Judges and Sponsors
Virginia DECA is 13,500 members strong and wants your support! Membership spans from the Heart of Appalachia to Northern Virginia; chapters thrive in Hampton Roads to Central Virginia; big business is happening from Southern Virginia to the Shenandoah Valley and our members in the Blue Ridge and on the Eastern Shore invite you to see what DECA has to offer!
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COMPETITIVE EVENT DESCRIPTIONS
PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION EVENTS
Principles of Business Management and Administration Event:
Role-playing event in which the participant is taking part in a second interview used to determine his/her
knowledge of fundamental business concepts. The interview event will use language associated with jobs
in Administrative Services, Business Information Management, General Management,
Human Resources, Management, and Operations Management.
Principles of Finance Event:
Role-playing event in which the participant is taking part in a second interview used to determine his/her
knowledge of fundamental business concepts. The interview event will use the language associated with
jobs in Accounting, Banking Services, Business Finance, Insurance and Securities, and Investments.
Principles of Hospitality and Tourism Event:
Role-playing event in which the participant is taking part in a second interview used to determine
his/her knowledge of fundamental business concepts. The interview event will use the language
associated with jobs in Hotels, Restaurants, and Tourism and Travel.
Principles of Marketing Event:
Role-playing event in which the participant is taking part in a second interview used to determine
his/her knowledge of fundamental business concepts. The interview event will use the language
associated with jobs in Marketing Communications, Marketing Management, Marketing Research,
Merchandising and Professional Sales/Sales Management.
TEAM DECISION MAKING EVENTS
Business Law and Ethics Team Decision Making Event:
Role-playing event in which a team of two participants analyzes one or a combination of elements
essential to the effective operation of a business. For the purposes of this event, business law is
U.S. law and will include contracts, product liability, employment and types of business ownership.
The ethics component involves the evaluation of competing social values that may reasonably be argued
from either side.
Buying and Merchandising Team Decision Making Event:
Role-playing event in which a team of two participants analyzes one or a combination of elements
essential to the effective operation of a business. Employees in buying and merchandising positions
get the product into the hands of the customer. This process includes forecasting, planning, buying,
displaying, selling and providing customer service.
Financial Services Team Decision Making Event:
Role-playing event in which a team of two participants analyzes one or a combination of elements
essential to the effective operation of a business. Concepts include understanding the source and
purpose of financial statements, the impact of management decisions on statements, and the analysis
and interpretation of financial data for planning purposes.
Hospitality Services Team Decision Making Event:
Role-playing event in which a team of two participants analyzes one or a combination of elements
essential to the effective operation of a business. Concepts include marketing and management
functions and tasks that can be applied in hotels, motels, lodging services, related convention services,
and related food and beverage services.
Marketing Communications Team Decision Making Event:
Role-playing event in which a team of two participants analyzes one or a combination of elements
essential to the effective operation of a business. Concepts include marketing functions and tasks
that inform, remind, and/or persuade a target market of ideas, experiences, goods/services, and/or
images.
Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making Event:
Role-playing event in which a team of two participants analyzes one or a combination of elements
essential to the effective operation of a business. Concepts include marketing functions and tasks
that can be applied in amateur or professional sports or sporting events, entertainment or entertainment
events, selling or renting of supplies and equipment (other than vehicles) used for recreational or
sporting purposes, products and services related to hobbies or cultural events, or businesses primarily
engaged in satisfying the desire to make productive or enjoyable use of leisure time.
Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making Event:
Role-playing event in which a team of two participants analyzes one or a combination of elements
essential to the effective operation of a business. Concepts include marketing and management
functions and tasks that can be applied in enterprises engaged in passenger transportation,
travel service, attracting and serving the traveling public, arranging tours or acting as independent
ticket agencies, and other services incidental to the travel or tourism industry.
