DECA is a global student organization preparing emerging leaders in marketing, finance, hospitality, entrepreneurship, and business management. High school students join through a school-based DECA chapter and participate in competitive events that test real-world career knowledge and skills. Events span six career clusters: Business Management and Administration, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Hospitality and Tourism, Marketing, and Personal Financial Literacy.
Competition follows a tiered structure: chapter events feed into district and state competitions, with top performers qualifying for the International Career Development Conference (ICDC). ICDC 2027 takes place April 17-20 in Anaheim, California, drawing more than 25,000 high school students, advisors, and business professionals, with over 10,000 competitive event finalists. The conference also includes the Emerging Leader Series, a College and Career Exhibits hall with 100+ exhibitors, School-based Enterprise Academy sessions, and executive officer campaigns. Travel scholarships for ICDC are available through the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.
DECA chapters exist at schools across the US and in several other countries. Students without a chapter can work with a teacher to start one. Membership fees and competition registration costs vary by chapter and state.