This is a research project conducted by Micah Melling, Central Region Vice President for 2011-2012. This resource provides an overview of Central Region DECA.

1. This research project was conducted by Micah Melling, Central Region
Vice President for 2011-2012.
Central Region DECA
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, management, hospitality,
and finance in high schools and colleges around the globe. DECA’s Central Region encompasses 13 state
associations in the Midwest as well as the Canadian province of Manitoba.
State/Provincial Associations
Iowa
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Manitoba
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
North Dakota
Nebraska
Ohio
South Dakota
Wisconsin
History
Of the 17 charter states accepted to National DECA in 1948, over a third of them were from the Central
Region (Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, and Indiana). In 1968, the first Central Region
Leadership Conference (CRLC) was held in St. Paul, Minnesota. Due to the great success of the first
CRLC, this conference was made an annual event.
Throughout the late 60s and 70s, CRLCs drew close to 2,000 attendees each year. In 1975, the Central
Region Board of Governors adopted the Central Region Conference Articles of Agreement, which
provided a specific direction for the region. In 1977, the 10th annual CRLC was hosted by North Dakota.
This conference stands out in DECA history because a large snow storm and sub-zero temperatures kept
delegates in North Dakota for several extra days.
Highlights of CRLCs in the 80s include a performance by super-band Three Dog Night in 1986, the 20th
annual CRLC in 1987, and the adoption of a new Central Region Conference Articles of Agreement in
1987. In 1996, over 3,500 students attended the CRLC held in Minneapolis, making it the largest CRLC
on record.

2. Central Region Today
Since the turn of the millennium, DECA’s Central Region has continued to be a force in the international
organization. Quality Central Region Vice Presidents are elected each spring to serve National DECA.
Also, National Presidents have come from the Central Region in recent years. The Central Region
Leadership Conference continues to be a premier DECA conference and boasts between 2,000-3,000
attendees each year.
Central Region Vice President
The current Central Region Vice President for National DECA is Micah Melling from Clinton, Missouri.
More information on Micah can be found on the DECA website (deca.org).
Central Region DECA Online
Central Region DECA can be found on three online outlets: website (crdeca.org), Facebook, and Twitter
(@DECA_CR).