2026 Competition Details Released!
For official rules, deadlines, and updates, please refer to the competition organizer. Aralia provides competition information for student reference and is not affiliated with the competition organizer.
DECA International Career Development Conference ICDC
The DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) brings together thousands of high school and college students to compete in business-focused events across areas like marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. This event emphasizes skill-building, networking, and leadership development with competitions judged by industry professionals. Participants must qualify through regional or state events, and submissions vary by category, typically including role-play scenarios, written reports, and presentations.
Interested in the competition?
Competition Overview
Eligibility
Students in grades 7-12 who are official DECA members on a DECA roster
Entry Fee
Fee paid by the chartered organization, from $100-105 per attendee
Deadline for chartered associations to submit conference registration
March 19, 2026
Conference Date
April 25-28, 2026 in Atlanta, GA
Competition Details
1. Participation Guide
- Find Your School’s DECA Team: Confirm your school has a DECA team and connect with the advisor to join. Each chartered association has different eligibility guidelines to be qualified for the DECA International Career Development Conference
- Choose a Competition Event: Select an event that matches your interests and skills.
- Compete in Regional/State Events: Qualify for higher stages through local competitions.
- Advance to ICDC: Exceptional performance at regional levels earns a spot at the international competition.
2. Eligibility
To compete at ICDC, participants must meet the following requirements:
- Membership & Eligibility: Must be active DECA members with dues submitted before February 15. They must have competed at the local, district, association, or online level.
- All participants and written entries must be officially approved by their chartered association.
- A participant may only compete in one competitive event with a participatory component at ICDC.
- A written project may be entered in only one event per year and can’t be reused in future ICDC competitions.
3. Awards
DECA’s International Career Development Conference recognizes students for outstanding performance through a variety of awards.
- Certificate of Achievement: All ICDC competitors receive a digital certificate recognizing their qualification for the conference.
- Certificate of Excellence: Competitors scoring 70% or higher across all event components earn an additional certificate for exceptional performance.
- Achievement Awards: Top exam and presentation scorers receive silver- or blue-ribbon medallions, with the highest section performers named finalists.
- Grand Awards: The top ten finalists are recognized on stage, with the top three earning trophies.
- Cash Awards: All first-place teams receive at least $100, with some events offering higher prizes through corporate sponsors.
Top performers at the ICDC will also receive sponsored awards:
- 1st Place – $1,000 per team
- 2nd Place – $500 per team
- 3rd Place – $250 per team
- 4th–10th Place – $100 each per team
Class Recommendation
Prepare to compete at the highest level