District Conferences
Congratulations to all that competed at the District Conferences!
District 1 – January 21, 2012 at Northwood University
District 2 – January 4, 2012 at Ferris State University
District 3 - December 20, 2011 at Kalamazoo Valley Comm. College
District 4 – January 6, 2012 at Eastern Michigan University
District 5 – January 12, 2012 at Eastern Michigan University
District 6 – January 7, 2012 at West Bloomfield High School
District 7 – January 14, 2012 at Lake Orion High School
District 8 – January 20, 2012 at Ferndale High School
Each year, DECA District Conferences give students their first opportunity to compete in chosen events and meet other members from their district. Each of the eight Michigan districts holds a one day conference where the top performers in each category earn the right to compete at the Michigan DECA State Career Development Conference (SCDC) held in Grand Rapids or Dearborn (alternating years).
For new and returning DECA members, this conference is their first chance of the year to put their marketing and business knowledge to the test in the competitive events. Aside from the competitions, students also get to meet and network with DECA members from neighboring schools and chapters.
Students may compete in individual or team events and work on written marketing projects. The students take tests and compete in impromptu role-play situations in their chosen marketing career area.
Important Dates and Deadlines for all District Conferences
Please note that chapter and/or school deadlines may be earlier than those posted here. Please check with your Chapter Advisor for more information.
- November 11, 2011 – Proctor Registration Forms are due
- November 21, 2011 – District Conference registration deadline
- November 21, 2011 – Last day to drop students with refund. Substitutions and Event Changes only after this date.
- December 5-16, 2011 – Online testing window
Conduct
Remind your delegates of the Delegate Code of Conduct they are to sign for the conference. These forms must be brought with the Advisor to the conference.
Attire
Please refer to the Dress Code for more information.
Online Testing
Online testing will be utilized for all District Conference Comprehensive Exams. Once registered for the District Conference, students will be automatically registered for online testing. Refer to the Online Testing webpage for more information.
Advisors may purchase copies of the Comprehensive Exams used this year for online testing through Michigan DECA, as well as copies of previous year’s exams. We will mail copies of the 2010 and 2011 exams as soon as we receive the order form. Copies of the 2012 exams will be shipped in January.
Written Events
Competition will take place at the District Conference for the Advertising Campaign, Entrepreneurship Participating Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan, Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling Event, Professional Selling Event, and the Sports and Entertainment Promotion Plan events. The top three entries at each District Conference will advance to compete at the State Conference. These written events are to be hand-carried to the District Conference. Those that qualify to advance to the State Conference must resubmit the revised folio by the February 17th deadline for the Written Event Screening.
Chaperones
Chapters are recommended to have one adult for every ten (10) students. Schools with more than 20 students attending must have at least two adults assisting with the conference.
Judges Needed
Judges are an integral part of the conference. Each chapter must register and bring judges according to the policy for your District Conference.
Refunds
Refunds will not be given after the conference registration date.
Awards
Medallions will be presented to the top finalists in each event. Bronze medallions with red, white, and blue ribbons will be presented to the top overall finalists in each occupational area. These individuals will be eligible to represent your district at the State Career Development Conference. Bronze Merit Award Participants will be recognized and receive a Bronze Merit Award Program certificate.
Supplies
Remind students to bring pencils and non-programmable calculators. Graphing Calculators, Cell phones and PDAs may not be used as a calculator.
Potential Candidates for State Officers
All students interested in running for State Office will be invited to give a speech at their district conference. No elections will take place at the conference. Refer to the Running for Office page for more information.
Substitution Policy
Please be aware of Michigan DECA’s Substitution Policy before entering students into team events. You should fully explain to students that they will not be able to compete if one of them is unable for any reason to attend the next level of competition.