become a judge

Each year Washington DECA recruits more than 200 business professionals to volunteer at the Fall Leadership Conference (FLC) and 400 volunteers for the State Career Development Conference (SCDC).

Experts from the business community are a critical element of DECA competitions. In DECA, we call these individuals business and community “judges”. Judging simply requires a background in business and an interest in helping high school students. You must be 4 years out of high school to participate.

Volunteer to Judge

Each year Washington DECA recruits more than 200 business professionals to volunteer at the Fall Leadership Conference (FLC) and 600 volunteers for the State Career Development Conference (SCDC). Experts from the business community are a critical element of DECA competitions. In DECA, we call these individuals business and community “judges”. Judging simply requires a background in business and an interest in helping high school students find their future career path. You must be 4 years out of high school to participate.

Interested in becoming a competition judge? Find out more about this exciting opportunity below.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO SERVE AS A JUDGE?

Judging Opportunities

  • Fall Leadership Conference

    • Date: November 7, 2023 (Tuesday)
    • 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    • Hyatt Regency of Bellevue
    • Registration now closed
  • State Career Development Conference
    • Option 1: February 29 (Thursday)
      • 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
    • Option 2: March 1, 2024 (Friday)
      • 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    • Downtown Bellevue, WA (various locations based on competitive event)
    • Register Today!
    • Judge in marketing, hospitality and tourism, finance, business management/administration, or entrepreneurship events
  • Area Competitions

    • December and January
    • Please click here to contact the Area Leader associated with your region.
  • Written Event Judging (virtual)
    • From the comfort of your home, office or favorite coffee shop, evaluate student written projects in the areas of project management, operations research and entrepreneurship
    • Judge on your own time, January 20-26, 2024, for 5-6 hours.
    • Register Today!

COMPETITIVE EVENTS PROGRAM

A critical component of a student’s DECA experience is the participation in DECA’s competitive events program. These events apply learning, making the connection to business, and directly contribute to every student being college or career ready by focusing on the following outcomes:

Academically Prepared

DECA’s competitive events provide an avenue for members to demonstrate National Curriculum Standards through individual or team activities and to develop and employ the key skills of analysis, application of knowledge, creative problem solving, and logical presentation.

Community Oriented

DECA’s competitive events help members explore their communities, participate in collaborative environments, and recognize their responsibility to the community.

Professionally Responsible 

DECA’s competitive events encourage members to develop ethics, integrity, and high standards while assuming responsibility for self-improvement and self-discipline.

Experienced Leaders

DECA’s competitive events provide constructive avenues for team expression, initiative, and creativity. Students participate at the local regional level in early January, with the winners proceeding to state competition in early March.

“JUDGING AT DECA REMINDS ME THAT THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY IS IN GOOD HANDS WITH THIS GENERATION OF SMART, PASSIONATE STUDENTS.”

Daniel L. Hammes, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

“BEING A VOLUNTEER JUDGE FOR DECA PROVIDES ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP MENTOR OUR NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS AND INNOVATORS. BUT THE REAL REASON I DO IT IS BECAUSE IT’S FUN!”

David Kaplan, Custom Business Solutions
“IT IS TRULY INSPIRING TO SEE SUCH TALENTED YOUNG PEOPLE WITH OUT OF THE BOX AND CREATIVE IDEAS. IT MAKES YOU FEEL HOPEFUL ABOUT OUR FUTURE LEADERS AND INNOVATORS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD.”
Andrea Drinkwater, BECU
“JUDGING PROPOSALS THROUGH THE ONLINE PORTAL WAS SO EASY AND FUN, I WISH I HAD MORE TO REVIEW!”
Jordan Bowen, Umpqua Bank
“As a former DECA student and competitor, it has been my honor and privilege to participate as a judge for these outstanding students. It is great to see how DECA has continued to evolve through the years staying current with economic trends. This continued evolution ensures student success in an ever-changing industrial and economic environment.”
Nina Durante, Liberty Mutual
“WHAT AN HONOR IT IS TO LISTEN TO OUR FUTURE LEADERS AS THEY PRESENT INNOVATIVE AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING BUSINESS IDEAS AND STRATEGIES. DECA PROVIDES THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO HONE VALUABLE SKILLS THAT CANNOT BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE TECHNOLOGY CURRENTLY AT THEIR FINGERTIPS.”
Donnie Maxwell, Bank of America

INVEST IN THE LIVES OF WASHINGTON’S STUDENT LEADERS