WILMINGTON, DE--(Marketwired - Aug 13, 2013) - This year, approximately 12,000 student members of DECA vied for the opportunity to be recognized as emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in a variety of marketing disciplines at the organization's 67th annual International Career Development Conference held April 24 - 27 in Anaheim, California. The students participated in competitive events at DECA's ICDC after earning the opportunity to represent their association and chapter at qualifying events that garnered participation from more than 120,000 members. Vector Marketing Corporation, the single-level direct sales division of Cutco Cutlery Corporation, sponsored the Entrepreneurship -- Growing Your Business portion of the competition. Cutco is the largest manufacturer and direct seller of high-quality kitchen cutlery in North America.
During the school year, the pool of approximately 120,000 DECA student members participated in the organization's competitive events program, allowing them to compete for local and state titles. The competitions were designed to simulate real-life business scenarios and test students' academic understanding and skills development. The top state and provincial winners were invited to represent their chapter during the competition's final round in Anaheim.
The event included 167 students representing 94 teams, with the top 10 teams receiving awards totaling $2,500. The top three teams were:
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1st Place - Andrew Jacob and Andre Najmolholda, West Bloomfield High School, Michigan
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2nd Place - Zack Wolf and Keegan Kendrick, Smith-Cotton High School, Missouri
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3rd Place - Ben Baxter and Marc Lotorto, Inglemoor, Washington
"Vector Marketing is proud to join with other prestigious companies in sponsoring the DECA's ICDC competitive events program," said Helen Brown, Vector Marketing Corporation's academic outreach manager. "It is gratifying and rewarding to help cultivate tomorrow's sales and marketing leaders, and to witness what these remarkable students can accomplish at such a young age."
Students were given the opportunity to select from close to 50 marketing-related categories in which to participate. A total of close to $500,000 in scholarships and awards were presented to students and teachers for their achievements.
About Cutco Cutlery Corporation and Vector Marketing
Cutco Cutlery is a 64-year-old company with headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Olean, New York. Vector Marketing is the company's sales division, coordinating all sales for Cutco Cutlery through a national network of college students who sell products through in-home personal demonstrations. More than 15 million US households have a Cutco product.
About DECA
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. DECA enhances the preparation for college and careers by providing co-curricular programs that integrate into classroom instruction, apply learning, connect to business and promote competition.