INDIVIDUAL SERIES EVENTS
Accounting Applications Series Event:
Role-playing event in which an individual participant is given a description of a specific situation
that measures skills, knowledge and attitudes in accounting applications. Participants will be
challenged to perform marketing and management functions and tasks focusing on the application
of financial data to business planning, including collection and organization of data, development and
use of reports, and analysis of data to make business decisions. Concepts include understanding the
source and purpose of financial statements, the impact of management decisions on statements, and
the analysis and interpretation of data for planning purposes. Participant roles in these events are those
of supervisors, managers or entrepreneurs.
Apparel and Accessories Marketing Series Event:
Role-playing event in which an individual participant is given a description of a specific situation
that measures skills, knowledge and attitudes in apparel and accessories marketing or marketing
management. Participants will be challenged to perform marketing and management functions and
tasks in retail establishments, wholesale establishments and/or manufacturing firms primarily
engaged in the marketing of clothing and related articles for personal wear and adornment. Participant
roles in these events are those of customers, employees, supervisors and managers.
Automotive Services Marketing Series Event:
Role-playing event in which an individual participant is given a description of a specific situation
that measures skills, knowledge and attitudes in automotive services marketing. Participants will
be challenged to perform marketing and management functions and tasks related to service stations
and related businesses or auto parts stores. Participant roles in these events are those of customers,
employees, supervisors, managers and entrepreneurs.
Business Finance Series Event:
Role-playing event in which and individual participant is given a description of a specific situation that
measures skills, knowledge and attitudes in business finance. Participants will be challenged to
perform management functions and tasks focusing on high-level financial and business planning,
including collection and organization of data, development and use of reports, and analysis of data to
make business decisions. Concepts include understanding the source and purpose of financial statements,
the impact of management decisions on statements, and the analysis and interpretation of data for
corporate planning purposes. Roles in these events are those of supervisors, managers, financial experts
or entrepreneurs.
Business Services Marketing Series Event:
Role-playing event in which an individual participant is given a description of a specific situation that
measures skills, knowledge and attitudes in business services marketing. Participants will be challenged
to perform marketing functions and tasks involved in providing services to businesses on a fee or
contract basis or providing services to consumers. Participant roles in these events are those of
customers, employees, supervisors, managers and entrepreneurs.
Food Marketing Series Event:
Role-playing event in which an individual participant is given a description of a specific situation that
measures skills, knowledge and attitudes in food marketing or marketing management. Participants
will be challenged to perform marketing and management functions and tasks in retail establishments,
wholesale establishments and manufacturing firms resulting in the sale of food. Participant roles in these
events are those of customers, employees, supervisors and managers.
Hotel and Lodging Management Series Event:
Role-playing event in which an individual participant is given a description of a specific situation that
measures skills, knowledge and attitudes in hotel and lodging marketing or marketing management.
Participants will be challenged to perform marketing and management functions and tasks in hotels,
motels, lodging services, convention services, and food and beverage services. Participant roles in these
events are those of customers, employees, supervisors and managers.
Human Resources Management Series Event:
Role-playing event in which an individual participant is given a description of a specific situation that
measures skills, knowledge and attitudes in human resources management. Participants will be
challenged to perform management functions and tasks focusing on staffing, recruitment, selection,
training, performance appraisal, compensation and safety training. Roles in these events are those of
supervisors, managers, human resource experts or entrepreneurs.
Marketing Management Series Event:
Role-playing event in which an individual participant is given a description of a specific situation that
measures skills, knowledge and attitudes in marketing management. Participants will be challenged to
perform marketing and management functions and tasks that can be applied broadly in a non-retail
marketing environment. Participant roles in these events are those of clients, employees, supervisors,
managers and entrepreneurs.
Quick Serve Restaurant Management Series Event:
Role-playing event in which an individual participant is given a description of a specific situation that
measures skills, knowledge and attitudes in quick-service restaurant management. Participants will
be challenged to perform marketing functions and tasks in retail establishments, wholesale
establishments and manufacturing firms primarily engaged in the quick-serve restaurant industry.
