DECA State is a competitive business education event where high school students from across the state compete in various business-related challenges. It serves as the next level of competition after local and regional DECA events, bringing together the top performers to showcase their business knowledge and skills. State takes place over three days at the Convention Center in North Charleston at the end of February. Students who place in the top three or four in their event have the chance to compete at the International Career Development Conference, held at the end of April.