UW-Stout draws 500 students from 18 high schools for annual DECA District I Career Development Confe

Menomonie, Wis. — An estimated 500 students from 18 regional high schools are expected to take part in the 54th Annual DECA District I Career Development Conference on Saturday, Jan. 10, at University of Wisconsin-Stout.

The event, organized and run by UW-Stout’s Marketing and Business Education Association, challenges high school marketing students to apply critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills. Participants will compete in 20 individual and eight team events, encompassing topics such as accounting, entrepreneurship, business finance, restaurant and food service management, retail merchandising, sports and entertainment marketing, and more.

Members of the media are invited to attend the conference, which will begin with an opening session at 8:45 a.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Student Center, followed by competition from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and an awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m.

“DECA is a great opportunity for students because it prepares competitors for success in future careers, education and personal growth,” said AnuTye Her, a marketing and business education senior from Eau Claire, who serves as DECA District 1 coordinator and president of UW-Stout's Marketing and Business Education Association.

DECA prepares emerging high school and college leaders for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. UW-Stout’s marketing and business education degree, available both on-campus and online, is part of UW-Stout’s School of Education, which offers nine undergraduate and five graduate degrees, as well as nine certificates and certifications.

 For more information about the competition, contact Debbie Stanislawski, MBE program director, at stanislawskid@uwstout.edu or 715-232-3195.