Ballroom Sponsorship

[pygmalion]

Another dance website out there has a forum designed for dance groups looking for sponsorships -- financial, costumes, shoes, etc.

Question: How does sponsorship work in the ballroom world, and is sponsorship a viable option for just your average dancer to help offset the enormous cost of performance and competition? Or is this something that works only for the top pros?

[Larinda McRaven]

Speaking from my personal experience...
We got our first sponsorship from Dore Costumes. We were attending our 4th professional competiton together, so we were by no means anything special. (we came in absolutely dead last at our first comp)

We simply went up to the Dore sales rep and said "Hi! How does someone get sponsored?" Her answer was "We sponsor couples that we like and are nice to us, not neccessarily the champions." , although they were sponsoring the Smooth champions at the time, Ed Simon and Michelle Officer.

So we said, "What can we do for you...??!!!" And this is my biggest point to make. Companies like it when you have something to offer them, not just that you are a extraordinary dancer.

For all of the sponsorships we have and are woking towards now, we have always taken the attitude that we must earn the companys trust and admiration as people first, then as dancers.

Also, we have been offered sponsorships from companies that we have turned down. We simply did not believe in the product and did not feel comfortable receiving compensation for helping to market something we would never ever purchase for ourselves.

Just a few thoughts...

[pygmalion]

Wow! That's great advice. Kind of like networking in other aspects of life. Make sure you use, but not abuse your network. Meaning, make sure you have something to give, and not always go looking for something to take.

Interestingly, it does look like sponsorship might work on a smaller level as well. I got a PM from someone looking to sponsor a couple. How about that? It's not just the ballroom big wigs. It looks like it could work for the little to medium wigs as well. 8)

[mamboqueen]

Are competitors allowed to have sponsors? Are there limitations/rules??

[alemana]

you mean pros, right?

[mamboqueen]

No...amateurs.

[Porfirio Landeros]

Yes, at least the last time I read the rules.

You just have to let USABDA know/approve the arrangement in advance.

[mamboqueen]

Thanks. And these rules carry over to ams that do pro/ams? (Pardon me -- that was probably a stupid question...) :shock:

[Porfirio Landeros]

As long as the sponsorships aren't direct cash, I don't think the NDCA/PRO-AM circuit will mind. Like, if you had a dressmaker giving you dresses, or a shoe sponsor, etc...

The NDCA still may not even mind cash for lessons, as long as it's getting paid directly to your teacher. I don't know if you remember the stink that came up with scholarship checks being made out directly to the Pro; Ams have felt the check should be there's since they could use it as a reimbursement for past lessons and/or travel to the comp.

[Chris Stratton]

You might have problems in pro/am if the pro has existing arrangements with another outfit. There's only one pocket on his suit, and it may already be allocated to whoever made his pro partner's dress.

But then you probably would have the most luck with a company outside the dance industry. For those inside, pro/am students are the market, and pros the billboards.

[alemana]

MQ you got a big sponsorship to tell us about? :)

[mamboqueen]

Nothing big. Working on something from a local company. They probably won't do it because the comp is out of their market area, but I'm pushing nonetheless. I have to hone in my sales skills (which means I usally cry).

[Laura]

Thanks. And these rules carry over to ams that do pro/ams? (Pardon me -- that was probably a stupid question...) :shock:

USA Dance rules do not have any bearing at all on anything that is sanctioned by the NDCA, including (especially) Pro/Am competition.

[Wildon]

Thanks. And these rules carry over to ams that do pro/ams? (Pardon me -- that was probably a stupid question...) :shock:

USA Dance rules do not have any bearing at all on anything that is sanctioned by the NDCA, including (especially) Pro/Am competition.

Correctamundo, oh wise one!

[DancingJools]

Nancy Senner, who dances pro-am with her husband, Eddie Ares, was/is sponsored by a major name in dance couture in the US (I'm not being intentionally vague - it's just I'm on the road and can't check the comp programs for the name). It is a well-known design house, and last year used to feature Nancy quite prominently in their ads - may be they still so. I don't know of any reason why a pro-am student should not be sponsored.

[Laura]

Joolz, you're thinking of DeRay.

A friend of mine who used to do Pro/Am was briefly sponsored by Dee's Creations.

