• 1 – 3 members; unlimited number of entries
• Can compete in any online event as well as any event offered at Regionals and Provincials
• These events are NOT run by Ontario DECA and will NOT be competing at Provincials; qualifiers for ICDC are determined by DECA Inc.  Notifications are emailed at the end of each round.
• No exam
• To register your teams for the DECA Stock Market Game, please  visit https://deca.smgww.org/#/ and go through the registration process.  During the process if you encounter any issues, please contact Carolyn Quest , SMG Coordinator with SIFMA decasmg@sifma.org or cquest@sifma.org
• To register your teams for the DECA Virtual Business Challenges (VBCs), please visit Knowledge Matters and register.
• Can’t find your school or having issues, contact DECA Communications at communications@deca.org.
• To ask questions regarding participation, contact education@deca.org

• 10 minutes to prepare, 10 minutes to present
• Compete individually
• Business Administration Core exam                                                         Principle Events Guidelines

*  ALL of the Principles Events are reserved for 1st-year DECA members regardless of grade unless otherwise noted.
*  PMK reserved for Grade 9 students only.

• 10 minutes to prepare, 10 minutes to present
• Compete individually                                                                             Individual Events Guidelines

• 30 minutes to prepare, 15 minutes to present
• Compete in pairs                                                                             Team Events Guidelines

• 10 minutes to prepare, 10 minutes to present
• Compete individually
• Financial Literacy exam                                                            Personal Financial Literacy Guidelines

• 1 – 3 participants per team                                                          Operations Research Events Guidelines 
• Maximum length of 20 pages and 15 minutes to present
• DLG Judge Pro online submission by January 9, 2026; maximum 30 MB upload as a PDF       

BUSINESS OPERATIONS RESEARCH EVENT

The 2025-2026 topic for each career category is for participants to collaborate with a local business or organization to seek and incorporate customer feedback into the company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives and overall business strategies. Using the research findings, participants will develop a CSR strategy to achieve internal/external results.

This means understanding what customers value, what concerns them, and how their opinions can inform a company’s CSR actions and practices. Some examples may include:

• ‍Environmental Initiatives: Customers can provide insights into which environmental issues they prioritize, such as reducing carbon emissions, protecting natural resources, or promoting sustainable practices.‍
• Social Impact Programs: Customer feedback can help companies identify social issues they are passionate about, such as poverty reduction, education, or community development.‍
• Ethical Sourcing and Manufacturing: Customers can provide feedback on a company’s sourcing practices, labor standards, and manufacturing processes.‍
• Diversity and Inclusion: Customer perspectives can inform a company’s efforts to create a more inclusive and diverse workplace and customer base.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

The Project Management Events require participants to use project management skills to initiate, plan, execute, monitor and control and close a project.  Participants in the Project Management Events will:

• identify a problem
• develop a project management plan related to the problem
• implement the project using project management skills
• develop a written report and presentation on the project

The new event names are:

• • Business Solutions Project – PMBS
  • Career Development Project – PMCD
  • Community Awareness Project – PMCA
  • Community Giving Project – PMCG
  • Financial Literacy Project – PMFL
  • Sales Project – PMSP

• 1 – 3 participants per team                                                                           Project Management Event Guidelines
• Maximum length of 20 pages and 15 minutes to present
• DLG Judge Pro online submission by January 9, 2026 maximum 30 MB upload as a PDF
• Click here for resources made available through MBAResearch in partnership with Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF).

• 1 – 3 participants per team
• NEW THIS YEAR:    For current 10-page prepared events (Innovation Plan, Start Up Business Plan, Stock Market Game, Integrated Marketing Campaign-Event, Product and Service), the written component will now be a pitch deck. Specifications for the pitch deck will be included in the DECA Guide. The pitch deck will be uploaded prior to ICDC.
• Varying lengths and 15 minutes to present                 
• DLG Judge Pro online submission by January 9, 2026; maximum 30 MB upload as a PDF

• 1 – 3 participants per team                                                         Integrated Marketing Campaign Events Guidelines
• NEW THIS YEAR:    For current 10-page prepared events (Innovation Plan, Start Up Business Plan, Stock Market Game, Integrated Marketing Campaign-Event, Product and Service), the written component will now be a pitch deck. Specifications for the pitch deck will be included in the DECA Guide. The pitch deck will be uploaded prior to ICDC.
• 15 minutes to present
• DLG Judge Pro online submission by January 9, 2026; maximum 30 MB upload as a PDF
• Students will write an exam at Regionals level; the weighted average of the team exam score will determine if they move on to Provincials
• They do NOT compete at an in-person event at the Regional level; exam only
• Marketing Cluster Performance Indicators

• Each of these events are an individual event                   Professional Selling and Consulting Events Guidelines
• Maximum 15 minutes to present
• DLG Judge Pro online submission by January 9, 2026;  maximum 30 MB file uploaded as PDF
• Unlike the US guidelines, a report/research notes/powerpoint presentation slides must be submitted. A SIGNIFICANT amount of research must be provided in order to make it to the next round.  NO standardized guidelines are required so the student can include whatever they feel is relevant to be read by the Judge.
• Students will write an exam at Regionals level; the exam score will determine if you move on to Provincials
• They do NOT compete at an in-person event at the Regional level; exam only

2025-2026 SCENARIOS for each of the areas

Financial Consulting (FCE)

For 2025-2026, you will assume the role of a financial consultant who specializes in advising small business owners and entrepreneurs. A potential new client, a local artist who sells paintings, prints, sculptures, etc., has recently turned their passion into a successful online business. The potential new client has scheduled a meeting with you to discuss strategies for managing their rapid growth.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling (HTPS)

For 2025-2026, you will assume the role of director of sales for a company specializing in social media influencer partnership strategy. The vice president of marketing for a local convention and visitors bureau has scheduled a meeting with you to discuss using your services to create an influencer program to drive brand awareness, increase hotel occupancy and create authentic visitor engagement.

Helpful Resources:

• ‍Influencer Marketing in the Hospitality Sector‍
• Keys to Influencer-Driven Hotel Bookings‍
• Influencer Marketing in Hotels‍
• Is Paris Hilton The Perfect Spokesperson for Hilton Hotels?‍
• NFL Legend Jason Kelce Joining Marriott Bonvoy and Courtyard by Marriott as First-Ever ‘Fanbassador,’ Bringing Passionate NFL Fans a Series of Unforgettable Experiences

Professional Selling (PSE)

For 2025-2026, you will assume the role of a sales representative for a company that specializes in subscription-based employee training and development platforms. A local non-profit business owner has scheduled a meeting with you to explore how your platform can help upskill their staff, improve customer service, and increase employee retention. The owner is particularly interested in solutions that are cost-effective, easy to implement, and tailored to the unique challenges of the non-profit industry.

Helpful Resources:

• ‍How Learning and Development Can Retain and Attract Talent
• ‍Creating a Culture of Training and Development in the Workplace‍
• Why Businesses Should Invest in Employee Training‍
• Why are Learning Subscriptions Critical for Employees