DISTRIBUTIVE EDUCATION CLUBS OF AMERICA

Founded in 1946, DECA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) with more than 200,000 high school members, 4,500 advisors, and 15,000 postsecondary collegiate division members around the world. DECA is authorized and supported by the United States Congress, as well as the federal and state Departments of Education. The student members of DECA are smart, dedicated individuals already actively involved in preparing for successful careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. DECA is co-curricular and designed to be an integral part of the classroom instructional program. DECA provides teachers and members with educational and leadership development activities to merge with the classroom instructional program, teaching the skills that a successful career in business requires. DECA uses on-the-job experience, chapter projects, and a standards-based competitive events program in more than 35 specific occupational areas. Each year, more than 112,000 members participate in competitions on the local, state/provincial, and international levels with over 800 participants at the Nevada DECA State Career Development Conference.