[Ithink]

I was wondering, for anyone who is familiar with such arrangements, either personally or through friends, what does a dress sponsorship usually entail? What are some of the terms, arrangements people make with their sponsors and their sponsors with them?

Any and all examples would be welcome!!!

Thanks:)

[Katarzyna]

A lot of couples that are sponsored only have to wear the dresses, some are responsible for helping promote them as well or even selling them. It really depends on the level of the couple and which designer we're talking about. It actually varies quite a bit... (Although getting one would be so wonderful...:rolleyes: )

[lynn]

do you have to ask or do the designers come to you automatically? I guess that kind of depends on the dancers' reputation....

[Katarzyna]

I haven't figured that one out since I don't have one :( ..
I am sure the highest level couples are approched, other couples ask or are approached because of standing out in some specific group... ideally group with a nice income etc...

[Ithink]

How does the level of the couple figure into it? And when they have to help sell them, what kinds of things do they do to make the sale?

[wyllo]

I've always wondered how many people are actually sponsored? I would think all the pro finalists have deals, but is this a safe assumption and how far down the line does it go? Are amateur and pro-am dancers able to get sponsors when they reach a certain level?

[Katarzyna]

Well, the better dancers the better the gown will look on the floor so the better promotion. Better couples tend to compete more and more prestigious events, therefore visibility...

Some designers ask for them to act as sales reps wherever they are located..

[Katarzyna]

I've always wondered how many people are actually sponsored? I would think all the pro finalists have deals, but is this a safe assumption and how far down the line does it go? Are amateur and pro-am dancers able to get sponsors when they reach a certain level?QUite a bit of pro am is sponsored because that's where the money is..

I think quite a bit of people are sponsored... Most of the pro semi and up I will assume are... a lot of higher level ams are.. and a lot of pro am...

[Laura]

Are amateur and pro-am dancers able to get sponsors when they reach a certain level?

Sure. A friend of mine got sponsored when she was doing Pro/Am. Granted, she was one of the top Pro/Am ladies in the country and she was dancing with one of the top pros in her style in the country, so they had a lot of visibility.

I've sponsored a couple different amateurs in the past, mostly because I really liked them as people and as dancers and wanted to help them pursue their dancing dreams.

[wyllo]

I've sponsored a couple different amateurs in the past, mostly because I really liked them as people and as dancers and wanted to help them pursue their dancing dreams.

That's so sweet of you! (but really not at all surprising). :)

[Chris Stratton]

Katarzyna, when you say pro am do you mean the am ladies or the pro ladies or the pro men?

[caityrosey]

I've sponsored a couple different amateurs in the past, mostly because I really liked them as people and as dancers and wanted to help them pursue their dancing dreams.


It's good to know there's folks like you out there. I had often wondered how the top people could afford to dress themselves for comps...how many different dresses one needs to have and how frequent the turnover. Of course one can resell, but still...

BTW, I've been wondering who the designers were for DWTS and what the prices and such were. I would be interested to know.

[Katarzyna]

BTW, I've been wondering who the designers were for DWTS and what the prices and such were. I would be interested to know.Designs to shine, I think standard dresses start ar $4,500... latin a bit less...

[Katarzyna]

Katarzyna, when you say pro am do you mean the am ladies or the pro ladies or the pro men?Ladies both am and pro.. I don't konw about dress sponsors for male pros...

[star_gazer]

Designs to shine, I think standard dresses start ar $4,500... latin a bit less...
Which is why its nice to buy gowns from a sponsored person. We've bought sponsored dresses on four occasions. Each one was in excellent shape and the price ranged from $1000 to $1900. Two of the dresses were sold again at close to what was paid. I'm trying to sell the other two.

[Katarzyna]

I do the same thing. I usually buy sponsored dresses that are in great condition, and resell them later.. :)

[Laura]

It's good to know there's folks like you out there. I had often wondered how the top people could afford to dress themselves for comps...how many different dresses one needs to have and how frequent the turnover. Of course one can resell, but still...

BTW, I've been wondering who the designers were for DWTS and what the prices and such were. I would be interested to know.

I wasn't sponsporing top-level people. Personally, I'm tired of seeing all the goodies go to the people at the top. So, I worked with a couple of local dancers who were just great people with a love of dancing and an easy-to-work with attitude. Both were students, and were dancing Championship level in their respective styles, but they weren't household names in the dance world or anything.

