Members of SCHS DECA, seniors Jayden Carey, Emma Shatro, Colleen Ney, and sophomore Avery Thro attended a Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference located in Orlando, Florida, held between Jan. 28 and Feb. 1. 

The DECA Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference consisted of chapters and schools throughout the entire country, including Mexico and Puerto Rico. Each day started with a conference that consisted of four speakers that were in the world of Sports and Entertainment Marketing. The variety of speakers discussed their journeys with employment along with the importance of networking and valuing and even how experiences contribute to success.

Aside from morning conferences, in the afternoon attendees found themselves at Universal Studios where they were able to visit all three Universal parks, even including the new Epic Universe. 

To attend this conference members paid a total of $830 which included registration fees, flight tickets, and their hotel stay at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort To raise money for this trip members were able to fundraise money by doing something called “blackout my board”. This fundraising method made it possible for students to spend little to no money as most of it came from donations made by family and friends that went towards covering trip costs.

Senior Colleen Ney is familiar with school-related trips as she has been to Tampa, Florida, as well as Disneyworld with the school band in the past. When it comes to the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference, Ney’s favorite part of the trip was being able to connect with her peers.

 “My absolute favorite part was being able to go there with these people, I think it was truly life changing,” said Ney.

Along with making connections, she also enjoyed Universal along with some amazing foods and lots of Butterbeer.

What interested sophomore Avery Thro on the trip was the conference in general. Thro has always loved both playing and watching sports and found a love in taking the sports and entertainment class last semester. Thro enjoyed the warm weather in Orlando and her overall favorite part of the trip was either going to the new Epic Universe or riding the Velociocoaster ride. If Thro had the opportunity to attend the trip again she definitely would.

“It was a great experience and I got to learn so much while also having so much fun at the parks,” Thro said.

DECA sponsor Judith Simmons has already made plans to attend this conference again next year as long as students have interest and are able to raise money for trip costs. Throughout the trip Simmons appreciated the opportunity of being able to create stronger bonds with students.

“Being in a position where we’re traveling together, they get to know me a little bit better, and I get to know them and learn more about what’s going on in their life and what makes them enjoy things in school,” said Simmons.