This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Area business leaders and others are still needed to judge the competitions for the 66th annual DECA International Career Development Conference, set for April 28 through May 1 at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center.

High school and college students from all 50 states and several countries will gather for career-focused matchups in finance, hospitality and tourism, marketing, management and entrepreneurship.

To be one of the 1,000 judges, contact Shane Thomas, DECA's director of competitive events, at 703-860-5000, ext. 222, or via email at shane_thomas@deca.org. The deadline for applications is March 23.

The conference, which will feature a presentation by business icon George Zimmer, founder and chairman of Men's Wearhouse, is expected to pump more than $14 million into the Salt Lake City-area economy, using more than 1 million square feet of convention center space, 30,000 hotel room nights, 10,000 tickets to area attractions, 250,000 meals served and numerous retail purchases.

DECA is a not-for-profit student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. It operates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, China, Germany, Guam, Hong Kong, South Korea, Mexico and Puerto Rico.