California DECA, can you believe that it’s only a few hours until the 2026 State Career Development Conference begins? Your state officers, Team 75, are so excited to connect with you all and help make this SCDC the best one yet! 

For the past year, Team 75 has worked on several initiatives, from hosting industry professionals such as Cammie Dunaway on Champ Camp, updating the mini-con guide for chapters, and attending leadership conferences to meet other association officers and learn how to best serve California DECA’s members. As the end of our term comes near, we wanted to share some of our favorite memories from our term.

ICDC 2025 in Orlando, Florida

Kicking off our term by attending the International Career Development Conference, our team had the best time hosting California DECA’s Opening and Closing session, meeting other association officers at the Elevate Leadership Academy training and Association Officers Luncheon, and of course, competing! We are so grateful for the opportunity to connect with DECA members internationally and learn from one another’s associations to implement new initiatives and better serve our members.

The Emerging Leader Summit in Phoenix, Arizona

At ELS 2026, Team 75 attended a two-day leadership training, where we worked closely alongside other State Officers such as Michigan DECA, Rhode Island DECA, and Virginia DECA! From brainstorming membership growth strategies to practicing public speaking, our team was able to grow as leaders and learn how to best serve our members through creative initiatives. Cooling off from the hot, dry weather in Arizona, we had so much fun grabbing ice cream with other attendees and attending a DECA-hosted night at the bowling alley. 

Power Trip 2026 in Arlington, Virginia

Team 75 had the best time at DECA’s Power Trip, where we were able to compete, hear from keynote speakers, enjoy the State Officer luncheon, advocate for CTE funding to California’s district representatives, and learn about DC’s rich history while visiting monuments during DECA Night. Additionally, we were able to host California DECA’s Opening session and host a workshop, “Eye See DC, Learn to Create ICDC Winning Visuals”. 

Chapter Visits

Across California, Team 75 visited your chapters for special banquets, mini-cons, and leadership trainings! From hosting Q&A sessions, assisting with awards at mini-cons, or celebrating the previous DECA season’s successes at end-of-year banquets, we had the best time supporting CA DECA chapters and members. Thank you to every advisor and member for welcoming us and for your support! 

Thank you to the following chapters for hosting Team 75 for a chapter visit: Valley Christian HS, Basis Independent Silicon Valley, The Harker School, Milpitas HS, Irvington HS, Washington HS, Amador Valley HS, Foothill HS, 

Thank you, California DECA! This has been an incredible year, and none of CA DECA’s successes would have been possible without the support of our members, chapter advisors, California DECA state management and board, and volunteer judges. We hope you all enjoy SCDC 2026 and take advantage of all the workshops, booths, and events that this conference has to offer.

The State Career Development Conference (SCDC) is one of the most exciting and impactful moments in the DECA year. Whether this is your first time advancing to state or you’re a seasoned competitor, SCDC is where months of preparation come together. From high-level competition to unforgettable connections, here’s what to expect—and how to make the most of it.

Connect With DECA Members From Across the State

One of the most exciting parts of SCDC is the opportunity to meet DECA members from chapters all across the state. Between events, during meals, or at general sessions, you’ll be surrounded by students who share your drive for leadership, business, and competition. Take the initiative to introduce yourself—you never know if you’ll meet a future teammate, college peer, or lifelong friend.

Experience State-Level Leadership & Career Workshops

SCDC features engaging workshops and sessions designed to prepare members for leadership beyond the chapter and district level. These sessions often include advanced competition strategies, leadership development, college and career readiness, and insights from industry professionals. Be sure to attend—these workshops are designed to challenge you, inspire you, and help you grow as a DECA leader.

Compete at the Highest Level

At SCDC, competition is elevated. You’ll be competing against top qualifiers from across the state, presenting to experienced judges, and demonstrating your ability to think critically under pressure. Whether you’re presenting a roleplay, written project, or prepared event, this is your opportunity to perform at your best and earn a spot at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC).

Quick Competition Tips:

• Manage your time wisely. Stick closely to prep and presentation time limits.
• Master your performance indicators. Judges score based on these—make them obvious in your presentation.
• Dress professionally and appropriately. Your appearance should reflect the professionalism of the event.
• Present with clear structure. Strong openings, clear solutions, and confident conclusions stand out.
• Stay confident. You earned your spot at SCDC—trust your preparation and show it.

Final Thoughts

SCDC is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of your hard work and growth as a DECA member. Whether your goal is to advance, learn, or connect, arrive ready to challenge yourself and take advantage of every opportunity. Enjoy the experience, support your fellow members, and make the most of this incredible milestone in your DECA journey.

We can’t wait to see you at SCDC!

From November 21-23, 2025, your California DECA State Officers had the opportunity to travel to Arlington, Virginia, for DECA’s Ultimate Power Trip – an engaging, interactive national conference focusing on leadership, innovation, and career preparation. Throughout the weekend, we interacted with thousands of members (including our California DECA delegation), attended valuable workshops, and competed for national recognition.

Whether learning how to build and pitch our own start-up ideas, hearing directly from industry leaders about the most in-demand skills in today’s job market, or connecting with DECA’s company and university partners, every workshop session reinforced DECA’s mission of preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for college and careers. These experiences gave us valuable insight into how national trends in business, innovation, and workforce development can be translated into meaningful opportunities for California DECA members.

In addition to attending sessions, our state officer team had the opportunity to host our own workshop, “Eye See DC: Glass-Winning Visual Strategies.” This session focused on teaching members how to use visuals to elevate both roleplays and written events. Through an interactive, hands-on activity, members practiced turning images and visuals into a clear, compelling story with smooth transitions. With incredibly high participation and engagement, your California State Officer Team was so lucky to teach DECA members and emerging leaders from across the nation, providing attendees with applicable tools they can bring back to their chapters and conferences.

Beyond the conference sessions, we also attended DECA’s “D.C. After Dark” sightseeing tour, exploring iconic monuments and learning their history. In addition, Team 75 connected with several California district representatives, advocating for increased Career Technical Education (CTE) funding and sustained legislative support for DECA and CTSO programs. These conversations reinforced the importance of student voice in policymaking and strengthened our commitment to ensuring DECA members across California have access to the resources, opportunities, and support needed to succeed.

Team 75 cannot wait to bring these lessons, strategies, and insights back to California, equipping members to compete, lead, and make an impact confidently and at every level.

By Jaylyn Chong | CA DECA Vice President of Leadership