Career and Technical Student organizations (CTSOs) are an effective mechanism for achieving the goals of education in the 21st century and No Child Left Behind. Through their hands-on approach to learning, CTSOs provide students with many opportunities to become actively involved in their learning and apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. This experiential approach was vividly on display at DECA's November meeting of its North Atlantic and Southern Regions in Washington, D.C. More than 1,800 DECA student members and advisers participated in the conference. Those attending participated in workshops and leadership experiences focusing on government, hospitality, entrepreneurship, leadership and marketing, including sports and entertainment marketing.