GLENDALE, AZ – Members of Glendale Community College’s (GCC) Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) captured top honors in Retail Management and Event Planning at the recent Arizona DECA State Career Development Conference. GCC students demonstrated exceptional business acumen and professional skills, securing first and second-place finishes in competitive events.
William Nez claimed first place in the Retail Management Individual event, showcasing superior knowledge of retail operations, customer service strategies, and business management principles. His performance distinguished him among collegiate competitors from across Arizona.
The team of Joselin Lopez and Shreeya Maduri earned second place in the Event PlanningTeam event, demonstrating excellent collaboration and expertise in event coordination, logistics, and marketing strategies. Their innovative approach to event managementimpressed judges and highlighted their readiness for careers in the hospitality and business sectors.
“These achievements reflect the dedication and talent of our students, as well as the quality of business education at GCC,” stated Marco Moreno, GCC DECA Advisor. “William, Joselin, and Shreeya have worked incredibly hard to develop their skills and represent our college with excellence.”
DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) is an international association that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. The organization’s competitive events provide students with real-world business scenarios, where they can apply classroom knowledge, develop professional skills, and compete at the state and international levels.
The competitive events program evaluates students on their ability to analyze business problems, develop strategic solutions, and present recommendations to industry professionals who serve as judges. Events range from individual role-plays to team-based case studies and prepared presentations.
First and second-place finishers at the state level qualify to advance to the International Career Development Conference (ICDC), where they will compete against top performers from around the world. ICDC 2026 is scheduled for April 18-21 in Louisville, Kentucky.
GCC’s DECA chapter provides students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, network with business professionals, and gain hands-on experience in their chosen career fields. The GCC chapter offers students practical applications of business concepts learned in the classroom while building confidence and professional competencies.