1,000 SoCal businesspeople needed to judge DECA's business and marketing students

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- One thousand Southern California businesspeople who are supervisors, managers, directors and executives in the business, marketing, finance and hospitality and tourism fields are needed on Friday, April 26, 2013 to judge DECA's competitive events.

More than 15,000 high school students and advisors with interests in finance, hospitality and tourism, marketing and management will convene at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California for DECA's annual International Career Development Conference held April 24 – 27, 2013. Nearly 1,500 of their college counterparts will meet April 17 – 20, 2013, with 150 volunteer judges needed on Friday, April 19, 2013 at the Hilton Anaheim Hotel.

Southern California businesspeople wishing to volunteer their time and expertise should visit www.deca.org/events/judge or contact Shane Thomas, DECA's Director of Competitive Events, at (703) 860-5000 or [email protected]. Judge training is provided on-site the day of the event.

DECA members will compete against state/provincial finalists in one of DECA's 60+ competitive events based on industry and national curriculum standards. Students will compete in role-plays, case studies and prepared presentations in event categories such as Accounting, Advertising Campaign, Business Operations Research, Business Law and Ethics, Entrepreneurship, Fashion Merchandising, Hotel and Lodging Management, Restaurant Management, Retail Merchandising, Sales Management and Sports and Entertainment Marketing.

DECA members will pump more than $14 million into the California economy during these international conferences. More than 1 million square feet of convention center space will be used; 30,000 hotel room nights will be reserved; 15,000 tickets to area attractions will be purchased; 250,000 meals will be served and countless souvenirs will be purchased.

DECA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. DECA operates in all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico and Germany. The United States Congress, the United States Department of Education and the district, state and international departments of education authorize DECA's programs.

Quotes from Past DECA Judges

"Over the past 29 years I have followed the foundation concepts of social responsibility and have contributed back in many ways. Some of my most memorable experiences have been as a judge or mentor at local and international DECA events. To me everyone in business should do the same. Give back by shaping tomorrow's business leaders today."
     Daniel Pacheco, Owner
     Daniel Pacheco Counseling

"Judging the DECA conference was an enjoyable experience and a great way to serve the community. The high school students that participated in these events all tried very hard, were extremely bright, and I was impressed with the presentation and thought process of several groups that came through my judging station."
     Jennifer Love, Research Director
     KSL Television Sales

"Benjamin Franklin once said, 'all mankind is divided into three classes; those that are immovable, those that are moveable and those that move.' Acting in the capacity of a judge you get to see for yourself those young minds that are ready and willing to put in the work to become a mover. It is clearly a great opportunity to see students at their best in these creative positions."  
     Jared Youngman, V. P., Sales
     Utah Grizzlies

SOURCE DECA