The Written Events are designed for DECA members to work on a year-long project ranging from creating a business plan to creating a marketing proposal. Depending on the event, a team of 1-3 students will create a 10-30 page report and then give a 15 minute presentation on their proposal to a judge. Students do NOT take an exam as part of this event.

EVENTS

Entrepreneurship Events (10 page report)

These events provide opportunities to explore entrepreneurial concepts from idea generation, business planning, to growing an existing business.

Innovation Plan EIP

Involves the idea generation and opportunity recognition needed to take advantage of market opportunities to introduce a new business, product or service.

Start-up Business Plan ESB

Provides an opportunity for the participant to develop and present a proposal to form a business.

Entrepreneurship Events (20 page report)

Independent Business Plan EIB

Involves the development of a comprehensive proposal to start a new business. Any type of business may be used.

International Business Plan IBP

Involves the development of a proposal to start a new business venture in an international setting. Any type of business may be used.

Business Growth Plan EBG

Involves the idea generation and strategy development needed to grow an existing business.

Franchise Business Plan EFB

Designed for participants to present a comprehensive business plan proposal to buy into an existing franchise. The participant seeks to become a franchisee.

Business Operations Research Events (20 page report)

These events provide opportunities for participants to demonstrate knowledge and skills needed by management personnel. Students conduct actual research studies in their communities.

The 2020-2021 topic for each career category is the development of a strategy to rebuild customer loyalty and spending as a result of business disruption for at least the previous six months. Participants will collaborate with a local business or organization to analyze the current state of business operations as a result of business disruption and explore strategies to rebuild customer loyalty and spending. Participants will then present a strategic plan to rebuild customer loyalty and spending.

Business Services Operations BOR

Involves human resources, information technology and personal and contracted services businesses.

Buying and Merchandising Operations BMOR

Involves retail and wholesale businesses that provide consumer goods.

Finance Operations FOR

Involves banks, credit unions, accounting, investments and other financial businesses.

Hospitality and Tourism Operations HTOR

Involves hotels, restaurants and tourism-related businesses.

Sports and Entertainment Operations SEOR

Involves businesses that conduct sporting and/or entertainment events

Project Management Events (20 page report)

These events require participants to use project management skills to initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control, and close a project.

Business Solutions Project PMBS

Students work with a local business or organization to identify a specific problem with the current business operations and implement a solution.

Career Development Project PMCD

Students promote/educate the knowledge and skills needed for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, management and entrepreneurship.

Community Awareness Project PMCA

Students use the project management process to raise awareness for a community issue or cause.

Community Giving Project PMCG

Students raise funds or collect donations to be given to a cause/charity.

Financial Literacy Project PMFL

Students promote the importance of financial literacy, including spending and saving, credit and debt, employment and income, investing, risk and insurance and financial decision making.

Sales Project PMSP

Students use the project management process to raise funds for the local DECA chapter.

PRESENTATION

Every written event team must give a 15-minute presentation at SCDC and ICDC. In this presentation, competitors are expected to describe their project or business plan and be prepared to answer questions posed by a judge. It is generally recommended for competitors to use a visual aid in their presentation, whether that is a large poster or a detailed presentation. To prepare for the presentation, teams should practice their presentations frequently leading up to competition, create unique and visually appealing displays, and understand their proposal inside and out to be ready for questions.