1. Choosing the Best Category Competitive Events

2. Choosing a Category: Follow Your Passion Do you like sports? Consider Sports and Entertainment Marketing Are you a leader? Consider a Management Event Do you like numbers? Consider a Finance Cluster Event Do like to travel? Consider Hotel/Restaurant Management or Travel & Tourism Team Do you like fashion? Consider Apparel & Accessories Marketing Are you creative? Consider a Team Project Event or Professional Selling event Do you like to solve problems? Consider Human Resources Management Are you a beginner? Consider a Principles of Business Administration Event These are just a few of the MANY DECA competitive events…

3. Individual Series  4 Main Clusters  -Marketing  -Hospitality & Tourism  -Finance  -Business Management & Administration

4. Individual Series -13 different categories within the Individual Series Events -Each has a general cluster exam -However, the role play is specific to that category Note: You must continue in the SAME category that you compete in at Districts, at State and Nationals.

5. Principles of Business  Recommended for beginners (although not mandatory)  Is a good introduction to the 4 main cluster categories: Business Admin, Finance, Marketing, and Hospitality & Tourism

6. Team Decision Making Events -Same format as the Individual Series Events -Consists of role play and cluster exam -Longer prep time and longer presentation time -Work in teams of two

7. Professional Selling Events -Only 3 categories -20 minutes to present! -Instead of receiving the prompt directly beforehand, this is more project-based rather than improvisation -Able to create your presentation long beforehand, can use props and boards to aid with conveying your ideas -Still must take the written exam 

8. Written Events  Chapter Team Events: Teams of up to 3, no written exam, must submit written overview of project, 15 minutes to present. Consists of problem-solving projects, service projects, etc.  Business Operations Research Events: Teams of up to 3, no written exam, must submit written overview of project, 15 minutes to present. Consists of researching a business and presenting ways to improve their operations.  Business Management & Entrepreneurship Events: Some individual, some teams of up to 3, no written exam, must submit written overview of project, 20 minutes to present. Consists of presenting innovative ways to expand a business.  Marketing Representative Events: Teams of up to 3, must take written exam  AND submit written proposal, 20 minutes to present. Consists of advertising and developing a sales pitch to promote products in fashion merchandise as well as sports and entertainment.

9.  Follow your passion to find the category that best suits you and you will succeed! If you don’t make it to state or nationals do not be discouraged! There’s always next time to improve and refine your skills! Put time and effort into improving and you will develop!