Participant roles in these events are those of customers, employees, supervisors, managers and
entrepreneurs.
Restaurant and Food Service Management Series Event:
Role-playing event in which an individual participant is given a description of a specific situation that
measures skills, knowledge and attitudes in restaurant and food service management. Participants
will be challenged to perform marketing and management functions and tasks in a full-service restaurant
or a food-service business. Participant roles in these events are those of supervisors, managers and
entrepreneurs.
Retail Merchandising Series Event:
Role-playing event in which an individual participant is given a description of a specific situation that
measures skills, knowledge and attitudes in retail merchandising management. Participants will be
challenged to perform marketing and management functions and tasks that can be applied in any retail
establishment. Participant roles in these events are those of customers, employees, supervisors and
managers.
Sports and Entertainment Marketing Series Event:
Role-playing event in which an individual participant is given a description of a specific situation that
measures skills, knowledge and attitudes in sports and entertainment marketing. Participants will be
challenged to perform marketing and management functions and tasks related to amateur or professional
sports or sporting events, entertainment or entertainment events, selling or renting of supplies and
equipment (other than vehicles) used for recreational or sporting purposes, products and services related
to hobbies or cultural events, or businesses primarily engaged in satisfying the desire to make productive
or enjoyable use of leisure time. Participant roles in these events are those of supervisors and managers.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS RESEARCH EVENTS
Business Services Operations Research Event:
The 2012 topic for this event is the development of a plan to enhance or introduce a customer loyalty
program to an existing human resources, information technology or personal and contracted services
business. Using an existing business of their choice, participants will research the current and potential
use of customer loyalty programs and their effectiveness. Participants will develop a strategic plan to
enhance or introduce customer loyalty programs and services into the current operations with the
goals of building customer profiles, tracking sales, tracking visits, retaining current customers,
improving customer service and expanding the current customer base. As a judge, you will read and
evaluate the written research reports and evaluate oral presentations from each participant team
(1-3 team members).
Buying and Merchandising Operations Research Event:
The 2012 topic for this event is the development of a plan to enhance or introduce a customer loyalty
program to an existing retail or wholesale business that provides consumer goods. Using an existing
business of their choice, participants will research the current and potential use of customer loyalty
programs and their effectiveness. Participants will develop a strategic plan to enhance or introduce
customer loyalty programs and services into the current operations with the goals of building
customer profiles, tracking sales, tracking visits, retaining current customers, improving customer
service and expanding the current customer base. As a judge, you will read and evaluate the written
research reports and evaluate oral presentations from each participant team (1-3 team members).
Finance Operations Research Event:
The 2012 topic for this event is the development of a plan to enhance or introduce a customer loyalty
program to an existing bank, credit union, accounting firm, investment firm, or other financial business.
Using an existing business of their choice, participants will research the current and potential use of
customer loyalty programs and their effectiveness. Participants will develop a strategic plan to enhance or
introduce customer loyalty programs and services into the current operations with the goals of
building customer profiles, tracking sales, tracking visits, retaining current customers, improving
customer service and expanding the current customer base. As a judge, you will read and evaluate the
written research reports and evaluate oral presentations from each participant team (1-3 team members).
Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research Event:
The 2012 topic for this event is the development of a plan to enhance or introduce a customer loyalty
program to an existing hotel, restaurant or tourism-related business. Using an existing business of their
choice, participants will research the current and potential use of customer loyalty programs and their
effectiveness. Participants will develop a strategic plan to enhance or introduce customer loyalty programs
and services into the current operations with the goals of building customer profiles, tracking sales,
tracking visits, retaining current customers, improving customer service and expanding the current
customer base. As a judge, you will read and evaluate the written research reports and evaluate oral
presentations from each participant team (1-3 team members).
