From July 9–11, 2025, hundreds of passionate DECA chapter and association officers came together in Phoenix, Arizona, for the 2025 Emerging Leaders Summit (ELS). The event brought together student leaders for leadership training, networking, and strategic planning, all designed to prepare them for success in the upcoming DECA season.

Here are the main takeaways from this year’s ELS:

What’s In It For Me? (WIIFM)

One of the most powerful lessons our team walked away with was the importance of keeping WIIFM, short for “What’s In It For Me?”, in mind when communicating with others. Whether we are hosting workshops, leading meetings, or engaging with members, understanding our audience’s perspective helps us speak with them, not just to them. As leaders, this mindset keeps our work centered around value, empathy, and impact.

Energizers, Engagement, and Strategy

Throughout the summit, we explored creative energizers to boost crowd engagement, practiced public speaking and stage presence, and brainstormed impactful workshop ideas. These skills will strengthen our conference activities, community outreach, and officer duties throughout the year. Whether it is legislative advocacy or competition readiness, Team 75 is ready to go the extra mile and make every moment count.

Team-Building That Translates to Leadership

We also participated in hands-on team-building activities designed to challenge our thinking and improve collaboration:

Lego Bridge Challenge

Our group was split in half and tasked with building a two-sided LEGO bridge without being able to see what the other half was doing. This challenge sharpened our ability to communicate clearly across barriers, a vital skill when working with diverse teams.

Grid Maze Exercise

In this nonverbal activity, we had to collectively navigate a hidden path. Each member played a key role, from memorizing positions to guiding teammates through trial and error. It taught us the importance of stepping into the unknown with trust and teamwork, skills we will carry into every chapter and member interaction.

Card Tap Challenge

This open-ended task challenged us to quickly and creatively tap our cards to corresponding suits on a table. With minimal instructions, teams had to innovate on the spot, showing how ambiguity can lead to more effective solutions when we are willing to experiment and adapt.

Special thanks to the DECA High School Division Executive Team for organizing this impactful experience, and to our host and speaker Matthew Meuleners for leading three days of leadership development that will inspire a year of action. Team 75 is excited to put these lessons into practice and make an impact across California.