Fall Leadership Conference

October 31, 2026, in Marquette, Michigan

Our Fall Leadership Conference has been cancelled.

We encourage you to sign up for Our Collegiate DECA READ for National DECA month.

National DECA Month - Collegiate DECA Read

Join us for the first Michigan National DECA Month READ! This year's read is Risk Only Money by Jack DeBoer. The book is provided at no cost to our DECA members and alumni.

On November 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. EST, we will host a virtual event exploring the book Risk Only Money and the philosophy behind the business empire built by one of Michigan’s own entrepreneurs. Presented by Jim Korroch and sponsored by the DeBor Foundation.

Join us as we take a closer look at the ideas, experiences, and entrepreneurial principles that shaped his approach to business, leadership, and taking calculated risks. This engaging discussion will connect the lessons of the book to today’s business environment and provide an opportunity to consider how these principles can be applied by the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Jim Korroch

Jim Korroch is a retired hotel and real estate developer and a well-respected 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry. He currently serves as C0-Trustee of the Jack P. DeBoer Estate where he oversees the stewardship of the estate’s real estate, hospitality, and business interests. In his trustee role, Jim guides the estate’s interests in the WaterWalk development in downtown Wichita—approximately 10 acres of prime real estate along the Arkansas River.

In 1990, Jim started his hotel career in Northern California as a sales manager for Summerfield Suites Hotels and advanced quickly to Director of Sales and General Manager positions in Atlanta and Chicago.

In 1995, Jim co-created Candlewood Suites with Jack DeBoer. Jim’s responsibilities included launching several divisions of the organization, including senior talent acquisition, franchising, development, site selection, operations, and property management. At the time, Candlewood set the mark as the fastest-growing hotel chain in hospitality history. In 1997, the company was taken public on the NASDAQ, which helped fuel capital for growth. Candlewood was purchased by IHG in 2001. Today, there are more than 400 Candlewood Suites hotels open across the United States.

Beginning in 2000, Jim served as the principal of AG Holdings, LLC, his hotel ownership,

development, and management company. His hotel holdings included Marriott brands—Residence Inn, Courtyard, Fairfield, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites, and Aloft—as well as IHG assets. Under his leadership, his teams earned several awards, including Marriott’s “Opening Hotel of the Year” twice. While serving on the Franchise Advisory Council, Jim was instrumental in the design and relaunch of the TownePlace Suites brand, increasing the brand’s distribution and market share dramatically.

Jim later served as President of WaterWalk International and as Senior Advisor to WaterWalk, drawing on his leadership and rapid-growth experience to help build the WaterWalk brand as an innovator in long-term flexible lodging. In May 2026, he stepped away from his advisory and board roles to devote his full attention to his fiduciary responsibilities as trustee.

Jim has been active in several civic organizations. He is a past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Greater Wichita YMCA and the Greater Wichita Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Wichita). His Catholic faith is central to his life, and he is actively involved in the Catholic Diocese of Wichita.

Jim is a graduate of Michigan State University and resides in Wichita, Kansas, with his wife, Kelly. Together, they have five adult children and six grandchildren. In his free time, Jim enjoys fitness activities, family travel, and learning to play the piano.

Register here to join us and receive your book!

State Career Development Conference

The State Career Development Conference will be held

February 5-7, 2027, in Bay City, Michigan at the DoubleTree.

The cost is $375 for each person based on housing with two in a room. The cost is $275 for each person for three or four in a room.

Advisors' cost is $275 for a king room,

all family and guests must be registered on housing.

The fee for guest meals is $40.

Read the conference policies below.

Tentative Schedule:

Friday, February 5, 2027 (Business Casual attire)

2:00 pm Pre-Conference Tours (optional)

3:00 pm Registration begins

4:00 pm Room Check-In

4:00 pm Delta Planetarium - Free show for the first 140 students - (must check in for your conference badge for entry)

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm On-site Testing

7:00 pm Seating begins for opening session

7:00 pm All Prepared events due

7:30 pm Open Session begins

9:30 pm Community Service Event

Immediately following community event - Testing Session

Saturday, February 6, 2027 (Professional Dress)

8:00 am Event Prep begins for Team Events

8:30 am Event Prep begins for Individual Events

11:30 am - 1:00 pm Lunch

3:30 pm Delta Planetarium Public show $5 with name badge

8:30 pm - 10:30 pm DECA Downs at the State Theatre

Sunday, February 7, 2027 (Professional Dress)

9:00 am Advisor's meeting

10:00 am Voting begins, awards session seating opens, and breakfast buffet opens

11:00 am Award session

12 pm Check-out and departure

Conference Policies

You are solely responsible for reviewing the event guidelines for your event. The Event Guidelines can be accessed here.

NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED AFTER JANUARY 20, 2027!
ALL DEADLINES WILL BE ADHERED TO. PLAN ACCORDINGLY. NO EXCEPTIONS!
ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGES TO REGISTRATION AFTER THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2026, MIDNIGHT EDT.
ALL STUDENTS MUST ARRIVE ON FRIDAY AND CHECK-IN THEMSELVES FOR REGISTRATION. ANYONE NOT CHECKED IN ON FRIDAY EVENING WILL BE CONSIDERED A NO SHOW AND DROPPED FROM THE CONFERENCE. ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL SESSIONS.
REGISTRATION IS $375 for TWO in a ROOM. $275 for three or four in a room. (subject to change until December 1, 2026)
Registration, the housing list, and payments are due January 20, 2027 at 5:00 pm. NO EXCEPTIONS
Students may register for one Individual Case Study Event and one Team Case Study Event or Prepared Business Presentation Event as indicated in the registration tool.
EVENT POLICY: Any event with fewer than 4 participants may not be held. If we hold the event, you must score above 70% to qualify for ICDC, and only medals will be issued.
Dues must be submitted and paid or processed with payment pending to the national office before
February 1, 2027.
ALL Students and Advisors are required to stay at the conference property.
Professional Dress: Business suit or professional attire. No jeans, sweatpants, shirt shirts, t-shirts, no tennis shoes.
Dress Casual: Polo, dress shirt, pants, skirt, and kakis are acceptable. No jeans, sweatpants, shirt shirts, t-shirts, no tennis shoes.
Causal wear: Jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants. No club wear that shows mid-sections or could be deemed inappropriate for business.

DEADLINES FOR CDC

December 1, 2026 Registration opens

January 20, 2027 Registration ends & Housing list is due.

All registrations must be paid in full. No Refunds after this date.

TBD

Online Testing opens (available from 8:00 am until 10:00 pm each day)

January 25, 2027 Online submission for Prepared Events Open

February 1, 2027 All Dues must be submitted and paid.

International Career Development Conference

Friday, April 9 to 12, 2027 - Austin, Texas

Download the registration guide (coming soon).

New format -

Friday: Grand Opening Session
Saturday: Preliminary Competition
Sunday: Professional Development Sessions + Testing
Monday: Preliminary Awards Session, Final Competition + Grand Awards Session

Deadlines to attend ICDC:

February 1, 2027 | Midnight - Dues must be paid in full to DECA, Inc.
March 10, 2027 | Midnight - Housing due to DECA, Inc.
March 10, 2027 | Midnight - Registration due to DECA, Inc.
March 11 to 22, 2027 | 10:00 am EST - Submission for Prepared Events opens
TBD | 5:00 pm - Last day to make system changes to registration/events/housing
TBD | 11:59 pm EST - Submission for Prepared Events closes
TBD | Midnight - Final payment for registration & housing due to DECA, Inc. without additional charges
TBD | Midnight - Last day to cancel hotel to be eligible for a refund. Must be submitted in writing by the chapter advisor only
April 9, 2026 | 4:00 pm Check-in Begins
April 9, 2026 | 5:30 pm Mandatory State Meeting - Location to be determined

Must attend on-site state meeting at 5:30 pm on Friday.
Michigan Collegiate DECA Members must be qualified at State CDC.
Must pay their dues before February 1, 2027.
Registration must be submitted through your chapter advisor. All registration goes through the National Office, and you will need to pay in full prior to arrival.
The registration fee is $160 per person. Late fee of $15 is added after TBD and any registration not paid in full by TBD. *Subject to change.
The hotel is arranged by the national office and due at the time of registration. Rooms are $335 per room per night including taxes and fees. The cost is the same based on single, double, triple, or quad occupancy. Deadline is March 10, 2027.
Testing will be held on-site. On Sunday, April 11, 2027.
Conduct and Dress Code is available here.
Participant Qualifications are available for view here.

Location: J W Marriott, 110 E. 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701

ALL HOTEL RESERVATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED BY THE NATIONAL OFFICE

DECA GUIDE FOR 2027 - Available soon

Event Topics for Prepared Events -

Business Research Topic

The 2026-2027 topic is for participants to 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.

Digital Marketing Strategies Topic

The objective for the 2025-2026 year is to create a comprehensive digital marketing strategy for a functional food or beverage startup entering a crowded market (think: the Olipop/Poppi space).

The strategy should differentiate the brand, build community, and drive e-commerce sales through authentic digital storytelling.

Financial Statement Analysis Topic

The Financial Statement Analysis event involves a team of 2 to 3 participants analyzing the financial statements of two (2) companies from the same industry, preparing a written analysis and then presenting their findings and recommendations.

For 2026-2027, participants will analyze financial statements for Celsius Holdings, Inc. and Monster Beverage Corporation using the most recent Form 10-K for each organization.

Accommodation request we want to make every opportunity available for our members needing accommodations to participate in ICDC. An online form is at deca.org/

cicdcaccommodationrequests to identify students that need accommodations. It is

critical that we receive the form by TBD in order to arrange appropriate services.