Prepared Events with no Preliminary Competition

BUSINESS OPERATIONS RESEARCH EVENTS

​DECA’s Business Operations Research Events provide opportunities for participants to demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed by management personnel. Students conduct actual research studies in their communities.

For 2026-2027 participants will collaborate with a local business or organization to research what drives customer loyalty and repeat engagement. Using the research findings, participants will develop a strategic plan to strengthen customer retention through loyalty programs, personalized experiences or relationship-building initiatives.

BOR - BUSINESS SERVICES OPERATIONS RESEARCH (Click Here) 

​20-page written event

The Business Services Operations Research Event requires the preparation of a detailed written strategic plan and presentation based on the results of a research study for a company providing services to businesses on a fee or contract basis or providing services to consumers. Examples may include: human resources companies, information technology companies, legal services firms, training and development organizations, health care service providers, libraries, construction companies, landscaping companies, beauty salons, car washes, automotive repair companies, interior decorating, child care services, photography and tutoring services.

BMOR - BUYING AND MERCHANDISING OPERATIONS RESEARCH (Click Here)

20-page written event​

The Buying and Merchandising Operations Research Event requires the preparation of a detailed written strategic plan and presentation based on the results of a research study for a company responsible for getting the product into the hands of the customer through forecasting, planning, buying, displaying, selling and providing customer service. Examples may include any retail or wholesale business that provides consumer goods: specialty stores, department stores, shopping malls, grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, discount stores, farmers markets and car dealerships.

FOR - FINANCIAL OPERATIONS RESEARCH (Click Here)

20-page written event

The Finance Operations Research Event requires the preparation of a detailed written strategic plan and presentation based on the results of a research study for a company providing financial services to commercial and retail customers. Examples may include: banks, credit unions, accounting firms, investment companies, insurance companies and real estate firms.

HTOR - HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM OPERATIONS RESEARCH (Click Here)

20-page written event

The Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research Event requires the preparation of a detailed written strategic plan and presentation based on the results of a research study for a company providing products and services related to event management, lodging, restaurant management and travel and tourism industries. Examples may include: hotels, lodging services, convention services, food and beverage services, restaurants, museums, amusement parks, zoos and other tourism-related businesses.

SEOR - SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING OPERATIONS RESEARCH (Click Here)

20-page written event

The Sports and Entertainment Marketing Operations Research Event requires the preparation of a detailed written strategic plan and presentation based on the results of a research study for a company providing products, services or experiences relating 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 or products and services related to hobbies, leisure or cultural events. Examples may include: sports team, movie theatres, waterparks, music venues, concerts, festivals, amateur practice facilities, tournaments, summer camps, outdoor adventure companies and craft/music classes. 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT EVENTS

​DECA’s Project Management Events require participants to use project management skills to initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close a project.

PMBS - BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PROJECT (Click Here)

20-page written event

The Business Solutions Project uses the project management process to work with a local business or organization to identify a specific problem with the current business operations and implement a solution. Examples include talent acquisition, employee on-boarding, policies and procedures, technology integration, customer service improvement, safety operations, marketing and promotion activities, and productivity and output enhancement.

PMCD - CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (Click Here)

20-page written event

The Career Development Project uses the project management process to promote/educate the knowledge and skills needed for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, management and entrepreneurship. Examples include career fairs, summer boot camps, professional dress seminars, résumé development workshops, career exploration initiatives, mock interviews, and career workplace re-entry and mentor programs.

PMCA - COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROJECT (Click Here)

20-page written event

The Community Awareness Project uses the project management process to raise awareness for a community issue or cause. Examples include day of service, distracted driving, driving under the influence, bullying, disease awareness, mental health awareness, drug awareness, ethics, environmental and green issues, and vaping.

PMCG - COMMUNITY GIVING PROJECT (Click Here)

20-page written event

The Community Giving Project uses the project management process to raise funds or collect donations to be given to a cause/charity. Examples include food bank donations, homeless shelter donations, 5K’s, sports tournaments, auctions, banquets, item collections, holiday drives, adopt a families, etc.

