High School Students Aim to be 'All Business' at DECA's 64th International Career Development Conference in Louisville, April 24-27, 2010

LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) will host its 64th annual International Career Development Conference (ICDC) April 24 – 27, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. Expected to draw more than 15,000 DECA members, advisors, alumni and affiliated businesspeople, the ICDC will kick off on April 24 with the Grand Opening Session at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

During the school year, 120,000 of DECA's 185,000 high school student members take part in the organization's co-curricular Competitive Events Program, where they vie with one another at local and state competitions built around real-life situations in marketing, management and entrepreneurship to win awards and recognition. The top state winners will now put their talents to the test during the program's final round of competition in Louisville.

"The ICDC represents the highest level of career competition and leadership training that our members receive," said DECA Executive Director Edward L. Davis.  "We are confident that the skills they learn here, as well as in our programs throughout the year, will prepare them to excel in all areas of business in the future."

DECA's 2010 conference also will highlight the organization's partnerships with national and international brands like Safeway, Finish Line and Marriott International. DECA's corporate partners support an array of educational programs throughout the year, and serve as models of business excellence and corporate social responsibility. For example, Safeway sponsors competitive events in food marketing as well as DECA's community service competition, which benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

MDA representatives, including Luke Christie, MDA National Youth Chairman and ICDC representative, also will attend the 2010 conference. This year, DECA will present the organization with a check for approximately $500,000. During the course of their multi-year relationship with the MDA, DECA chapters have donated more than $5 million to the organization.

"I want to thank DECA for their continued support," said Christie. "I am always inspired when I get to the ICDC and get to meet all the young people here who have worked so hard and given so much of their time to make a difference.  Their efforts never cease to amaze me, and I am grateful to be part of such a fun and exciting event."

In addition to the learning sessions, competitions and other educational forums, attendees will get to kick back and enjoy a private performance by Lady Antebellum, which won Country Music Awards' Vocal Group of 2009 and, currently, has the number-one smash hit, "Need You Now."

This year's event marks the second time that the ICDC has been held in Louisville. The economic impact to the city of Louisville is anticipated to be $14 million, including an estimated 30,000 hotel rooms occupied, 250,000 meals served and 15,000 tickets to area attractions sold during the course of the conference.

DECA also is using the annual event as a call-to-action for its members to vote for a $250,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant (www.refresheverything.com/decainspires). DECA has entered its Competitive Events Program, which provides career skills and scholarships for students, and its Professional Program, which provides classroom resources and support for teachers.  All of DECA's programming is designed to inspire young people to assume leadership roles in their school, community and in their career areas of interest.  Pepsi Refresh Grants are determined by popular vote, which began on April 1 and runs through April 30, 2010.  

About DECA

DECA is a 501-(C) (3) not-for-profit student organization preparing its membership for careers in marketing, management and entrepreneurship.  DECA operates in all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico and Germany. The Unites States Congress, the United States Department of Education and the state, district and international departments of education authorize DECA's programs. For more information about DECA programs and the 2010 ICDC, please visit www.deca.org.

SOURCE DECA