This past weekend, more than 6,000 of Virginia’s top marketing and business students competed at the Virginia DECA State Leadership Conference. This is one of the most competitive student business events in the nation. Our students rose to the challenge in a big way. We’re thrilled to announce that several students from our Entrepreneurship and Event Planning and Tourism Marketing programs earned top ten finishes in their events, with multiple students qualifying for DECA Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia!
National Qualifiers from Entrepreneurship & Digital Marketing
Buying & Merchandising – Team Decision Making Nash Burkhardt (Freeman) and Yian Chen (Deep Run)
This event puts students in the shoes of retail decision makers. After completing a challenging exam on merchandising strategy, Nash and Yian were given a fictional business scenario and just 10 minutes to analyze the situation, craft a promotional plan, and deliver a compelling pitch to a panel of judges. Their sharp thinking and teamwork earned them a top ten finish and a trip to Nationals.
Business Services Marketing Phuong “Brian” Nguyen (Glen Allen)
Brian excelled in an event that blends marketing knowledge with real world consulting. Competitors first take a comprehensive exam on marketing principles, then step into the role of a business advisor where they propose solutions to a service related challenge faced by a fictional company. Brian’s strategic insight and confident presentation secured his place among Virginia’s best and earned him a spot at Nationals.
Outstanding State Level Achievements in Event Planning & Tourism Marketing
Travel & Tourism – Team Decision Making Dasani Clements (Hermitage) and Kimya Williams (Hermitage)
Dasani and Kimya delivered an impressive performance in one of DECA’s most dynamic events. After completing a written exam, they were presented with a scenario involving a travel industry challenge and tasked with developing a creative, customer focused solution. Their professionalism, communication skills, and strong teamwork earned them recognition among the top performers in the state.
Congratulations to all these students for their dedication, creativity, and outstanding performance! Our national qualifiers will represent us in Atlanta this spring, and every one of these students has made our programs and schools proud.