Arkansas DECA Celebrates 80th Annual Conference

Record number of students compete at state's largest high school business competition

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Arkansas chapter of DECA, a high school business and marketing organization, kicked off its 80th annual State and Career Development Conference at the Hot Springs Convention Center on Monday. The two-day event drew around 1,000 students from across the state to compete, develop leadership skills, and network as part of the organization's milestone anniversary.

Why it matters

DECA has been a cornerstone of business and entrepreneurship education in Arkansas for decades, helping prepare high school students for college and careers. The record attendance at this year's conference highlights the continued popularity and importance of the organization in the state.

The details

The Arkansas DECA conference features a variety of competitive events where students demonstrate their business, marketing, and entrepreneurial abilities. Events range from individual case studies to team-based challenges. In addition to the competitions, the conference also includes leadership development workshops and networking opportunities for attendees.

  • The Arkansas DECA State and Career Development Conference kicked off on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • The two-day conference runs through Tuesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

DECA

A nonprofit student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

Arkansas DECA

The Arkansas chapter of DECA, which has been hosting the state's largest high school business competition for 80 years.

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What’s next

The top-performing students at the Arkansas DECA conference will advance to the DECA International Career Development Conference later this year.

The takeaway

The record attendance at this year's Arkansas DECA conference underscores the organization's enduring impact on business and entrepreneurship education in the state, helping prepare the next generation of leaders.