submitted by November 15 for consideration at the next regularly scheduled DECA Inc. Board of Directors meeting. The DECA Inc. Board of Directors will approve or deny each submission, at their discretion, after completing a thorough review of the supporting documentation. Up to 10 submissions per year will be awarded.