Maria McGill/Designs to Shine did the dresses for Dancing with the Stars. She's got a web site (http://www.designstoshine.com) you can take a look at.

[Kitty]

Laura,
since you've been involved with sponsoring, I have a few questions thatI am very curious about:

how did you pick the couples that you sponsored:
did they approach you? did you approach them?
were you already friends with the couples before you started sponsoring them?
has anyone else ask you who you refused?
did the sponsored dresses sell later?
who came up with designs, you or the dancers?

[fascination]

Sure. A friend of mine got sponsored when she was doing Pro/Am. Granted, she was one of the top Pro/Am ladies in the country and she was dancing with one of the top pros in her style in the country, so they had a lot of visibility.

I've sponsored a couple different amateurs in the past, mostly because I really liked them as people and as dancers and wanted to help them pursue their dancing dreams.so laura (my new best friend) how bout lunch?;) (kidding, kidding, just could't resist:D )

[Standard Dancer]

Wow, to be sponsored would be a dream come true! I thought Amateurs couldn't be sponsored though? I must be confused ... anybody able to clarify? Would greatly appreciate it ... :)

[Kitty]

Wow, to be sponsored would be a dream come true! I thought Amateurs couldn't be sponsored though? I must be confused ... anybody able to clarify? Would greatly appreciate it ... :)

as long as they are not paying you but are just giving you dresses shoes and other dance supplies - just helping to cover training and competition costs - it is allowed.

Eugene and Maria in latin are definitely sponsored (at least for shoes) - Eugene's picture is on boxes of capezio man's shoes.
Craig and Katya are sponsored.
Lucas and Karolina got sponsored very shortly before thay turned pro I think.
Other couples might be sponsored as well...

I even know of one girl dancing prechamp latin that got sponsored dresses

[Standard Dancer]

Wow, I see ... thanks for the clarification, Kitty :)

[Laura]

how did you pick the couples that you sponsored:
did they approach you? did you approach them?

In both cases they approached me to make them a dress (at my usual rates), but because I liked them so much I offered to sponsor them. I knew these were people who could really use a bit of help, and would really appreciate it.

were you already friends with the couples before you started sponsoring them?

Yes.

has anyone else ask you who you refused?

No one else has asked.

did the sponsored dresses sell later?

Yes, except for one, but that was also the first dress I ever made for someone else so it wasn't that fabulous to begin with.

who came up with designs, you or the dancers?

I like it when the dancer has a good idea of what she wants, but isn't actually picky about how things come out. I used to love working with one of the people I'd sponsor -- she'd say something like "I need it to be very simple, and black, and have long sleeves" and I'd take it from there. She was great because she'd stone her own dresses and because she was so easy-going. She had an idea for a backless dress once, and I had to do some things that weren't in her plan to make it stay on her :-) She never got annoyed or picky, and looked great in the final result.

One dress I made for another person I sponsored was a complete accident. I had been working on something else and it was just not coming out at all. So then we were digging through my piles of fabric and I held something up. She said "oh, I like that" and suddenly an idea for an entire dress popped into my head. I told her about it and she loved it, so we took it from there.

[fascination]

In both cases they approached me to make them a dress (at my usual rates), but because I liked them so much I offered to sponsor them. I knew these were people who could really use a bit of help, and would really appreciate it.



Yes.



No one else has asked.



Yes, except for one, but that was also the first dress I ever made for someone else so it wasn't that fabulous to begin with.



I like it when the dancer has a good idea of what she wants, but isn't actually picky about how things come out. I used to love working with one of the people I'd sponsor -- she'd say something like "I need it to be very simple, and black, and have long sleeves" and I'd take it from there. She was great because she'd stone her own dresses and because she was so easy-going. She had an idea for a backless dress once, and I had to do some things that weren't in her plan to make it stay on her :-) She never got annoyed or picky, and looked great in the final result.

One dress I made for another person I sponsored was a complete accident. I had been working on something else and it was just not coming out at all. So then we were digging through my piles of fabric and I held something up. She said "oh, I like that" and suddenly an idea for an entire dress popped into my head. I told her about it and she loved it, so we took it from there.I wish you lived in chicago....

