This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

Judges are still needed for the 66th annual DECA International Career Development Conference that will be held April 28 through May 1 in Salt Lake City.

The conference will bring together 11,000 high school and colleges students from all 50 states and several countries for career-focused competition in finance, hospitality and tourism, marketing, management and entrepreneurship.

L. Shane Thomas, DECA's director of competitive events, said to date about 500 volunteers have signed up as judges, or about half the number needed.

"The earlier we can get someone to sign up to be a judge, the better," he said. "But we will be accepting volunteers up until the day of the judging."

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

Those who are willing to volunteer to be judges should contact Thomas at 1-703-860-5000, ext. 222, or via email at shane_thomas@deca.org. A list of the competitions is available at http://bit.ly/yrQIcT, along with a sign up form.

"In a perfect world, we would like the judges to be managers and supervisors," Thomas said. "However, we also are happy to take others who feel they have the expertise to be judges for our different competitions."

He added that judges can volunteer to serve during the conference's morning or afternoon sessions, or both.

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. —

DECA's International Career Development Conference 2012

When • April 28 through May 1.

Where • Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center in downtown Salt Lake City.

Who • 11,000 high school and college students from all 50 states and several foreign countries. —

Information for potential judges

A list of the competitions and a sign-up form for judges is available at http://bit.ly/yrQIcT.