The DECA International Career Development Conference is the highlight of the year for the career and technical student organization, as marketing students demonstrate their skills, achievements and leadership abilities. DECA, which began in 1946 as the Distributive Education Clubs of America, is a national association of marketing students and the educators and administrators who support them. It was founded to give high school and college students educational and career opportunities in marketing and business. An integral part of DECA's success is the strong partnerships it forges with the business community to provide students with coveted workforce skills and leadership training that is integrated into their academic scholarship. Students hone those skills through hands-on job training, local chapter projects, and state, regional and national competitive events in a wide variety of marketing occupational areas.