With official conferences and competitions beginning in 2027, there are still many great ways to participate and qualify for ICDC in this fall semester. Here are three ways you can be able to engage with DECA these upcoming months:

Submit to Corporate Challenges

Corporate Challenges serve as a tangible opportunity for you to qualify for ICDC and win glass before you even step into Districts or SCDC. Hosted by partner organizations, Corporate Challenges invite DECA members to film videos, create pitch decks, and run projects. Notable challenges include the EHL Hospitality Business School’s Hospitality Sustainability Innovation Challenge where a group of 1 to 4 participants present a 5 minute pitch on a digital experience for strengthening the sustainability efforts of a hospitality brand. Additionally, the Knowledge Matters Digital Presentation Challenge invites students to develop a 1 to 2 minute presentation on any topic relating to one of the Knowledge Matters business simulations. Competing in these challenges not only sharpens your real-world business skills but also offers a great way to engage with DECA beyond the live conferences.

Apply for DECA Scholarships

If you are a Junior or Senior, DECA offers various scholarships that you may qualify for. Due on January 11 2027, these scholarships offer up to $2,500 for students interested in pursuing futures in any of the DECA clusters. DECA members can apply for two main types of scholarships: general regional awards (such as the Western Region DECA scholarship, which offers two $1,000 prizes) and corporate-sponsored awards (such as Raising Cane’s which provides five $1,000 scholarships to students either working at Raising Canes or interested in restaurant management and the food industry). Moreover, students participating in School-Based Entrepreneurships can also qualify for the NRF Foundation SBE Innovation scholarship and the Otis Spunkmeyer scholarship. Scholarships serve as a great way to both gain financial support for your college education but also extend your engagement with DECA.

Submit ICDC Merch Designs to California DECA

Beyond DECA Inc, California DECA also has opportunities for members to engage in. Each year at ICDC, California DECA provides students with goodie bags that include cowboy hats and t-shirts. This year, we are asking you to submit your designs for our ICDC merch. You can submit a design for a cowboy hat band or for the t-shirt. Winners will be recognized at our ICDC delegation meeting in Anaheim and will have their designs on all our official gear this April in Anaheim. If you are interested in submitting, follow the California DECA Instagram page (@californiadeca) to see updates regarding this competition.

Post by: Katie Ong | California DECA VP of Leadership

As the DECA season gets underway, MiniCons are one of the first opportunities to connect with other members, explore competitive events, and get involved for the year ahead. Whether you are attending your first MiniCon or have been to one before, these events are a great way to start the season surrounded by other members who share your interests.
With MiniCons soon approaching across California, now is the perfect time to think about how you can make the most of the experience.

Come With Multiple Goals

With workshops, activities, and members from different chapters all in one place, it can be easy to attend a MiniCon without knowing what you want to get out of it (other than a medal)!
Before you arrive, think about one or two things you want to accomplish. Maybe you want to better understand your competitive event, meet members from another chapter, or discover an opportunity you have not considered before.
Having a goal can help you stay engaged throughout the day and make the experience more meaningful.

Ask Questions

MiniCons bring together members with different levels of experience, making them a great place to ask questions.
If you are unsure about your event, ask someone who has competed before. If you hear about an opportunity you have never tried, ask how you can get involved. If another chapter shares an idea that interests you, ask them how they made it happen.
You might only have a short conversation, but that connection could turn into a new friendship, a future collaboration, or simply someone you look forward to seeing at the next DECA event.

Get Involved

Do not be afraid to participate beyond your competitive event.
Join discussions, contribute your ideas, volunteer when opportunities come up, and take part in activities even if they are outside of your comfort zone. MiniCons are a low-pressure opportunity to try something new before the season gets into full swing.
You never know which conversation or activity could become one of your favorite parts of the day.

Keep the Momentum Going

MiniCon is only the beginning of the DECA season.
After the event, think about what stood out to you and how you want to approach the months ahead. Maybe you feel more confident about your event, found a new goal, or met people you want to stay connected with.
Whatever you take away from the experience, use it as motivation to stay involved throughout the season.

As MiniCons begin across California, remember that you do not have to leave with everything figured out. Come ready to connect, participate, and start your DECA season with purpose. Even if your chapter is not participating in a MiniCon, use this semester to continue preparing for District and State Conferences by practicing your event to gain confidence!

Post by: Kate Park | NorCal DAT VP of Leadership

Stepping into the role of a DECA chapter officer can be a rewarding milestone, but also can be an intimidating experience. Whether you are a new officer or a seasoned president, the best way to strengthen your chapter is by learning from the experiences of others. To support your leadership journey, we asked some current chapter officers about their experience and what advice they would share to California DECA members. 

Think Towards Your Community 

Transitioning into the role of a chapter officer emphasizes shifting from personal growth to chapter development. When you step into a DECA leadership position, it is important to remember that you aren’t just aiming to qualify for ICDC, but you are also working towards improving your entire chapter’s DECA experience. As Vice President of Marketing Raina Rizwan from West Ranch High School explains, “strong leadership involves making an effort to connect with the people in your chapter. Being a new DECA member last year, I felt most welcomed when chapter officers personally reached out and talked to me.” Building connections especially with novice members is critical to the success of an officer and truly helps build a welcoming environment for your chapter. 

Expand Your Connections 

Being an officer also means looking beyond your school to work with members. Whether it is collaborating with a fellow chapter on a fundraiser or simply learning about different experiences by speaking to other members at conferences, take advantage of every DECA connection. Lynbrook DECA President Shreshta Ramji explains, “DECA offers a special chance to connect with individuals at an international level, and some of my closest friends in DECA have been people I met from different states or countries!” Building these friendships can not only strengthen your personal connections, but can also expand your chapter network. 

Leadership Beyond Titles 

As an officer, it’s important to not get hung up on titles. Leadership often goes beyond the outlined responsibilities of your position. For instance, you might take extra time outside of practice to explain performance indicators to a novice competitor or help organize unexpected logistic issues before SCDC. Vice President of Marketing Diego Saravia from Granada Hills Charter emphasizes this as he explains, “DECA taught me that leadership isn’t just about having a title. It’s about helping people around you become more confident and successful.” As you continue your DECA journey this year, consider how you want to support your entire chapter and not just the title you want to take away. 

This DECA season, remember being an officer goes beyond your own individual success. By shifting your focus towards your members, embracing connections, and stepping beyond your title, you can empower your chapter to become the Next Big Thing.

Post by: Katie Ong | California DECA VP of Leadership