Seattle.internet.com has learned that Washington DECA, an organization that provides high school marketing and business students with leadership training, internships and competitions, is holding their State Competition at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue on March 8-10. 2,500 students from some 225 schools throughout Washington State are expected to participate.
According to DECA’s Brenda Dotson, this year’s competition definitely has an Internet twist to it. One of the competitions, called “Technical Marketing,” will feature presentations ranging from what role e-commerce plays in a brick and mortar company to a marketing presentation of an online inventory management system.
The “Employment Acquisition” competition will be called this year “Online Employment Acquisition”. Various companies have already posted entry-level openings on DECA’s Web site and students have completed online applications. All that is left for them now …is to face the recruiters for a one-on-one interview at the Meydenbauer.
According to Dotson, there is still a need for more judges to take part in the event. There are two shifts: 7:00am-12:00pm and 12:30pm-5:30pm. Dotson believes that this could not just be a great opportunity for Industry professionals to help high school students learn more about the business arena and how to be successful, but also to network with other professionals.
“We will have a total of 690 judges. Currently there are 430 judges …so there are a lot of shifts still available,” says Dotson. Industry players are already lining up to contribute to this event. Rob Matthews, VP of advertising for Nintendo, will be chairing the event. Matthews like Dotson are both DECA alumni.
Washington DECA is also on the lookout for some keynote speakers for its annual leadership conference in October as well as companies interested in sponsoring their various events throughout the year.
Those of you that are interested in taking part in the March event, can register online at DECA’s Web site.