PMFL - FINANCIAL LITERACY PROJECT (Click Here)

20-page written event

The Financial Literacy Project uses the project management process to promote the importance of financial literacy, including spending and saving, credit and debt, employment and income, investing, risk and insurance and financial decision making. Examples include organizing and implementing seminars for students (elementary, middle, high and post-secondary), tax preparation assistance, retirement planning, and student loan workshops.

PMSP - SALES PROJECT (Click Here)

20-page written event

The Sales Project uses the project management process to raise funds for the local DECA chapter. Examples include sports tournaments, t-shirt sales, 5K’s, school merchandise sales, catalog sales, sponsorship development initiatives, fashion shows, pageants, restaurant nights, value cards, and yearbook sales. 

ENTREPRENEURSHIP EVENTS

​DECA’s Entrepreneurship Events provide opportunities to explore entrepreneurial concepts from idea generation, business planning, to growing an existing business.

EBG - BUSINESS GROWTH PLAN (Click Here)

20-page written event

The Business Growth Plan involves the idea generation and strategy development needed to grow an existing business. Participants in the Business Growth Plan will analyze their current business operations and identify opportunities to grow and expand the business. PROOF OF LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF A BUSINESS IS REQUIRED

EFB - FRANCHISE BUSINESS PLAN (Click Here)

20-page written event

The purpose of the Franchise Business Plan Event is designed for participants to present a comprehensive business plan proposal to buy into an existing franchise. The participant seeks to become a franchisee.

EIB - INDEPENDENT BUSINESS PLAN (Click Here)

20-page written event

The Independent Business Plan Event involves the development of a comprehensive proposal to start a new business. Any type of business may be used.

IBP - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PLAN (Click Here)

20-page written event

The International Business Plan Event involves the development of a proposal to start a new business venture in an international setting. Any type of business may be used.

PROFESSIONAL SELLING AND CONSULTING EVENTS

​DECA’s Professional Selling and Consulting Events provide an opportunity for participants to demonstrate skills needed for a career in sales and/or consulting. Participants will organize and deliver a sales presentation or consultation for one or more products/services/customers. 

Applied to each event participants will:

• research an actual company that you will represent and real products/services to be presented

• research target customer to present to

• present using the steps in the selling/consulting process to meet needs of customer

FCE - FINANCIAL CONSULTING (Click Here)

In the Financial Consulting event, participants will organize and deliver a consultation for one or more products/services/customers.  For 2026-2027, you will assume the role of a financial consultant meeting with a small-business owner in their late 50’s who is beginning to think about retirement and succession planning. The client wants to explore options for selling, transferring, or winding down their business while maximizing financial security. This event requires a Finance Cluster Exam.  THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL EVENT

HTPS - HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM PROFESSIONAL SELLING (Click Here)

In the Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling event, participants will organize and deliver a sales presentation for one or more products/services/customers. For 2026-2027, you will assume the role of a sales representative for a company that designs immersive, experience-based group travel packages (culinary tours, cultural immersions, adventure itineraries). A local travel agency is looking to move away from traditional group bus tours and wants to modernize its offerings for younger travelers. This event requires a Hospitality and Tourism Cluster Exam. THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL EVENT

PSE - PROFESSIONAL SELLING (Click Here)

In the Professional Selling event, participants will organize and deliver a sales presentation for one or more products/services/customers. For 2026-2027, you will assume the role of a sales representative for a company that offers an integrated platform combining AI-powered customer service tools and retail analytics. A regional retail chain owner has scheduled a meeting to learn how your solution can reduce response times, lower staffing costs, optimize inventory, and improve the overall customer experience both in-store and online. Your goal is to explain how your platform can help the business operate more efficiently while increasing customer satisfaction and sales.This event requires a Marketing Cluster Exam. THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL EVENT