DECA Inc.

DECA CONNECTS

Connect to Courses, Curriculum + Careers

DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program integrates into classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business and promotes competition. Examine your course of study and integrate activities from DECA’s comprehensive learning program to show that DECA is connected and relevant.

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DECA's Comprehensive Learning Program provides a variety of instructional resources that would be suitable for these courses and more.

Principles of Business Administration
Fundamentals of Marketing
Advanced Marketing
Advertising
Fashion Merchandising
Marketing Research
Digital Marketing
Sports and Entertainment Marketing

Each career cluster contains several career pathways, or specialized career areas that are comprised of careers that require similar knowledge and skills.

Marketing Communications
Marketing Management
Marketing Research
Merchandising
Professional Selling

Instructional areas are broad areas of content knowledge that are comprised of many performance indicators. Performance indicators are specific knowledge and skills employees are expected to demonstrate or achieve.

Business Law

Channel Management

Communications

Customer Relations

Economics

Emotional Intelligence

Entrepreneurship

Financial Analysis

Human Resources Management

Information Management

Market Planning

Marketing

Marketing-Information Management

Operations

Pricing

Product/Service Management

Professional Development

Promotion

Selling

Strategic Management

The following are examples of career opportunities and occupations that are available within this career cluster.

Account Executive

Account Supervisor

Advertising Manager

Art Director

Brand Ambassador

Brand Manager

Buying Manager

CRM Manager

Campaign Manager

Chief Innovation Officer

Chief Marketing Officer

Chief Sales Officer

Circulation Manager

Client Relationship Manager

Content Marketing Manager

Copywriter

Creative Director

Customer Satisfaction Manager

Customer Service Representative

Customer Success Manager

Digital Marketing Director

Digital Marketing Manager

Digital Marketing Specialist

Director of Communications

Director of Market Development

Director of Sales

Director of Sales and Marketing

Fundraiser

Integrated Marketing Communications Specialist

Interactive Media Specialist

Key Account Manager

Market Development Manager

Marketing Associate

Marketing Services Manager

Marketing Specialist

Media Buyer/Planner

Merchandise Buyer

Merchandising Manager

National Account Manager

Product Manager

Product Planner

Promotions Manager

Public Information Director

Public Relations Manager

Purchasing Manager

Regional Sales Manager

Retail Marketing Coordinator

Sales Associate

Sales Manager

Sales Promotion Manager

Sales Representative

Search Engine Optimization Specialist

Social Media Manager

Territory Representatives

Visual Merchandise Manager

Web Content Writer

Web Producer

eCommerce Manager

CORPORATE CHALLENGES

Apply Learning

DECA and its corporate partners have teamed up to provide classroom activities that challenge members to apply learning in relevant ways.

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DECA at the Bell Challenge

Write and produce your very own episode of DECA at the Bell. Creativity is encouraged; what matters most is the ability to engage the audience while connecting something in the world of business to the world of DECA. The topic/theme of the 2025 challenge is Target Marketing Strategies.

Submissions due by:

October 31, 2025

Submit Register

Guidelines

NextGen Innovators Challenge

Flex your creativity, tech savvy and business expertise. Whether you’re launching an app or building a global brand, understanding how to engage users, personalize experiences and leverage data sets future leaders apart. The most successful businesses today use gamification, artificial intelligence and real-time data to keep customers coming back. Now it’s your turn to explore how they do it. Your team will take on a real-world design challenge inspired by the future of technology.

Submissions due by:

November 15, 2025

Submit Register

Guidelines

Social Media Marketing Challenge

Take charge of a dynamic simulated company, strategically allocating your ad budget to maximize revenue. Craft captivating content, engage target audiences and analyze your metrics across simulation rounds. Showcase your social media marketing skills in this exciting challenge.

Submissions due by:

December 1, 2025

Submit Register

Guidelines

Auction Marketing Campaign Challenge

Develop a marketing campaign for a full estate sale that will utilize the live auction method and include both real estate and personal property. Present your marketing campaign that will use social, print, and email direct marketing strategies in a video presentation.

Submissions due by:

December 15, 2025

Submit Register

Guidelines

Personal Branding Challenge

Develop a comprehensive personal brand that includes a logo, resumé and personal vision statement. Create your concept using Adobe Express tools and submit your project components on the template.

Submissions due by:

December 18, 2025

Submit Register

Guidelines

Disability Is Diversity Challenge

Create a focused Disability Is Diversity presentation that highlights the obstacles and experiences of navigating an educational environment with differing abilities. Learn firsthand about the barriers encountered by a student with a disability and determine how you can advocate for needed change.

Submissions due by:

December 19, 2025

Submit Register

Guidelines

Nestlé Professional Solutions (NPS) Beverage Marketing Challenge

Dive into B2B marketing in connection with students and foodservice operators. This includes developing marketing campaigns and messaging frameworks that translate NPS products into business benefits. You’ll also identify the “next big thing” in GenZ and GenAlpha beverage trends, and how NPS can bring those innovations to campus foodservice operators.