Sports and Entertainment Marketing Operations Research Event:
The 2012 topic for this event is the development of a plan to enhance or introduce a customer loyalty
program to an existing business that conducts sporting and/or entertainment events. Using an existing
business of their choice, participants will research the current and potential use of customer loyalty
programs and their effectiveness. Participants will develop a strategic plan to enhance or introduce
customer loyalty programs and services into the current operations with the goals of building
customer profiles, tracking sales, tracking visits, retaining current customers, improving customer
service and expanding the current customer base. As a judge, you will read and evaluate the written
research reports and evaluate oral presentations from each participant team (1-3 team members).
CHAPTER TEAM EVENTS
Community Service Project:
A project that provides an opportunity for chapter members to develop a better understanding of the role
civic activities have in society, to make a contribution to a community service or charity, and to learn and
apply the principles of the numerous components of marketing management. The purpose of the
Community Service Project is to provide an opportunity for chapter members to demonstrate the skills
necessary in planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating a community service project. As a judge,
you will read and evaluate written reports of the service projects and evaluate oral presentations from each
participant team (1-3 team members).
Creative Marketing Project:
A project that develops in chapter members an analytical and creative approach to the marketing process,
actively engages chapter members in the marketing activities of their community, and provides an
opportunity for experienced executives to guide and assist in developing the marketing, management and
entrepreneurship leaders of tomorrow. Projects will be research studies in the marketing field that have
been planned, conducted and reported by a DECA chapter. The projects will measurably improve
marketing activities of an individual company, a group of companies (such as a shopping mall), an
organization, a club or the business community. Such a project might concern itself with finding new
markets for local products, promoting the community’s resources, increasing the trading area of
facilities, increasing sales, increasing employment, providing better shopping facilities, solving
problems or challenges affecting the marketing process, etc. As a judge, you will read and evaluate
written reports of the projects and evaluate oral presentations from each participant team (1-3 team
members).
Entrepreneurship Promotion Project:
A project that provides an opportunity for chapter members to demonstrate the skills needed in
planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating a campaign to educate chapter members and the
general public or an organized group about the opportunities available for becoming an entrepreneur.
After learning the economic principles associated with entrepreneurship, chapter members will utilize
their marketing skills to communicate the benefits of entrepreneurship to others. As a judge, you will
read and evaluate written reports of the projects and evaluate oral presentations from each participant team
(1-3 team members).
Financial Literacy Promotion Project:
A project that provides an opportunity for chapter members to demonstrate the skills needed in
planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating a campaign to educate chapter members and the
general public or an organized group about the importance of financial literacy. After learning the
economic principles associated with financial literacy, chapter members will utilize their marketing
skills to communicate the benefits of financial literacy to others. Financial literacy includes: an
understanding of employment benefits, taxes, payroll deduction options, investment instruments,
borrowing, insurance, banking (managing checking and savings accounts), budgeting, and setting and
implementing financial goals (short term to retirement). As a judge, you will read and evaluate written
reports of the projects and evaluate oral presentations from each participant team (1-3 team members).
Learn and Earn Project:
A project that provides an opportunity for chapter members to demonstrate the skills needed in planning,
organizing, implementing and evaluating a sales/service activity. The Learn and Earn Project applies
entrepreneurial skills to a single sales/service activity to be run as a real business venture. In a sense,
the project is a chapter entrepreneurship project. The sales/service activity may focus on any subject of
interest to the chapter and should involve the majority of the chapter members. School store projects may
be appropriate, but should be planned around a new marketing program within the store. As a judge, you
will read and evaluate written reports of the projects and evaluate oral presentations from each participant
team (1-3 team members).
Public Relations Project:
A project that provides an opportunity for chapter members to demonstrate the skills needed in planning,
organizing, implementing and evaluating a single public relations campaign conducted by the chapter.
The campaign may focus on any topic or subject of interest to the chapter and should involve the majority
of the chapter members. As a judge, you will read and evaluate written reports of the projects and evaluate
oral presentations from each participant team (1-3 team members).