[wyllo]

Eugene and Maria in latin are definitely sponsored (at least for shoes) - Eugene's picture is on boxes of capezio man's shoes.


I would guess (and hope) that this arrangement goes further than free dance supplies -- it only seems reasonable that if they are the face of Capezio dancesport and endorse the product then they are being compensated monetarily. I don't know if they are, but I believe this would be allowed under USABDA rules since they are among the elite dancers.

I also have heard that some of the top pros are getting corporate sponsorship from non-dance companies (you know, like NASCAR).

[Kitty]

I would guess (and hope) that this arrangement goes further than free dance supplies -- it only seems reasonable that if they are the face of Capezio dancesport and endorse the product then they are being compensated monetarily. I don't know if they are, but I believe this would be allowed under USABDA rules since they are among the elite dancers.

I also have heard that some of the top pros are getting corporate sponsorship from non-dance companies (you know, like NASCAR).


I heard that top dancers go through lots of pairs of shoes - like a new pair every week... especially since they are wearing them all day long since they are teaching. so it would be a lot of shoes and I would think it is a good deal in itself.
maybe they get money too, I don't know.

[Kitty]

Laura, thank you for the answers. Wish you lived in NY :-) Or I lived in CA, or both of us lived in Chicago:-)))))))))

[ACtenDance]

There are plenty of expenses that can be covered through sponsorships... just think of how much a top couple could spend in travel alone.

[Laura]

Section 4.12 of the rule book covers sponsorships. 4.12.4 is of particular interest:
4.12.4. SPONSORSHIPS FROM BUSINESSES OR OTHER COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES
4.12.4.1. Before an Athlete may accept a sponsorship from a business or other commercial enterprise, he or she must make a written request to USA DanceSport and provide a copy of the sponsorship agreement.
4.12.4.2. USA DanceSport will provide a written response as to its approval or disapproval within sixty (60) days of receiving the request.
4.12.4.3. An Athlete who accepts a sponsorship is required to report the amount received and the expenses claimed annually to the extent specified by the REPORTING REQUIREMENTS section of these rules.

Technically, what I wasn't doing wasn't even a sponsorship. It was rather a deferral of payments program -- the women I made the dresses for paid me for the dresses, just not up front.

[Standard Dancer]

There are plenty of expenses that can be covered through sponsorships... just think of how much a top couple could spend in travel alone.

Yeah, the thought is amazing, and ... disturbing at the same time ... (referring to how expensive ballroom is, I mean)

[star_gazer]

I heard that top dancers go through lots of pairs of shoes - like a new pair every week... especially since they are wearing them all day long since they are teaching. so it would be a lot of shoes and I would think it is a good deal in itself.
maybe they get money too, I don't know.
I noticed that Capezio was the grand sponsor of the East Coast Junior Superbowl and awarded the overall winners in each category a 1-yr contract which included 12 pairs of shoes for both dancers of the couple. Shoe costs considered, I thought that sounded pretty good.

[Ithink]

Thanks everyone for your input. I have a better idea now of what exactly being sponsored means. Someone approached me with some terms and I just wanted to compare them with other similar or dissimilar arrangements to get an idea just what it means.

[Katarzyna]

Good for you !

[wyllo]

Congrats -- hope it works out for you!

[LXC]

Ditto

[Ithink]

Thanks. We'll see how it goes:)

[fenixx]

I would guess (and hope) that this arrangement goes further than free dance supplies -- it only seems reasonable that if they are the face of Capezio dancesport and endorse the product then they are being compensated monetarily. I don't know if they are, but I believe this would be allowed under USABDA rules since they are among the elite dancers.

I also have heard that some of the top pros are getting corporate sponsorship from non-dance companies (you know, like NASCAR).

I can tell you for a fact Eugene and Maria were compensated monetarily. In fact, when Capezio contracted with them, their contract was the largest in American DanceSport history (this became sticky with USABDA, but it was worked out). Clive and Karen were also sponsored at the same time by Capezio.

A lot of Amateurs, even in America, are sponsored at some level or another. Whether it be shoes, costumes (discounts or free), or what have you. Usually shoes are pretty easy to get.

