Louisiana DECA

DECA is an academic, professional high school association of students with a career interest in marketing, entrepreneurship, management, finance, and travel/tourism/hospitality. DECA's mission is to provide opportunities through conferences, workshops, and networking experiences for professional development, leadership training, career building, and community service.

Preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.

Louisiana DECA was formed in 1947 under the national DECA organization. It provides visibility and support and is an important tool in the advocacy of high school marketing, finance, management, travel & tourism, and entrepreneurship program and in highlighting student achievement and success.

DECA is the only student organization operating in 50 states, the U.S. Territories, Canada, Mexico, Germany and other countries and attracts individuals to productive careers in marketing, management, merchandising, travel/tourism, and entrepreneurship. It is a co-curricular organization and serves as an integral part of the classroom instructional program.

Any student enrolled in marketing-related education where there is a DECA chapter can join DECA. In schools where there is no marketing class, chapters can be organized through classes that are related to marketing (i.e. entrepreneurship, Travel and Tourism Academies, etc.). In classrooms throughout the country, students form their own chapters and elect their own officers. Marketing education teachers/coordinators serve as individual chapter advisors. DECA chapters are self-supportive, with members paying chapter, state association, and national membership dues.

DECA advisors and chapter members take an active part in the development and growth of the communities in which they live and work. Students learn, while still in school, vocational understanding necessary to compete in marketing, management, merchandising, and entrepreneurship careers. These career-oriented young people are actively involved in creative marketing projects directly related to the careers of their choice.

DECA chapter activities contribute substantially to the primary purpose of school to develop well-educated citizens who have self-confidence, self-esteem, leadership ability, and an understanding of the American Free Enterprise System. DECA chapters are invariably "showcases" for student achievement and progress, reflecting favorably on teachers, DECA advisors, and school administrators at both the local and state level.

La. DECA State Career Development Conference (CDC)-opening session is last Sunday of each month and lasts for 3 days in Baton Rouge
La. DECA Fall Leadership Conference-opening session is first Sunday in October and lasts for 3 days in various cities around the state each year
La. DECA Sports Marketing Career Conference-first Friday in December with N.O. Hornets if there is a scheduled game that night
DECA International Career Development Conference-last week in April and first few days of May each year in various cities around U.S.

La. DECA needs business people in the areas of marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, travel & tourism, and management to spend 3-4 hours one day a year to judge students who are competing in over 35 events related to these industries.  Students are either judged through role-playing business situations, interviews, business presentations, or critical thinking/problem solving situations.  This is the perfect way for a business to give something to the education of our Louisiana youth.

DECA's Guiding Principles

DECA's Comprehensive Learning Program
(1) Integrates into Classroom Instruction-activities provide authentic, experiential learning methods to prepare members for college and careers
(2) Applies Learning-members put their knowledge into action through rigorous project-based activities that require creative solutions with practical outcomes.
(3) Connects to Business-partnerships with businesses at local and broader levels provide DECA members realistic insight into industry and promote meaningful, relevant learning.
(4) Promotes Competition-as in the global economy, a spark of competition drives DECA members to excel and improve their performance.

DECA Prepares the Next Generation to be
(1) Academically Prepared--members are ambitious, high-achieving leaders equipped to conquer the challenges of their aspirations.
(2) Community Oriented-recognizing the benefit of service and responsibility to the community, DECA members continually impact and improve their local and broader communities.
(3) Professionally Responsible-members are poised professionals with ethics, integrity and high standards.
(4) Experienced Leaders-members are empowered through experience to provide effective leadership through goal setting, consensus building and project implementation.