A new school year means new opportunities, and DECA’s 2026–2027 Guide is packed with exciting updates designed to help members develop real-world business skills, strengthen their leadership abilities, and prepare for success beyond high school. Centered around this year’s theme, “The NEXT BIG THING,” DECA encourages members to think beyond today’s possibilities and become the innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders who will shape tomorrow.

The NEXT BIG THING

This year’s theme challenges members to look toward the future. Whether it’s growing a chapter to record membership, creating an award-winning competitive event project, launching a new school initiative, or developing an entrepreneurial idea, DECA wants members to focus on creating meaningful impact rather than simply participating.

Important Program Updates

Several significant changes have been introduced for the 2026–2027 competitive season.

Prepared event presentations and written entries will now each account for 50% of the overall score, creating a more balanced evaluation. Career Competencies have replaced the previous 21st Century Skills framework, aligning DECA more closely with national career readiness standards. Team Decision Making events have been streamlined to include only five performance indicators, while new standardized presentation criteria and updated evaluation rubrics provide judges with clearer scoring expectations. Additionally, Adobe Express is now required in portions of several Chapter Campaign submissions, encouraging members to build stronger digital communication skills.

Corporate Challenges: One of DECA’s Most Exciting Opportunities

One of the highlights of this year’s guide is the expanded lineup of DECA Challenges. These challenges are created alongside major corporate and nonprofit partners, allowing members to solve authentic business problems while building their portfolios and competing for recognition at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC).

Unlike traditional competitive events, many challenges focus on creativity, digital media, marketing strategy, and innovation. They allow students to work on projects over several weeks or months, creating solutions that mirror the work completed by professionals in today’s business world.

Some of this year’s featured challenges include:

• Social Influence in the Real-World Challenge – Explore how persuasion and marketing influence consumer behavior through a creative advertising campaign.
• DECA at the Bell Challenge – Produce an original business-focused video episode centered around this year’s topic: Positioning.
• Hospitality Sustainability Innovation Challenge – Design a sustainability initiative that encourages hotel guests to participate in environmentally friendly practices.
• Social Impact Leader Challenge – Partner with the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation to develop an original fundraising and cause-marketing campaign that inspires action while showcasing business strategy.
• Procurement for the Public Good Challenge – Research and recommend purchasing solutions that improve efficiency and value for schools or community organizations.
• Future of Accounting Challenge – Create a marketing strategy that helps attract more students to accounting careers while promoting student engagement with the accounting profession.
• Insurance Pathways Innovation in Action Challenge – Develop a business plan for a next-generation insurance agency that appeals to Gen Z talent.
• Food Truck Challenge – Build an original food truck concept complete with branding, target market analysis, and marketing strategy.
• Personal Branding Challenge – Design your own professional brand, including a logo, résumé, and vision statement using Adobe Express.
• Digital Presentation Skills Challenge and Social Media Marketing Simternship™ – Develop practical presentation and digital marketing skills through simulations and interactive business scenarios.

These challenges provide students with valuable experience beyond traditional competition. Participants practice video production, branding, digital marketing, research, budgeting, strategic planning, and creative problem-solving while building projects that can strengthen college applications, resumes, and professional portfolios. Because many challenges involve nationally recognized companies and organizations, members also gain exposure to current industry trends and expectations.

For members looking to expand their DECA experience beyond role-plays and written events, these challenges offer an excellent opportunity to showcase creativity while solving authentic business problems.

Looking Ahead

From updated competitive events to expanded leadership opportunities and innovative corporate challenges, the 2026–2027 DECA Guide reinforces DECA’s mission of preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. Whether members are competing, leading their chapter, participating in school-based enterprises, or tackling real-world business challenges, this year’s programs are designed to help students discover their “Next Big Thing” while developing skills that will benefit them long after graduation.

Check out the official guide here!:

As the school year comes to an end, the countdown for the next competitive season begins. With exams and classes finally finished, this summer becomes a great opportunity to get ahead of the game and prepare for the 2026 – 2027 DECA year. Here are three strategic steps you can take this summer to strengthen your competitive edge.

Choose Your Event

Summer break serves as a great opportunity to evaluate your performance from the past DECA season. Ask yourself questions such as “Did I enjoy competing in my event?” or “Did the format of this competition align with my strengths?”. These questions help evaluate if you should continue with the event you previously competed in. By choosing your event early, you have a head start in understanding what clusters and topics to prepare for. More importantly, if you were a first year member that participated in a Principles event, consider looking into a new event as you cannot compete in the Principles category as a 2nd year member. If you are choosing a new event, ask others in your chapter that previously competed in that category or search up sample roleplays and papers via the DECA website.

