TIPS & TRICKS FOR COMPETITION SUCCESS

Chose the Event that best fits your interest/skills/future career goals:

	What are you interested in?  (major, career goal, part–time job, hobby, etc.)
	What are your talents?  (testing, public speaking, selling, writing, creative, etc.)
	Expanding your horizons  (career exploration–have you thought about...)

Packing list for the Conference - be sure to have the proper materials:

	Professional Dress
	Calculator (Exams)
	Delta Epsilon Chi Three-Ring Portfolio (Written Events)
	#2 Pencil (Exams)
	Writing Pen
	Laptop (if Needed)
	Other Visual Aids

Preparing Yourself:

	Have your materials proofed (prepared events).
	Highlight main points (all events).
	Organize, organize, organize.
	Professional looking materials.
	Set up the situation (if applicable)
	Review the event guidelines in the Delta Epsilon Chi Interactive Guide.
	Review the Judges Evaluation Form from the Delta Epsilon Chi Interactive Guide.

During the Conference:

	Dress professionally and conservatively.
	Find your competition room ahead of time.
	Review the guidelines for your event.
	Positive self–talk to build confidence.

Your Time to Compete:

	Arrive at least 15 minutes early.
	Arrive at the event check-in area freshly showered, dressed, etc.
	Sit in waiting area and review event guidelines again until you are called.

When You Get the Role–Play or Case–Study:

	Identify the problem
	Develop possible solutions
	Evaluate the possibilities
	Select the best solution
	Prepare an understandable and realistic presentation
	Use ALL of your prep–time. Write down your thoughts and organize your presentation until it's time to compete.

Interacting with the Judge(s):

	Greet judges with a firm handshake and with confidence.
	Introduce yourself based on your presentation.
	Present material in an organized manner.
	Make eye contact, have good posture and smile.
	Practice good time management.
	Close just as strong as you opened, and shake hands.

BEEN THERE - DONE THAT:

"I would recommend for future DECA competitors to have a positive attitude, dress professional, and give it all they have. All it takes is common sense, a positive attitude, and if you are working in a team make sure that the team member that you choose has these qualities as well!!"

Melissa Rea
Business Ethics
Winner ICDC-Orlando

"In my team's event, you were allowed to use a laptop and reference materials. The biggest help that we had was in building a PowerPoint template for an International Marketing Plan ahead of time. It contained no content, but it did have our headings, and basically served as an outline for us so that we didn't forget to include any of the key parts of an International Marketing Plan (which are more complex than standard marketing plans). Knowing that we couldn't forget to include these details allowed us to focus on the content and reduced our stress level considerably."

Rob Stevens
International Marketing
Winner ICDC–Orlando

ADDITIONAL TIPS FOR COMPETITION