SV CDC

Aum Patel: “SVCDC went great! I loved watching y’all push yourself to compete in your events, as well as make the most of the opportunity to network with members of other chapters. Our opening session was full of exciting activities with a bingo game, round robin, and a Keynote speaker. On Saturday, after you all CRUSHED your competitive events, we had a game room setup where so many members came to relax and play games with their friends, as well as meet people from other chapters. On Sunday, we got to recognize our winners! Thank you so much if you came to SVCDC, and I look forward to meeting you at SCDC.”

NorCal CDC

Ella Min: “Norcal CDC was a huge success! I loved seeing everyone network, connect, and excel in their competitive events. I also loved playing trivia with everyone in the opening session, and getting to see everyone get glass at their closing. It was so fun to see people enjoy the DECA dance and the DECA game night, where everyone could relax after competition. Thank you so much to our judges, alumni, advisors, and everyone who put this event together to make it all happen. See you next year Norcal!”

SoCal CDC

Rayyan Darugar: “Hey California DECA! Socal CDC this year was an absolutely unforgettable experience. It was an amazing chance for members of DECA to learn, grow, and have a great time. I wanted to share a few highlights and parts that I really loved at the conference: I just wanted to start off by saying the opening session was so much fun. To see all of you guys in person and have you guys take place in some games, do some trivia—congratulations again to our winners—and the energy, you guys absolutely brought it; that’s one thing I can say about SoCal is that we always bring the energy and I’m so proud of you guys for making that happen. The second thing I really wanted to highlight was competition. We had some great workshops, we had some great speakers and performers, and when it came to competition itself, SoCal we brought our A-Game. Test scores were high, our roleplays were high, you could see the energy in the room as you guys were able to Be The One in competition, so really proud to have that. Another big thing was a chance to make connections in the DECA game room. It was a great experience, I personally got to play a few games with you all—Super Smash Bros is always enjoyable—and board games throughout! I cannot wait for States coming up in just a few weeks so be ready for that.

The Silicon Valley Career Development Conference (SVCDC) was such an amazing experience! From exciting workshops to great competition, the Silicon Valley chapters came back with so many new skills, fresh ideas, and tons of motivation for states! The conference was full of learning, meeting new people, and understanding what leadership in DECA is really all about. Here’s what we took away from this unforgettable weekend!

Leadership, Creativity, and Everything In Between

One of the best parts of SVCDC was the workshops! We got to attend sessions like “Catapult Your Career with Creativity” and “Thinking Like a High Performer”, where we learned how to solve problems in creative ways and think like leaders. Turns out, being creative is all about looking at challenges from a different angle and finding unique solutions. We also learned how to communicate like pros. Whether it’s delivering a roleplay pitch or leading our chapter, being able to speak clearly and confidently makes a huge difference. The workshops reminded us that anyone can be a great leader as long as they stay open to new ideas, adapt to challenges, and inspire others.

Kicking the Competition!

The competitive events at SVCDC ran like clockwork, thanks to the incredible effort of the coordinators, judges, and volunteers. Everything was so well-organized, from check-ins to feedback sessions, and it made competing feel smooth and stress-free. It was clear that everyone behind the scenes worked hard to make the conference a great experience for all of us.

What stood out most was seeing how newer and growing chapters performed. Many of them brought fresh energy and creativity to their events, proving that you don’t need to be a large chapter to make a big impact. Watching these chapters step up and shine was so amazing. We are so excited to see their growth, and thrilled to work with these new and upcoming chapters.

Making Connections in the DECA Game Room

After all the workshops and competition, we got to hang out in the DECA Game Room, and it was so much fun! It was a great way to meet other members, play games, and share stories about our DECA journeys. We even picked up some new tips from other chapters about how they run their meetings and competitive prep. It was such a great reminder that DECA isn’t just individual chapters, it’s about a bigger community.

Looking Ahead

SVCDC 2025 was way more than just a conference, it was a chance for all of us to grow as leaders and teammates. We learned so much, made some amazing memories, and left with ideas that we can’t wait to bring back to our chapter. Samay Sikri, our new Silicon Valley Vice President, said it best: “I am so honored and privileged to serve as the 2025–2026 Silicon Valley Vice President! Silicon Valley, get ready for a great year ahead of us!” We’re so excited to take what we’ve learned and turn it into action. From building stronger teams to helping every member grow, this year is going to be one for the books, and we will see you at states!

Team 74 at WRLC: Expanding Our Horizons

This year’s Western Region Leadership Conference (WRLC) was an incredible experience for Team 74! From interactive workshops to fun activities that bonded us as a team, we came back inspired, energized, and ready to lead our chapter to new heights. The conference was packed with valuable sessions, amazing networking opportunities, and a chance to experience what leadership truly means within DECA. Here’s a recap of what we took away from this experience.

Pitching Sustainability Workshop

One of the highlights of WRLC for our team was attending the Pitching Sustainability Workshop. This session focused on sustainable business practices, covering key areas such as respectful and secure work environments aligned with OSHA standards, wage systems that ensure equal pay for different roles, and the importance of making smart material choices. We also discussed resource stewardship and circular systems, which aim to create efficient, waste-reducing business models. The facilitators emphasized how to effectively pitch these sustainability initiatives by making them easy to visualize for stakeholders in terms of revenue and profit. The biggest takeaway? Ensure that your pitch is relevant and solves a real problem – authenticity is crucial.

Professionalism Workshop

The professionalism workshop provided valuable insights on how to maintain a professional demeanor in various situations. We learned about effective communication, including crafting impactful elevator pitches, which are useful not only in DECA competitions but also in real-world professional settings. The workshop highlighted the importance of body language, eye contact, and active listening in creating a strong professional presence. We left this session with a deeper understanding of how to present ourselves confidently and effectively, no matter the scenario.

DECA Bingo: Fun and Connection

DECA Bingo turned out to be a fantastic way to relax, unwind, and connect with members from other chapters. This activity was designed to help us meet new people, share experiences, and learn about how other chapters are navigating their challenges. It reminded us of the importance of collaboration and that we’re all part of something bigger. Networking can be both productive and fun, and DECA Bingo was the perfect way to build connections in a relaxed setting.

Expanding Our Leadership Toolkit

The workshop on expanding our leadership skills explored different qualities of effective leaders, such as adaptability, empathy, and decision-making under pressure. We learned about the “Leadership Compass,” a tool that helps identify different leadership styles and understand how to bring together a balanced team. This understanding will help us better support our chapter by leveraging the strengths of our members. We also discussed how to handle challenges and lead effectively during uncertain times, which will be instrumental as we take on future projects.

Takeaways for the Future

WRLC 2024 was much more than just a conference; it was a transformative experience that left us with a toolbox of practical leadership skills, strategies for promoting sustainability, and the motivation to take our chapter to the next level. From the workshops to the social activities, every part of the conference was a chance to grow – both as individuals and as a team. We’re excited to take what we’ve learned and put it into action, making our chapter more impactful and ready to face new challenges.

We can’t wait to share these new ideas with the rest of our chapter and encourage everyone to join us next year for another unforgettable DECA adventure!