[Kitty]

Usually shoes are pretty easy to get.

hmm
how?
I could use a shoe sponsor. I hate spending so much on shoes and I really need several new pairs.

[fascination]

hmm
how?
I could use a shoe sponsor. I hate spending so much on shoes and I really need several new pairs.I even need a sponsor for heel protectors ...I swear I go through a bag a week..good foot pressure:cool:

[Katarzyna]

I even need a sponsor for heel protectors ...I swear I go through a bag a week..good foot pressure:cool:Try suade, it lasts a lot longer :)

[fascination]

Try suade, it lasts a lot longer :)on the ones I'm using the suede comes off in a heartbeat....I like the extra hard ones by freed the best...they DO last longer

[wyllo]

Try superglueing suede to the bottom of your heels. Sometimes the suede pieces pop off, but you just replace them and they protect the heel from wearing down. But I really love this method becuase then the entire shoe that contacts the floor has the same 'feel'.

[Katarzyna]

Try superglueing suede to the bottom of your heels. Sometimes the suede pieces pop off, but you just replace them and they protect the heel from wearing down. But I really love this method becuase then the entire shoe that contacts the floor has the same 'feel'.I always tape a piece of suade to the heel.. That lasts me for a while

[wyllo]

I always tape a piece of suade to the heel.. That lasts me for a while

What kind of tape do you use? I can't imagine regular scotch two-sided tape holding anything for very long that gets as much abuse as a heel.

[Katarzyna]

What kind of tape do you use? I can't imagine regular scotch two-sided tape holding anything for very long that gets as much abuse as a heel.I cut out a star shaped piece (or buy) and than tape it with almost any decent tape around the heel. I don't tape it to the bottom of the heel only, but let the suade wrap around the heel.

[Chris Stratton]

Trace the heel tip onto a piece of leather (from a craft store, old item of clothing, or leather store). Draw five tabs extending from that maybe 3/4" long. One on the straight end, two on the sides, two more on the curved end. Cut it out with a razor knife on an old cutting board or wood scrap. Fold the tabs up the sides of the heel and wrap with 1/2" adhesive bandage tape, or something else to your preference. (sometimes you can get first aid tape in a flesh color not too different from the shoes). Somehow, for someone who doesn't wear them I've made quite a few of these...

[Medira]

(sometimes you can get first aid tape in a flesh color not too different from the shoes).Dr. Scholl's Kurotex moleskin will probably work as well. We used to use it for the toes of our pointe shoes.

[Dancebug]

I got a pair of heel protectors with cork on the bottom from a local vendor. Let me tell you they last forever. I got them early this year and they are still in pretty good shape.

I used to wear off regular plastic protectors in a day. So this is a huge difference.

[Another Elizabeth]

(sometimes you can get first aid tape in a flesh color not too different from the shoes).
I've used white surgical tape and "colored" it with a fabric marker with pretty good success. You can get fabric markers in an astonishing array of colors at an art supply store.

[Medira]

I've used white surgical tape and "colored" it with a fabric marker with pretty good success. You can get fabric markers in an astonishing array of colors at an art supply store.
I'd suggest copic markers. They're fabulous.

[Dancebug]

I've used white surgical tape and "colored" it with a fabric marker with pretty good success. You can get fabric markers in an astonishing array of colors at an art supply store.
AE,

Does the fabric marker comes off or bleed easily, or leave stain?

[Another Elizabeth]

Does the fabric marker comes off or bleed easily, or leave stain?
I've never noticed a problem with this when using it to color the tape on the heels - I'm not sure what it would come off onto, though. On the occasion where I used a highlighter pen to dye a pair of slightly-worn shoes (my comp shoes were stolen out of my car a day before a comp), it did bleed onto my pantyhose and skin, but I'm not sure I would have had the same problem with a real fabric marker. (This was in the days when you dyed your shoes to match your dress, instead of everyone wearing nude shoes like they do today.)

[alemana]

so the suede is somehow better than the plastic heel protectors? i've used both but don't understand the preference.. please to explain.

[Chris Stratton]

This was in the days when you dyed your shoes to match your dress, instead of everyone wearing nude shoes like they do today.

