If you’ve never been to ICDC, let me paint the picture. Imagine thousands of teenagers in blazers flooding an airport, Starbucks cups in hand, loudly practicing role plays in the boarding area while regular travelers look like they’re questioning their life choices. That was me last April—suitcase stuffed with more business-casual clothes than I’d ever worn in my life, boarding pass in hand, and absolutely buzzing with nerves and caffeine.

The Flight

The energy starts the second you see another school in matching polos at the gate. It’s like you’re part of a secret society: everyone knows you’re about to head into the same competition battlefield, but for now, you’re all just kids trying not to miss your flight.

Our chapter had the 6 a.m. flight (because apparently sleep isn’t real during ICDC week). I remember sitting between my teammate and a random business traveler who 100 percent regretted his seat assignment once we started loudly debating whether ROI or customer acquisition was a more important performance indicator. DECA brain never turns off.

The flight itself? Pure chaos. Someone tried to practice a role play in the aisle (no, it didn’t work). Someone else realized they left their DECA blazer in a checked bag (rookie mistake). And me? I was alternating between Quizlet flashcards and stress-napping with my neck pillow.

Arrival Chaos

When we landed, it hit me: this wasn’t just another competition. The airport was crawling with blazers. Every ten feet, you’d hear a “good luck!” or see a team huddled around a laptop. The escalators looked like a business conference crashed a high school field trip.

Then came baggage claim—where every single black roller bag looked the same. I nearly walked off with a bag from Florida because it had the same blue ribbon tied on the handle. Pro tip: tie something neon or sparkly to yours, or risk living out of someone else’s suits.

The chaos didn’t stop once we got to the hotel. Imagine hundreds of chapters all trying to check in at once, dragging suitcases the size of small cars through the lobby. It felt less like a hotel and more like DECA headquarters. Everywhere you turned: blazers, lanyards, people frantically studying their event lists.

The Energy

Despite the chaos, the energy at ICDC is unreal. It’s like the Super Bowl of DECA. Everyone is hyped, everyone is nervous, and everyone is ready to compete. The first time I walked into the opening session, I swear it felt like a concert. Music blasting, lights flashing, thousands of us chanting “DECA! DECA!” like we were part of some blazer-wearing cult. (Which—let’s be real—we kind of are.)

There’s something electric about being surrounded by people who care about this weird, niche thing as much as you do. At school, you might be “the DECA kid.” At ICDC, you’re one of thousands. It’s validating and intimidating all at once.

The Little Things

It’s not all big lights and hype though. ICDC is also about the small, chaotic moments:

Running into a chapter from across the country that you only knew through Instagram. Realizing you forgot to pack socks and sprinting to the hotel gift shop at 11 p.m. Sharing late-night pep talks with your team when nerves kick in. Practicing role plays in the hallway while other teams walk by, secretly sizing you up.

Those moments stick just as much as the actual competition.

What I Learned (So Far)

ICDC teaches you fast that preparation matters—but so does adaptability. Flights get delayed, bags get lost, and you’ll probably end up eating Chick-fil-A in a suit at some point. But through all of it, you’ve got your team, your blazer, and the wild energy of being part of something huge.

Part 1 of ICDC Diaries is all about that transition—the leap from your regular high school life into the adrenaline-fueled bubble that is international competition. The flight, the chaos, the energy: it’s overwhelming and exhilarating, and it’s only the beginning.