Submissions due by:

December 19, 2025

Submit Register

Guidelines

Social Impact Leader of Tomorrow Challenge

Demonstrate your creativity by producing the next big cause marketing idea for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. DECA chapters can participate by developing and executing a unique fundraising campaign with a social media component and video.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

Submit Register

Guidelines

Strategic School Procurement Challenge

Develop a strategic procurement plan to solve a real-world issue in your school—such as sourcing sustainable cafeteria food, upgrading classroom technology, or increasing local business participation in contracts. Your team will research ethical, sustainable, and value-driven procurement strategies and create a detailed written report outlining the problem, proposed solution, implementation approach, and expected impact. Then, bring your plan to life with a creative media piece designed to engage and inspire your community.

Submissions due by:

January 9, 2026

Submit Register

Guidelines

Community Impact Challenge

Demonstrate your creativity by producing the next community impact marketing idea for Infinity Insurance Agency. Develop a creative and impactful outreach campaign that will focus on bringing STEAM opportunities to underserved communities. Each team of up to three members will research non-profit and event opportunities in their local area and evaluate website strength and social media reach.

Submissions due by:

January 12, 2026

Submit Register

Guidelines

Lead4Change Community Service Challenge

Lead a team to identify a real problem in your community or school and develop a service project that creates impact. You’ll apply leadership skills to plan, promote, and implement your project—focusing on causes that matter most to you and your team members. Projects can address anything from mental health to school safety to hunger relief—it’s your choice. Your impact. Your legacy.

Submissions due by:

January 15, 2026

Submit Register

Guidelines

Food Truck Challenge

Create a unique food truck concept that meets the needs of a specific target market while effectively utilizing branding, design, and marketing strategies.

Submissions due by:

January 15, 2026

Submit Register

Guidelines

Power Perks Challenge

Ignite Gen Z’s career interest in the energy sector. As part of a dynamic creative agency, develop a compelling recruitment video about the energy industry and engaging social media assets that answer the crucial question for young talent: “What’s in it for me?” Dive into the world of workforce development and craft a campaign that showcases the exciting opportunities and impact of energy careers, attracting the bright minds of tomorrow.

Submissions due by:

January 16, 2026

Submit Register

Guidelines

Digital Presentation Skills Challenge

Demonstrate your digital presentation skills utilizing a Virtual Business simulation in a one- to two-minute digital presentation. The top finalists will deliver a live, digital presentation.

Submissions due by:

January 30, 2026

Submit Register

Guidelines

Career Cluster

Marketing

DECA CONNECTS

Connect to Courses, Curriculum + Careers

Related Courses

Career Pathways

Instructional Areas

Career Opportunities

COMPETITIVE EVENTS

Enrich the Classroom

Apparel and Accessories Marketing Series

Automotive Services Marketing Series

Business Services Marketing Series

Buying and Merchandising Operations Research

Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making

Food Marketing Series

Integrated Marketing Campaign-Event

Integrated Marketing Campaign-Product

Integrated Marketing Campaign-Service

Marketing Communications Series

Marketing Management Team Decision Making

Principles of Marketing

Professional Selling

Retail Merchandising Series

Sports and Entertainment Marketing Operations Research

Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series

Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making

Virtual Business Challenge-Fashion

Virtual Business Challenge-Retail

Virtual Business Challenge-Sports

Advertising Campaign

Business-to-Business Marketing

Digital Marketing Strategies

Entertainment Marketing

Fashion Merchandising and Marketing

International Marketing

Marketing Communications

Marketing Management

Professional Sales

Sales Management and Leadership

Sports Marketing

Case Studies + EXAMS

Integrate into Classroom Instruction

Marketing Communications

Marketing Communications

Marketing Communications

Marketing Communications

Marketing Communications

Marketing Communications

Marketing Exam

Marketing Exam

Marketing Exam

Marketing Management Team Decision Making

Marketing Management Team Decision Making

Marketing Management Team Decision Making

CORPORATE CHALLENGES

Apply Learning

DECA at the Bell Challenge

NextGen Innovators Challenge

Social Media Marketing Challenge

Auction Marketing Campaign Challenge

Personal Branding Challenge

Disability Is Diversity Challenge

Nestlé Professional Solutions (NPS) Beverage Marketing Challenge

Social Impact Leader of Tomorrow Challenge

Strategic School Procurement Challenge

Community Impact Challenge

Lead4Change Community Service Challenge

Food Truck Challenge

Power Perks Challenge

Digital Presentation Skills Challenge

EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES

Extend Learning Beyond The Classroom

Ultimate DECA Power Trip

Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference

DECA International Career Development Conference

Partners

Connect To Business

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Get Involved

Contact DECA staff
for more information.