With a 70-year history, DECA has impacted the lives of more than ten million students, educators, school administrators and business professionals since it was founded in 1946. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.  Students with interests in marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, or management join DECA when they are enrolled in a course within these content areas that is taught by a teacher who also serves as the DECA advisor. With this close connection to the curriculum, DECA members and advisors are able to integrate DECA activities into the classroom, apply the classroom experience to project-based activities, connect to business partners at all levels and utilize competition to improve their performance.