DECA's 63rd International Career Development Conference to Commence April 29 in Anaheim

Special guests include Josie Maran, Dave Foley and musical group Mosaic

ANAHEIM, Calif., April 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) will host the 63rd annual International Career Development Conference (ICDC) April 29 - May 2 in Anaheim, Calif. The ICDC is expected to draw more than 15,000 DECA members, advisors, alumni and affiliated businesspeople and will kick off with the Grand Opening Session on April 29 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The impressive opening event will include a parade of flags, presentations of awards and scholarships and a special appearance by musical sensation Mosaic.

"For sixty-three years, the ICDC has been the climax of a year of learning through competition for our students," according to Edward L. Davis, DECA's executive director. "No matter how many years I attend the event, I am always amazed and inspired by the preparation and professionalism of our students."

A key feature of the 2009 conference will be the presentation of DECA's 2nd annual Entrepreneurial Spirit Award to model, actress and ecological entrepreneur Josie Maran. The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award was created by DECA in 2007 to recognize outstanding entrepreneurs whose leadership and achievements serve as both a model and inspiration for DECA's more than 200,000 high school and college members.

"I'm thrilled and honored to accept the 2009 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award," said Josie Maran, owner and founder of Josie Maran Cosmetics. "Using my personal and professional experience in multiple industries to launch my own cosmetics line has been an extraordinarily fulfilling adventure. My hope is that DECA students, while learning business basics, can also draw from their own individual passions to create successful entrepreneurial endeavors in the future."

DECA will also continue to highlight their ongoing partnership with Safeway at the 2009 ICDC. The company is a longtime supporter of DECA's educational programs, including serving as an example of corporate social responsibility through their joint support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

"Safeway was founded on the dream of one entrepreneur," said Roger Glenn, group vice president of talent management for Safeway. "We believe that our continued investment in DECA programs keeps that dream alive for the next generation of executives, innovators and entrepreneurs -- at Safeway and in every sector of our economy."

Representatives from the MDA will also be present at the event. This year, DECA will present the organization with a check for $500,000. During the course of their multiyear relationship with the MDA, DECA chapters have donated over $5 million to the organization.

"The Muscular Dystrophy Association could not operate successfully without the support of organizations such as DECA," said Luke Christie, MDA National Youth Chairman and ICDC representative. "I'm looking forward to attending the conference and meeting some of the students who have worked so hard and given so much."

A new entertainment marketing partnership between bataFILMS and DECA will also launch at this year's ICDC. The partnership will allow DECA students to use the film company's products as entertainment marketing projects and chapter fundraisers. To help launch this partnership, bataFILMS will present several sneak previews of the new film The Strip (http://www.thestripthemovie.com/) at the ICDC and the film's star Dave Foley will be on hand for a special meet-and-greet with attendees.

"My son's passion for filmmaking, coupled with my passion for entrepreneurship, has created an incredible opportunity for our team," said Jay Khan, chairman of bataFILMS. "That's why, when we started talking about DECA as a partner in our new, collaborative business model for marketing and distributing our motion pictures, we knew we couldn't miss!"

This year's event marks the eighth time the ICDC has been held in Anaheim. Participants are expected to occupy 11 area hotels, filling more than 5,000 rooms with 25,000 room nights during the course of the conference. Attendees will also visit multiple area attractions and use a variety of local charter services. The anticipated economic impact to the city of Anaheim is estimated to be around $14 million.

"We're excited that the ICDC has chosen to return to Anaheim for the eighth time," said Bob Hernandez, Mayor Pro Tem of Anaheim. "As a former member of DECA, I can testify to the tremendous value of these programs. They were fundamental to my professional success, my commitment to service and the realization of my personal life goals. I'm thrilled that we can host these exceptional young people, their advisors and supporting business partners for such an electrifying event."

About DECA

DECA is a 501-(C) (3) not-for-profit student organization preparing its membership for careers in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. DECA operates in all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico and Germany. The Unites States Congress, the United States Department of Education and the state, district and international departments of education authorize DECA's programs. For more information about DECA programs and the 2009 ICDC visit www.deca.org.

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