CofC DECA

    It is turning out to be a great Monday!   

    I just received some wonderful news regarding one of the college organizations within the School of Business: CofC DECA. Before I share what I have learned, I think an introduction is in order to what the CofC DECA really is!

    DECA is an organization for both high school and collegiate students. As I wandered through the main DECA website I found that their mission statement is to prepare "emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management... around the globe." What an awesome organization! 

    Our collegiate chapter of DECA recently participated in the national conference--the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, FL. Over 200 students participated in this competition. The students competed in a role play type situation. They were asked to assume the role of a sales manager of a hotel. In this position, each student was required to formulate a plan to increase the hotel's RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room). Now, there was a second competition for the top ten participants in this challenge. These students participated in another role play situation as the marketing manager of a hotel. Their job was to then develop a plan to increase reservations on the hotel's website and through phone calls directly. 

One of the students in the DECA chapter at the College of Charleston, Kristen Rayner, won 2nd place in this competition! How exciting is that??

    There were so many different elements involved during this competition that required knowledge from the Hospitality and Tourism department. Students were required to use managerial skills, problem-solving methods, and implement plans to increase profits. So many other skills were necessary to succeed in this competition! This is a great example of how well-prepared students are coming out of the Hospitality and Tourism department of our school! The School of Business should be very proud!! 

    Congratulations Kristen for representing the College of Charleston in such a positive light! 

    If anyone is interested in joining CofC DECA, you can access their Facebook page here!

-- Lila the Student Blogger