High School

Ultimate DECA Power Trip

Embark on a quest that will awaken your thirst for knowledge in this powerful city.

November 21-23, 2025
Arlington, VA

Conference
Highlights

Learning Labs

Interactive sessions will focus on one powerful component each hour. From college to career to chapter to compete to connect, these learning labs will engage DECA members.

Competitive Excellence

Be the ultimate competitor in a DECA role-play. Members must pre-register for this activity. Top performers will be recognized during Sunday’s Closing Session.

College + Career Exhibits

Searching for the perfect institution to start your post-secondary studies? Want to discuss career opportunities? Looking to expand the product line for your school-based enterprise?

Networking

No power trip would be complete without the opportunity to meet new people! Join us Saturday evening for a “DECA After Dark” event.

Classroom Connection

Extend Learning Beyond the Classroom

  • Understand the role of the economy in society
  • Use entrepreneurial skills to enhance workplace productivity and career options
  • Create new and worthwhile ideas
  • Demonstrate ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams
  • Use interpersonal and problem-solving skills to influence and guide others toward a goal
  • Demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior in using influence and power
  • Act responsibly with the interests of the larger community in mind

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Session Title

DATE | 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET

Session Title

DATE | 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET

Session Title

DATE | 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET

THIS IS HOW WE DO DECA

Advisor Professional Learning

The Advisor Professional Learning Series will engage educators in professional development focusing on curriculum and instructional content that support preparing students for college and careers and connects the conference content to the classroom. Topics from 2024 included:

  • Using DECA Resources
  • Developing Custom Brand Kits with Adobe Express
  • Your Professional Network with Adobe Express
  • School-based Enterprises Best Practices
  • Developing a Culture of Competitive Excellence in Your Chapter

REGISTRATION

Key Information

Get ready to immerse yourself in this educational experience! The information below will guide you through the registration process.

Venue

Crystal Gateway Marriott
1700 Richmond Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202

Registration Deadline

October 15, 2025

Registration will open in fall 2025.

Registration is a two-step process:

  1. DECA members must first be in our online membership system.
  2. Once submitted, you can register them for the conference through our online registration system by selecting “Conferences.”

For complete registration instructions, please refer to the conference registration guide once it is released.

The conference registration fee applies to DECA members, advisors and chaperones, and includes the following:

  • Conference workshops
  • Conference materials
  • Conference t-shirt
  • Conference insurance
  • Saturday evening activity

All student attendees must be on a submitted DECA membership roster to register. Collect the following information from each attendee to complete the registration process:

  • First name
  • Last name
  • T-shirt size
  • Competitive event participation (yes or no)

Conference participants must stay in the designated conference hotel. Make your hotel reservations in the online registration system with DECA Inc.

Once the hotel block has been filled, registration will not be able to be submitted, and DECA will attempt to secure additional housing. After the registration deadline, DECA Inc. will submit the rooming list to the hotel. Once the hotel provides confirmation numbers, DECA Inc. will forward those to advisor.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL

Visit Washington D.C.

It’s easy to ride the Metro or hop on a bike and explore all that the nation’s capital has to offer. Walk the halls of free Smithsonian museums, paddle on the Potomac and Anacostia rivers or sit back on a double-decker tour bus and soak up some history. Local shops, funky marketplaces and people-watching hot spots beckon by midday, as nighttime gives way to multi-course dinners and drinks from local breweries. However you spend your time here, make it count.

CONNECT WITH ATTENDEES

Get Involved

Each of DECA’s educational conferences has unique opportunities to engage our volunteers and partners. Learn how you can connect and engage with DECA members and advisors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions?

Key Contacts

If you need more information, please reach out to our key conference contacts.

Debbie Taylor
Educational Programs
Contact
Kylie Knudsen
Registration Information
Contact
Hotel Reservation Information
Contact
Cindy Allen
Sponsorships and Exhibits
Contact
Whitney Milbourne
Volunteer Opportunities
Contact
Online Testing Questions
Contact

Future Dates

Ultimate DECA Power Trip

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