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP EVENTS
Entrepreneurship Written Event:
The Entrepreneurship Written Event involves the development of a proposal to start a new business, a
self analysis (including the willingness to take risks), an analysis of the business situation, a description
of the way the business will operate and detailed plans for financing the business through its first three
years of operation. Any type of business may be used. As a judge, you will read and evaluate the business
proposals and evaluate oral presentations from each participant team (1-3 team members).
International Business Plan Event:
The International Business Plan Event involves the development of a proposal to start a new
international business, an analysis of the international business situation, a description of the way the
business will operate and detailed plans for financing the business through its first three years of
operation. Any type of business may be used. As a judge, you will read and evaluate the business proposals
and evaluate oral presentations from each participant team (1-3 team members).
Entrepreneurship Participating Event (Creating an Independent Business):
The purpose of the Entrepreneurship Participating Event (Creating an Independent Business) is to provide
an opportunity for participants to develop and present a proposal to form a business. The event includes the
development and presentation of various aspects of a plan to form a business. The event provides an
opportunity for participants to develop and demonstrate mastery of essential skills as they apply to the
analysis of a business opportunity, the development of a marketing/promotion plan and the development
of a financial plan. As a judge, you will read and evaluate the business proposals and evaluate oral
presentations from each participant.
Entrepreneurship Participating Event (Creating a Franchise Business):
The purpose of the Entrepreneurship Participating Event (Creating a Franchise Business) is to provide an
opportunity for participants to develop and present a proposal to form a franchise business. The event includes
the development and presentation of various aspects of a plan to form a business. The event provides an
opportunity for participants to develop and demonstrate mastery of essential skills as they apply to the
analysis of a business opportunity, the development of a marketing/promotion plan and the development of a
financial plan. As a judge, you will read and evaluate the business proposals and evaluate oral presentations
from each participant.
MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE EVENTS
Advertising Campaign Event:
The purpose of the Advertising Campaign Event is to provide an opportunity for participants to prepare
an advertising campaign of any length for a real product, service, company or business and to present the
campaign to a prospective client/advertiser. The participants will also indicate an appropriate budget and
select media. The event allows an opportunity for participants to demonstrate promotional skills necessary
for advertising management personnel. As a judge, you will read and evaluate fact sheets for the campaigns
and evaluate oral presentations from each participant team (1-3 team members).
Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan Event:
The purpose of the Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan is to provide an opportunity for participants to
demonstrate promotional competencies and other competencies needed by management and merchandising
personnel. The event provides the participants with the opportunity to develop a seasonal sales promotion
plan, using apparel and accessory items only, for a retail store. As a judge, you will read and evaluate fact
sheets for the promotional plans and evaluate oral presentations from each participant team (1-3 team
members).
Sports and Entertainment Promotion Plan Event:
The purpose of the Sports and Entertainment Promotion Plan is to provide an opportunity for participants Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling Event:
to demonstrate promotional competencies and other competencies needed by management personnel. The
event provides the participants with the opportunity to develop a seasonal sales promotion plan for a
sports and/or entertainment company. As a judge, you will read and evaluate fact sheets for the promotional
plans and evaluate oral presentations from each participant team (1-3 team members).
PROFESSIONAL SELLING EVENTS
The purpose of the Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling Event is to provide an opportunity for
participants to organize and deliver a sales presentation for one or more hospitality and/or tourism-related
products and/or services. As a judge, you will act as a bride-to-be/groom-to-be selecting the site for your
wedding. You are looking to select the room space, hotel room block and food and beverage services. The
participant will act as the hotel sales manager and will deliver a sales presentation to meet your needs. You
will evaluate sales presentations from each participant.
Professional Selling Event:
The purpose of the Professional Selling Event is to provide an opportunity for participants to organize and
deliver a sales presentation for one or more products and/or services. As a judge, you will act as the vice
president of a pharmaceutical firm looking to purchase language-learning software for your sales staff
that conducts business in Mexico, Canada and Brazil. The participant will present potential software
packages to you to meet your needs. You will evaluate sales presentations from each participant.
