What should DECA members focus on during networking events?

During networking events, DECA members should focus on making connections, exchanging contact information, and engaging in meaningful conversations because these activities are essential for establishing strong professional relationships. Meaningful conversations allow members to learn from one another, share insights, and discover mutual interests that can lead to collaboration or support in future endeavors. By exchanging contact information, members can maintain these connections beyond the event, ensuring that the relationships can flourish over time.

Building a large group of acquaintances can lead to superficial connections that lack depth, making it harder to leverage those relationships for future opportunities. Promoting one's own business interests can come off as self-serving and may alienate potential connections. Additionally, listening quietly to others without actively engaging defeats the purpose of networking, which is to foster interaction and collaboration. Therefore, focusing on meaningful engagement during events is the most effective strategy for DECA members looking to maximize their networking experience.