This week marks another milestone for the meetings and convention industry in Rochester as the New York State DECA Career Conference returns to an in-person event in Rochester since February 2020. Beginning Monday, March 8, more than 750 high school students from across New York State will visit Rochester for DECA’s 2022 Annual State Career Conference. The DECA conference will take place at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.
This year’s conference, taking place March 8-11, 2022 marks a return to Rochester for DECA’s annual conference. The group last convened in Rochester in February 2020, just prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the Annual State Conference DECA student members from across New York gather each year for competitions, workshops, State Officer campaigns, and networking. The best competitors at SCC qualify to attend the International Career Development Conference.
DECA is a student organization whose program of leadership and personal development is designed specifically for high school students interested in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. Over the course of the conference, students will compete in a variety of events designed to test their skills in fields ranging from financing to hospitality to advertising and many other categories involving marketing and business.
Membership in DECA is open to all students who are enrolled in a state approved, career-technical marketing education program, including business and management pathway students. DECA provides opportunities for students to develop skills in the areas of vocational understanding, leadership development, civic consciousness, and social intelligence.
Conference attendees will be staying at six different Rochester hotels and utilizing space at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center for conference activities.
“We are pleased to welcome New York DECA back to Rochester, for their first in-person conference since COVID. 2022 marks the 24th year for our city to host their State Career Conference,” said Kris Hughes, Director of Sales, Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. “New York DECA is eager to return to the Rochester community, citing the convenience of having a major hotel connected to the convention center, and additional hotels within walking distance. DECA’s board has worked diligently with our team to make changes to this year’s conference to ensure the health and safety of all attendees, as well as to coordinate a virtual aspect for those chapters that have opted not to attend in-person. Local business professionals volunteer their time, talent and guidance, which helps expose the students to the professional world. The State Career Conference is a stepping stone which helps prepare these young adults for the next chapter in their academic lives.”
- Who: DECA, 750 high school students from NYS
- What: New York DECA | Annual State Career Conference
- Where: Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center
- When: March 8-11, 2022
About Visit Rochester
Visit Rochester is the official tourism promotion agency for Greater Rochester and Monroe County. Visit Rochester is a membership organization with over 400 members representing, lodging, retail, restaurants, services, and community organizations. Working together with our members and partners, our mission is to sell and market Greater Rochester as a preferred destination in order to grow and maximize visitor spending and to enhance the economy. To learn more go to visitrochester.com.
About the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center
Conveniently located in the heart of Rochester, New York, the Rochester Riverside Convention Center enjoys a scenic setting on the Genesee River plus enclosed walkway connections to major hotels and parking garages.
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