DECA International Career Development Conference 2026

The DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) is the culmination of the DECA year. More than 25,000 high school students, teacher-advisors, business professionals and alumni gather for several days of career preparation, leadership development, and overall excitement. DECA members demonstrate their college and career-ready knowledge and skills by participating in DECA's industry-validated Competitive Events Program, aligned with Career Clusters, National Curriculum Standards, and 21st Century Skills in the areas of marketing, finance, hospitality, management, and entrepreneurship. These members have qualified to attend based on superior performance at the district and association levels. More than 1,000 business professionals serve as judges to evaluate members' mastery of these concepts. In addition, thousands of members participate in DECA's Emerging Leader Series, which helps them attain 21st Century Skills in the areas of collaboration and teamwork, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving and creativity. One highlight is the involvement of executive mentors who provide college and career advice. Thousands of DECA advisors and educators participate in administering DECA's Competitive Events Program and Emerging Leader Series while also participating in professional learning activities. The conference supports educational initiatives such as Career Clusters, National Curriculum Standards, 21st Century Skills, Common Core State Standards, Project-based Learning, and Personal Financial Literacy.