DECA Conference 3 — Grand Rapids is host to the Michigan DECA State Career Development Conference where high school students are recognized on stage in front of their peers as the top marketing students in Michigan.

Opportunity prepares students to compete for spot at the international career conference in Orlando, FL

by Sarah Cavanaugh and Janice Limbaugh

This coming weekend, Grand Rapids will be host to over 3,600 high school students from throughout the state at the Michigan DECA State Career Development Conference. The conference, to be held at DeVos Place Convention Center and the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, will provide students the opportunity to interact with other members, meet and greet with over 500 business and community representatives, and compete in over 47 events for a chance to represent Michigan DECA at the International Career Conference, April 24-29, in Orlando, Florida.

“Because of its business and entrepreneurial culture, Grand Rapids provides the perfect environment for business professionals to interact with and evaluate student members as they solve real-life business scenarios,” said David Wait, State Director, Michigan DECA. “This feedback helps the students improve their skills while receiving recognition for their achievement.”

Students meet one-on-one with business professionals . — Students have the unique opportunity to meet one-on-one with business professionals .

Representing a variety of industries, the over 500 business professionals have designed 47 competitive events to help students develop the skills necessary for successful careers in marketing, management and merchandising. Companies such as Meijer, Ford Motor Company and MASCOT, meet one-on-one with the students and evaluate the student’s abilities. Each of the competitive events provide students a constructive avenue for individual and team expression, initiative and creativity. Additional business professionals are needed to assist in judging the various competitions and can sign up by visiting: http://mideca.org/support/be-ajudge/.

Forty-seven competitive events help build student's self-esteem and team building skills. — Forty-seven competitive events help build student’s self-esteem and team building skills.

“Once students demonstrate their acquired skills, they are recognized on stage in front of their peers as the top marketing students in Michigan,” said Wait. “These events truly improve upon the student’s self-image and success patterns of each student. This conference is such a worthwhile experience for students who not only wish to advance in their career, but learn necessary life skills for any future endeavors.”

There’s more fun and games scheduled for the students during the conference, including attending a Grand Rapids Griffins game and the election of the new Michigan DECA State Executive Council.

For more information on Michigan DECA, visit: www.MIDeca.org.

Michigan DECA is a tax-exempt, not for profit 501(C)(3) educational association and is affiliated with National DECA, located in Reston, Virginia. DECA is the only international student organization operating through schools to attract young people to careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Its purpose is to teach occupational proficiency and to promote the understanding and appreciation for the responsibilities of citizenship in our free, competitive enterprise system. Michigan DECA is supported by a project grant to the Department of Business and Technology Education, in the College of Technology at Eastern Michigan University, from the Michigan Department of Education. The office is located at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan.