If you’re reading this article, congratulations! Getting to states was no easy feat, and you’re well on your way towards making the most out of your DECA experiences. We here at Nease DECA are so excited to see how all of you #GetTheEdge this upcoming 2023 year!
This article is based on 2023 Florida DECA rules and regulations. Please keep in mind that these may change depending on the year you’re reading this article in, or your individual chartered association.
Step 1: The Process of Getting to CDC
Let’s first talk about where you currently stand.
Your paper was one of 376 submitted to Florida DECA, and one of 12 selected for your individual category. Papers are judged by volunteers with Florida DECA, and are usually matched by their own experiences and careers to your event. For example, if you competed in FOR (Financial Operations Research), your judge might have been someone who used to work with Bank of America, or has experiences with financial institutes.
In order to qualify for states, your paper must have been extremely competitive against other schools and groups. It is worth noting that your paper has already been scored, so do not revise your papers in any way before CDC. For now, you only need to focus on your presentations, which make up 40% of the possible points you could earn.
Step 2: The Odds for Success
Florida DECA has received new ICDC allocations for the 2022–2023 school year. Starting this year, Florida will send up to eight papers for each Operations Research, Project Management, Entrepreneurship, Integrated Marketing Campaign, and Professional Selling/Consulting event.
Remember, you’ve already scored within the top twelve for the state. That means you only need to outperform four other groups in your category to continue to ICDC. Although competition will no doubt be stiff (even qualifying for states was incredibly difficult this year), you are more likely than not to return to Orlando in April.
Last year, some categories were missing some participants. This year, that is unlikely to occur. Those of you competing in popular events like Operations Research will likely encounter more competition, as many twenty page participants enjoy their flexible and creative nature. In contrast, Project Management events are less popular, since they focus on implementation and specific terminology and tools. On the bright side, should you have actually implemented your plan, you will likely outscore up to 50% of your competition.
Step 3: Presentations
Because your paper has already been scored before you walk through the doors of the Hilton Buena Vista, you only need to focus on a killer presentation. Try to ignore any mistakes or qualms you might have about your paper. Judges can smell your apprehension, so best enter that room with the confidence that you belong there.
What is supposed to be in my presentation?
Your presentation should be a full review of your paper. Your judge is not guaranteed to have read your project/research, so do not go in expecting a judge with full understanding of your entry. Your job is to educate and provide a comprehensive understanding, not remind or skim.
The presentation should include all major sections of your paper. For example, a project management presentation should include Planning and Organizing, Execution, Monitoring and Controlling, etc. Remember, your categories will have individual requirements, so be sure to consult the rubric for a more detailed breakdown of your presentation’s sections.
How long should my presentation be?
You are allotted 15 minutes for the entire duration of your presentation. That means you have 15 minutes for setup, the pitch itself, and any potential questions the judge might have at the end. Your judge will almost certainly have questions, so it’s best if you specifically reserve up to three minutes for your response.
Your judge is not seeking a “gotcha” moment with their questions. They are usually asking for clarification or confirmation, rather than voicing legitimate concerns. This is your project, so don’t feel nervous or apprehensive. No one knows your presentation better than you do, and you’ll find that 99% of the time, answers come to mind smoothly and easily.
A good way to practice is with friends and family, who might be able to anticipate questions that might arise after your presentation. Their outside perspective can help you prepare specific for answers to questions that could be difficult to answer in the heat of the moment.
How should I present? Should I use a script? What about a board?
Usually, you have the choice between a single, large poster board, multiple smaller boards, and a PowerPoint. What you choose is up to your individual preferences, but it is worth considering that boards are usually more engaging than slides.
Regardless of what aid you choose, I recommend you focus on the aesthetics of your presentation. Your medium is a reflection of the effort you put into the project, so don’t cobble together something last minute and lug a hastily glued and cut mess. Your judge will immediately be put-off, and you’ll spend the rest of the presentation assuaging them of their first impressions.
If you’re doing small boards, try to use Staples or Michaels to print directly onto their surface. It may cost around $50, but it's worth the polished and professional feel. Get stands and practice their setup — do not go into the room without practicing! You will inevitably end up wasting precious time and make a fool of yourself in front of the judge.
If you’re using a PowerPoint, try to get a clicker. It will streamline the process and provide seamless transitions without you leaning over the table and pressing keys.
You will not have any access to external power sources or wifi in the ballroom. Remember to download your PowerPoint in multiple ways — whether that be on your computer, in an email, or within a flashdrive. You can never be too safe.
Your presentation will necessitate a script. How closely you choose to memorize it is up to you, but I recommend leaving some breathing room for you to improvise while you’re in the room. It will help make you sound more natural and less robotically monotone. Again, your goal is to stand out. Memorizing a presentation to “Happy Birthday” levels may make you feel more confident, but it also might make you seem boring and scripted. Try to strike a balance between the two extremes for an optimal presentation.
What style should I use?
Your judge might be sitting through 12 different presentations. If you are unlucky enough to present at the end of the day, your judge is likely tired, hungry, and eager to leave the ballroom. The key is to make yourself memorable amidst mediocrity.
What does this entail? A good entrance, for starters. First impressions are everything, and you want to come in with energy and excitement. Try to make the judge feel exhilarated about your monotonous statistics: introduce a funny story, recount personal experiences, and generally act like you’re grateful to be there. The judge will likely not remember your name, the clothes you wore, or even the specific numbers you mentioned. Instead, they will be recalling the way you made them feel while they fill out a bubble sheet with your scores.
This also means leaving with a strong exit. Drop bombshells or dramatic information. Your judge will probably remember the beginning and end of your presentation the best, so focus on those areas to capture attention.
What do I do after presenting?
Be sure to leave the judge with something without monetary value. A business card, infographic, or even a copy of your paper can go a long way towards making your presentation stand out. You want to make sure you leave the judge with something tangible. Don’t be afraid to hand the judge aids to use during your presentation either — oftentimes, this can grant you an increased degree of authenticity and demonstrate your preparation.
If you’re nervous about public speaking or unexpected questions, don’t be. By the time you arrive in Orlando, you will be prepared to the maximum of our collective capabilities. You are there to show off, primp and preen, and show your potential in the event. As soon as time begins, your presentation becomes less of a liability and more of an asset. Remember, you beat out people for the chance to compete at CDC. This is your chance to put words to speech and go beyond the scope of your paper.
The best part of DECA is not competition. It’s the community of dedicated individuals that worked just as hard as you did to be there — and although Cypress Bay may have thousands of members, you are just as (if not more) capable.
At CDC, your success is everyone’s success. The team atmosphere is amazing, and unreplicable anywhere else. You’ll meet some incredible people, hangout at Disney with some of your best friends, and pay for overpriced but still decent food at Disney Springs. You’ll see DECA as an organization beyond Nease, and hopefully qualify for one of the biggest events of the year with 20,000 other members.
On behalf of everyone here at Nease DECA, we’re so excited to see you at CDC. Again, congratulations for your already incredible achievements. We can’t wait to see you on stage, March 4th, in the International Ballroom, holding up 1st place!