Read DECA’s Newest Competitive Event Information

To kickstart the 2026 – 2027 DECA season, DECA Direct has already posted new event topics and updates. If you are interested in competing in Business Operations, Financial Consulting, or Professional Selling events, consider reading through the new topics so your project can align with the right theme. Additionally, on July 1st, DECA will release the official DECA Guide, which will include corporate challenge information, full competitive event updates, and more information to assist you in the upcoming school year. Reading these briefs are a great way to understand any changes DECA makes with the competition.

Take Practice Tests

If you are competing in a roleplay, Integrated Marketing, or Professional Selling event, remember that the presentation is only half of the battle. Often, a strong test score is what separates glass winners, so the summer is a great time to improve your exam performance. By taking practice tests and reviewing unfamiliar terms a few times a week, you can build the foundation that will put you ahead of competition in the next school year. If your school has a DECA+ subscription, consider using the practice exams there or search up key term Quizlets.

Take advantage of this summer and get ahead with your competitive preparation so you can be the Next Big Thing in the 2026 – 2027 DECA year!

The 2025-2026 California DECA year has officially come to an end. To celebrate the incredible growth and success, many chapters have hosted end-of-year banquets to recognize outstanding members, welcome new officers, and say bittersweet goodbyes as the summer begins. Here is a look at how each of California’s three districts closed out an unforgettable year.

Northern California

Throughout the 2025-2026 school year, members, advisors, and chapter leaders across the Northern California district demonstrated incredible dedication, leadership, and enthusiasm, making this a truly memorable year for the NorCal community. One of the highlights of the spring season were chapter banquets across the district, including those of Castro Valley, Foothill, Washington, Dublin, and Amador Valley High School. These events provided an opportunity for the District Action Team and chapter members to celebrate accomplishments, recognize outstanding leaders, and network. It was inspiring to see the passion and commitment that continue to drive DECA members throughout Northern California. Thank you to every member, advisor, and chapter who contributed to the success of this year. NorCal DECA is proud of all that was accomplished and looks forward to what the future holds for this district.

Southern California

That same energy showed up in Southern California, where SoCal DECA members had the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the year through chapter banquets and end-of-year events. These gatherings recognized outstanding members and leaders while providing opportunities for chapters to reflect on their achievements and impact throughout the year. From competitive success to community involvement and chapter growth, it was inspiring to witness the passion that continues to define SoCal DECA. As one of the fastest-growing districts in California DECA, SoCal DECA is incredibly proud of the expansion and success of chapters across the region. Chapter banquets and celebrations were held throughout Southern California, with schools including Canyon Crest Academy, Portola High School, Valencia High School, West Ranch High School, and many others coming together to recognize members and celebrate another successful year. Thank you to every member, advisor, and chapter who helped make this year such a success. Your commitment, leadership, and passion continue to strengthen the SoCal DECA community, and we cannot wait to see all that the 2026–2027 school year has in store.

Silicon Valley

Lastly, Silicon Valley DECA chapters concluded the school year through celebrations of their members’ successes, honoring their outgoing leaders, and preparing for what lies ahead in the coming year. Chapters such as Lynbrook, Monta Vista, Mission San Jose, Valley Christian, and Stratford Prep all hosted banquets or end-of-the-year events to recognize the successes of their members as well as introduce their new officers. In addition to announcing their new officers, Stratford Prep even took time out during their last meeting to make plans for their upcoming competitive season, while Harker celebrated DECA at their BE&E banquet along with other business organizations and took part in an end-of-the-year team retreat to prepare for summer conferences and camps.

To keep up with any district news, chapter spotlights, or events, we highly recommend following the Silicon Valley DECA Instagram @svcaldeca. In addition, chapters are welcome to post about their achievements and events that could be spotlighted via the social media account. Also, chapters who would like to invite the Silicon Valley officers to attend their meetings or events may fill out the chapter visit application or contact the SV officer team directly.

Across all three districts, the 2025-2026 year has been one filled with much achievement and growth. With new officers stepping into their roles and seniors graduating, California DECA heads into the summer and the start of a successful 2026-2027 season.

If you are interested in having State Officers attend an event with your chapter, please fill out the chapter visit form.