ILCDC 2026 Recap

Hi Illinois DECA! It’s Francisco Soto from the Rising Leaders Team, here to recap the amazing State Conference earlier this month!

Illinois DECA, you truly showed up! What an unforgettable experience at the 81st Annual Illinois DECA Career Development Conference (ILCDC).

Over 2,400 IL DECA members came together at the Hyatt Regency. We competed, networked, had fun, and truly went the extra.

A highlight of the conference was the philanthropic spirit shown by our members. Whether you bought raffle tickets or donated during Miracle Minute to extend curfew, IL DECA members truly showed what it means to be part of this organization. Together, we raised over $7,000 that will be donated to the MDA!

A new and exciting initiative throughout the weekend was pin trading. Members exchanged chapter pins with members from across the state. Among the most sought-after trades was the coveted Illinois DECA State Officer Pin! (consider yourself a winner if you secured one ;))

Beyond the competition, ILCDC was packed with so many fun and entertaining activities. Whether you were crushing the bags tournament, showing off your skills in ping pong, going head-to-head in the Family Feud game show, or completing every task on the Goosechase scavenger hunt, there was something for everyone!

And of course, a HUGE shoutout to everyone who earned a medal or took home ILDECA glass as you aimed to secure your spot for ICDC. Your hard work and dedication paid off! In addition, congratulations to everyone who earned an award, whether through iConnect, scholarships, or chapter campaigns. Your hard work and dedication throughout this past year did not go unnoticed!

Best of luck to everyone heading down to ICDC in Atlanta next month as you strive to win the coveted DECA glass! We can’t wait to see you represent our association!

See you there!