Or simply the days when ladies kept a dress longer than they keep a pair of shoes ;-)

[Katarzyna]

so the suede is somehow better than the plastic heel protectors? i've used both but don't understand the preference.. please to explain.I don't see (didn't see) much difference when dancing latin, but for standard, the plastic ones tend to hear out a lot faster.

[Another Elizabeth]

so the suede is somehow better than the plastic heel protectors? i've used both but don't understand the preference.. please to explain.
I don't like the contact properties of plastic on the floor - it just doesn't feel "right" to me. My heels may skid when I'm going forward, and they feel as if they're going to break free and skid going backwards (although they rarely actually do). So I'll wear either the plastic protectors that have the suede attached to the bottom, the heel tips with suede glued on, or suede stars, but not the plastic caps without suede.

[Ithink]

I feel like the plastic heel tips are really bad on a sticky floor. At Ohio one of my non-sueded heel protectors came off during dancing - I think it just stuck to the really sticky floor there. So suede also has has the benefit of better traction than plastic...

[alemana]

plus i am constantly stabbing/slicing myself with my heel protectors. maybe i'll go back to suede. fo rsome reason i thought the suede that my first teacher put on my shoes was a "stopgap" measure until i procured plastic protectors... i see now that was not the case. thanks.

[Joe]

Trace the heel tip onto a piece of leather (from a craft store, old item of clothing, or leather store). Draw five tabs extending from that maybe 3/4" long. One on the straight end, two on the sides, two more on the curved end. Cut it out with a razor knife on an old cutting board or wood scrap. Fold the tabs up the sides of the heel and wrap with 1/2" adhesive bandage tape, or something else to your preference. (sometimes you can get first aid tape in a flesh color not too different from the shoes). Somehow, for someone who doesn't wear them I've made quite a few of these...
Seems to me the "cut it out and glue it on with contact cement" method is much less work. ;)

Not to mention looks better.

[Ithink]

Another dress question: are sponsored ladies usually expected to sell the dress they wear at a comp? If so, what kind of time do they have to sell it? How do they go about doing that? Do they get compensated somehow for selling it?

[Larinda McRaven]

I have been sponsored by Dore as a rising star, then for a short stint Maria McGill, and now finally Chrisanne for a long time.

Most companies will expect you to sell "at least" the dress or dresses you are wearing before you get to move on to get another dress. They generally also expect you to sell their dresses to your students and other dancers. So in a sense you are really simply a sales agent with no income but get to wear the goods. If the dress you have doesn't sell you are stuck with it for a LONG TIME. I once wore the same dress for 9 months, at about 3 or 4 comps each month, rising star and open division. That pretty much sucked, same dress 54 times ... generally the dresses can sell in a few comps though.

I guess those are pretty much the rules when you approach a company or are not a finalist level dancer. The top dancers with the top companies do very little except wear the dresses and return them (hopefully clean). And there is no real limit to how often you can change your costumes. Getting show dresses is a little trickier since they have a harder time being resold.

Through all of the years I have rarely designed my own dress. I give general ideas and let it be at that. Mostly I am happy, occassionally I have been disappointed. With Chrisanne I have never even designed a dress at all though. I simply browse the website with everyone else. That way they are not having to make extra dresses for me. Except for right before Ohio and USBC, and then they make 4 or 5 dresses specifially with me in mind but I can choose any of them that I like or take something else from the rack. There is little pressure on anyone this way.

[Ithink]

Thank you so much, Larinda! That was really helpful to me. I now see that what I've been offered is a pretty standard arrangement re: having to sell the dress.

I am however getting to give some input on the designs and colors and such so that should be fun:) Hopefully, my tastes don't suck so much that I am stuck wearing a dress for 9 months;) At least it'll be my own fault and I'll have noone else to blame...

[Larinda McRaven]

:p yup that was always my reasoning... I didn't want to be blamed if the dress sucks.

[SPratt74]

Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone had a sponsor to help support them with their dancing? I had never thought about it until my step-dad mentioned it over the phone the other night. And it's like what he said, that I would have to become really good first, but then maybe I could get someone to help support me in my dancing as long as I help support their business. Has anyone thought of that or has even tried this yet? I know that I've met people that do have sponsors for their sport, but these are professionals of course though. What do you all think? Could this be an idea worth pursuing?

