Greetings everyone! Soooo much to write about; I am not even sure where to begin. I have a couple of hours before I have to step onto the podium and do my best John DePalma impression, here at the Florida State Dancesport Championships. If you’re not sure what John DePalma does, you need to attend some comps! Seriously, he is the master of ceremonies at most major events throughout the country. I have personally dubbed him the “Big Kahuna” of Ballroom Dance. I thought it was clever until he started calling me the "Little Kahuna"! Anyway…where am I going with this?? Oh yeah, lots to write about!

Several issues are being tossed around in the ever-exciting world of ballroom dance, one of them being an attempt by the American Ballroom Company to start another circuit for competition organizers to become involved in. According to a letter of invitation that I received recently, it is called the USDSC Champions League. Every organizer is invited to join and it will commence at the end of this year’s U.S. Championships. Here is what seems to be the best part of the whole deal. The organizers don’t have to pony up any dough to join. That’s right, it’s free! No moola, no denero! What more can one ask for, right?

So, I am reading the next page, which explains how an organizer can become eligible to join and all of a sudden “free” doesn’t sound quite the same anymore. First. it states that all participating events must agree to run a four page advertising in their program- one page regarding participation in the league- other pages to show the current leader board, and an ad for USDC Miami. The copy for these pages is to be supplied by the American Ballroom Company. For Pro-Am instructors, Amateur couples and Professional couples, attendance at USDSC is mandatory. For those who have championship events held in Provo, attendance there is also mandatory. (I am wondering how I can convince them to include my competition in the mandatory category?). However, I guess it makes sense that one should be required to attend if they want to receive the award, title etc….

I cannot speak for other organizers but here is the part that really turned me off. The events that participated in the former USDSC regional program, (this is the third attempt to run this circuit), points achieved by competitors will receive a 50% bonus. What?!? Now. I’m thinking, the competitions, that used to belong to the former USDSC regionals that became defunct, are being rewarded with extra points for competitors to attend their events? Why? Why the advantage? There are 13 competitions receiving this benefit. So, Mr. Student, Amateur, Professional is looking over the list of competitions that they can attend and where might you think they would consider going first? And let me ask you this. How many competitions do you attend in one year? 13?….more than 13? Hey, this might actually cost me some competitors who were planning to attend my event but decided to go to an event where they can receive bonus points! But hey, so what, it’s free right?

Next on the list of rewards…. at events hosting a USDSC Championship, competitors will receive a 25% bonus for attending. Now we add in the Millennium 2000, the Hotlanta Challenge, and the Diamond Dancesport. That brings the total up to 16 competitions with the advantage of having an extra incentive for you to attend their venues, not including the mandatory attendance at Miami and Provo. But hey, it may be mandatory but YOU GET DOUBLE POINTS! That makes 18. Maybe joining this circuit is free but, the bigger question is, is it fair? Not in my opinion. Don’t invite me to join the team and then have me sit on the bench! Don’t ask me to attend your party and then serve yourself a double helping of cake!

I do belong to two circuits. In fact, I even pay to do so because I believe in the benefits of unity. A circuit is a great way for organizers to offer things to competitors that they maybe couldn’t do on their own…. ie; prize money, scholarships etc… I would not have joined either of these circuits if they had the same plan as the American Ballroom Company. At this time, I have no interest in joining any circuit that doesn’t have an even playing field for all it’s participants. For me, it just doesn’t make sense…even if it’s free.

On a more positive note, the American Ballroom Company has made attempts in recent years to give more recognition to the pro/am competitors; putting more emphasis on presentation of awards etc… This, I know, is greatly appreciated by the teachers and students who prepare throughout the year for this event. They have also been conscientious about giving former champions who wish to, an opportunity to judge a U.S. championship. In closing, I would like to thank Mr. Kimmins and the American Ballroom Company for asking me to ask you, the readers, your opinion on the following subject. It has to do with judges and I think these are worthy suggestions. In order to give more people an opportunity to judge, should the following rules be implemented; A) No one judges more than 12 NDCA events a year. B) No one judges the same event 2 years in a row. You can respond in the "Question of the week" section. I will give my opinion in the next spin. I think it’s a good question and I hope it is the beginning of many other questions that the American Ballroom Company and the NDCA will look to it’s members, (oops, excuse me, registrants), to be able to make good decisions in the future.
 
Have a great week!
Dan