For the first time since 2019, FIT’s Collegiate DECA chapter competed in person at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC), held April 22–25 in Orlando, Florida.
The DECA organization hosts competitive events that test students’ innovation and problem-solving skills in marketing, business administration, hospitality and tourism, finance, and entrepreneurship. In addition to developing and presenting a variety of case studies over the four-day conference, students networked with leading industry executives and peers from other colleges and universities. DECA partners such as AT&T, Hilton, and The NRF Foundation judged events and provided scholarships.
FIT’s Collegiate DECA team, the only chapter present from New York State, brought home nine medals with all members receiving top scores in the preliminary rounds. Chapter president Shannon Higgins, Advertising and Marketing Communications, and Chloe Rosenberg, Entrepreneurship, made it to the final round and scored top honors for their presentations in Travel and Tourism and Entrepreneurship Operations, respectively. Yasmin Garcia, Fashion Business Management, won Top Exam in Human Resources Management, and Kristina Gratton, Advertising and Marketing Communications, won Top Exam in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing.
“The passion and business acumen that our students possess never ceases to amaze me,” says faculty advisor Shelley E. Kohan, associate professor of Fashion Business Management.