Lake Ozark saw an early spring buzz with over 1,500 high school students from all over Missouri.  The students gathered at the Lodge at Four Seasons Monday for the 35th annual DECA conference.

DECA is a career development group for students passionate about marketing and business.

Participants engaged in situational business training and presented mock business proposals to judges.

Seminars ranged from topics in Internet marketing to financial literacy promotion projects.

One Hickman High School student says despite the weak economy, the practice he gets from the conference is vital.

Senior Andrew Schutte said, "Economy-wise, especially with marketing, they're always going to need marketing, they're always trying to advertise, so I think it's a pretty safe job. Even though people aren't spending as much money."

Schutte plans on attending MU and studying business after graduation.

Fellow Hickman senior Graham Lloyd said his second trip to the conference made him feel better about the state of the economy.

He said, "It gives me confidence that I can succeed and it really increases the skills I'll have going into the future."

One mid-Missouri student said she has mixed feelings about the business world's future.

Tipton High School student Kelsey Bagwill said, "I'm really worried that, the recession and everything is hitting in the prime of my life and I'm worried I won't be able to get where I want to go in the future."

The conference began on Sunday with keynote and motivational speakers, and ends on Tuesday with the announcement of the national representatives.

The national conference is in Anaheim, Calif.