DECA members attend International Salt Lake Conference

East Aurora DECA members Caroline Zink, Melissa Goggins, Michael Lorka, Kyle O'Brien, Karleigh Volk, and Alexandra Fontanese attended and competed in DECA’s 66th annual International Career Development Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 28 – May 1, 2012. The ICDC is DECA’s highest level of competition. Caroline and Melissa competed in the Learn and Earn event for their work and business plan for the Devil's Den, East Aurora's High School bookstore. Kyle O'Brien competed in the Sports and Marketing Series, and Karleigh and Allie competed in the Buying and Merchandising Team Event. In addition to their competition, students attended Leadership Academies and served as voting delegates to elect the National DECA Officer Team. Michael Lorka also officially began his duties as New York State DECA President and trained for his office.

Opening ceremonies for the conference included the Peking Acrobats and the famed Jabbawockeez dance team champions from the television show America's Best Dance Crew. The keynote speaker was George Zimmer, CEO and founder of Men's Warehouse who spoke of his business successes and the importance of dressing for success. The country music group, Eli Young Band, also performed for the DECA members attending the conference.

DECA is a club that prepares students for careers in the areas of marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Thousands of DECA members demonstrated their knowledge and skills at the conference that they have learned in their classrooms to equip them for college and careers. The conference welcomed more than 15,000 DECA students, advisors, alumni, and affiliated businesspeople from all 50 states and around the world.