State Career Development Conference
March 9-11, 2012
Dearborn, Michigan
This year’s conference, held in Dearborn, promises to be one of the most exciting, competitive and FUN Michigan DECAevents of the year! You will have the opportunity to meet and compete with over 3,000 Michigan DECA members from throughout the state and also meet important and influential business professionals. The SCDC is a time for you to develop your occupational and leadership skills as well as meet other fun and energetic Michigan DECA members.
After participating in competitive events during the day, you will have free time to meet and socialize with other Michigan DECA members. Members will also elect the new Michigan DECA State Executive Council who will lead us into another exciting DECA year!
The Michigan DECA SCDC gives you the opportunity to meet DECA members from around the state, interact with important business representatives, and last but not least, compete for a chance to represent Michigan DECA at the International Career Development Conference, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Highlights of the State Career Development Conference
The conference registration will start at 11:00am, with the first student activity at 2:00 pm A tentative program is available here. Please note, it is still subject to change. Delegates are responsible to read the conference program to know their event orientation and competition day and times.
Economics Applied Academics Certification
Delegates will take the test on Saturday. A certificate will be awarded to those who achieve minimum proficiency on the test. The top ten participants will receive special recognition.
Marketing Mathematics Applied Academics Certification
Delegates will take the test on Saturday. A certificate will be awarded to those who achieve minimum proficiency on the test. The top ten participants will receive special recognition.
Saturday Evening Activities
Special entertainment options will be provided for the delegates this year. We will be hosting a Hypnotist, as well as a Wii Lounge, DECA Rock Band Challenge, and a card & TV Sports Room between the hours of 9:00pm and 11:00pm.
Meals
Three (3) meals are included in the registration fee; dinner on Friday, and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Other meals will be the responsibility of each delegate/chapter.
Seating at Sessions
Schools that achieve the Pinnacle Membership Award in this year’s membership campaign will have reserved seating at an awards session of their choice. Refer to the membership campaign guidelines for more information. Seating for other schools will not be assigned. One seat will be allocated for each paid delegate. New chapters will have reserved seating at their opening session.
Opening Sessions
There will be two Opening Sessions on Friday evening. Four districts will be assigned to each session. New chapters will have reserved seating at this session only.
Awards Sessions
- Saturday Night Awards Sessions will recognize: Written Events, Chapter Awards, and Merit Awards.
- Sunday’s First Session will recognize: Team Events, Leadership & Teamwork, and the New State Executive Council
- Sunday’s Second Session will recognize: All Individual Events
Name Badges & Wrist Bands
All delegates (adult and student) must wear their name badges and wrist bands at all times. No one will be admitted to conference activities without a name badge and wrist band. If a delegate loses their wrist band or name badge, a replacement may be obtained in the conference headquarters for $5.00 each. Delegates will be required to show identification for a replacement name badge, or must have their Advisor with them.
Dress Code during the Conference
Business attire is required for all scheduled sessions and activities. During free time, shirts must have sleeves and no bare midriff. Skirts and shorts must be at least fingertip length. No cargo pants, jeans (denim material), T-shirts, sweatshirts, flip-flop sandals, or athletic shoes of any form will be allowed during the competition or at sessions! Delegates’ clothing must be neat and in good repair in order to compete, attend the sessions, or be allowed on stage. Delegates wearing any of these items will be sent to change, before being allowed to compete or attend any conference sessions. Please refer to the Michigan DECA Dress Code for more information.
Code of Conduct & Medical Treatment Authorization Forms
Each delegate, student and adult, must sign the Code of Conduct & Medical Treatment Form. These forms must be hand-carried to the conference. Do not send them to the Michigan DECA office.
No alcoholic beverages or drugs may be possessed by any delegate at the conference. This is a school function. Delegates may not enter the lounges at the hotels. Students suspected of being under the influence of alcohol will be required to take a breath alcohol test as specified by state law. A uniformed police officer will be on site during the evening hours of the conference.
Private Autos at the Conference
The use of private automobiles will not be permitted after arrival at the conference. Car doors shall be locked upon arrival, and the keys turned over to the chapter advisor.
Conference Hotels
Michigan DECA Policy requires that all competitors stay at one of the official conference hotels. Conference Registrations will not be accepted for schools that are not staying at one of the official conference hotels.
The main conference hotel will be the Hyatt Regency Dearborn. Most events will be taking place here, as well as the opening and award sessions. Some events will be scheduled to take place in the DoubleTree Hotel.
Hyatt Regency Dearborn DoubleTree 600 Town Center Drive 5801 Southfield Service Drive Dearborn, Michigan 48126 Detroit, Michigan 48223 (313) 593-1234 313-336-3340
Refunds
Refunds will be given only if Michigan DECA is notified of the cancellation in writing. Cancellations must be submitted on the Refund Request Form to receive your chapter’s refund.
Refund Schedule
Before February 10 = 100% refund
February 10 to 24 = 50% refund
February 24 to March 2 = 25% refund
After March 2 = No Refund
Substitution Policy
Chapter Advisors have volunteered to double check each State Conference registration to be sure that chapters are following the substitution policy and that the correct qualifiers from the District Conferences are advancing on to the State Conference. You should fully explain to students that they will not be able to compete if one member of the team is unable for any reason to attend the next level of competition.
Planning Ahead? Future dates and locations:
- March 15-17, 2013 – Grand Rapids, Michigan
- March 14-16, 2014 – Dearborn, Michigan
- March 13-15, 2015 – Grand Rapids, Michigan