[fascination]

well I dont know any of us regular folks who are that lucky...but I always note that dh is my benefactor...the patron of my art.....he loves that

[Twilight_Elena]

As far as I remember, Larinda is sponsored by Freed.

Twilight Elena

[Sagitta]

nope don't have that....

[Lucretia]

I almost have a sponsor :)

I buy dancing shoes for the price my retailer give for them. And I wear their T-shirt with their logotype when I take classes. Sometimes I get shoes for free. Last month I got 3 pairs :lol:
(must be prepared for the salsacongress next week;))

I think that this type of sponsoring is quite easy to fix. Wear their logotype and buy their stuff very very cheap.

/Luc

[SPratt74]

I almost have a sponsor :)

I buy dancing shoes for the price my retailer give for them. And I wear their T-shirt with their logotype when I take classes. Sometimes I get shoes for free. Last month I got 3 pairs :lol:
(must be prepared for the salsacongress next week;))

I think that this type of sponsoring is quite easy to fix. Wear their logotype and buy their stuff very very cheap.

/Luc

But how did you go about doing that though? I mean did you have to talk with them or how did you work that out? ;)

[Larinda McRaven]

No, not Freed. Chrisanne. I have been lucky enough to always have a great dress sponsor.

[SPratt74]

No, not Freed. Chrisanne. I have been lucky enough to always have a great dress sponsor.

You have a great dress sponsor? How did you go about this? ;)

[Lucretia]

But how did you go about doing that though? I mean did you have to talk with them or how did you work that out? ;)
That's the hard thing....

First of all ...I'm not any great dancer. I do not compete. I do not show off in front of a lot of people. I am no "commercial advertisment" at all

In my case I was first a customer. I knew a lot about shoes that the shop owner didn't knew (I have some problems with legs and feet). She knew things I didn't know. I helped her....she helped me...I helped her...she helped me until we had some kind of mutual exchange of "service & knowledge".

I have given her a some ideas of to develop her business. I have told her about the salsaevents where she can sell shoes. I have given her contacts that might help her grow her business.

When I told her that I wanted to start up dancing at a new school she said " I pay the bill if you wear my T-shirt". When I wanted to pay the shoes I already had been using for a month she said I already paid them.

I guess we became friends....we always have fun together :) And we have the same core values about building relations and business. It worked so well that I almost wasgetting a full time work at her shop but things changed...

I guess we made some kind of "winn-winn" arrangement.

Cant you get any ideas yourself how you can promote your sponsors and make a "winn winn agreement"?
It might take some while before you can pursuade any one to help you. But you have to start to build good relations with those people who might help you. Prove they can count on you. Prove you have something to give!


/Luc

[saludas]

You have a great dress sponsor? How did you go about this? ;)

Larinda became a US Champion.... and see, that's all you have to do...

[Twilight_Elena]

No, not Freed. Chrisanne. I have been lucky enough to always have a great dress sponsor.

Whoops. Yeah, right, I remembered seeing your picture in some major site and thought it was Freed's site. My bad.

Twilight Elena

[SPratt74]

Thanks everyone! The funny thing is that now that I'm older I do have a lot of friends that have started their own businesses etc., but of course they aren't really things that I'm interested in lol. However, I do have one friend that owns an accessory shop for women. You know the kind that sells scarves and necklaces etc. My sister works there. I could get some cool dance accessories from there now that I think about it like hair things etc. But I may have to figure out the rest! Thanks for the advice everyone, and if you can think of anything else please let me know!

[SexyMan2Cha]

If someone were to pay me so that I can take more lessons and classes I'd go naked and body paint myself in their name/logo.

I guess the trick is to get really really really good well known first.

[mamboqueen]

either that, or have a body like Demi Moore ;)

[SPratt74]

either that, or have a body like Demi Moore ;)

I'm one of the few people that don't think Demi is all that. I never thought that she was pretty even back in the day. But that's just me though lol.

[SDsalsaguy]

I'm one of the few people that don't think Demi is all that. I never thought that she was pretty even back in the day. But that's just me though lol. But that's the thing, it doesn't matter if you think so or even if the sponsor would think so... what matters is what the sponsor thinks their target audience would think! ;)

[fascination]

I'm one of the few people that don't think Demi is all that. I never thought that she was pretty even back in the day. But that's just me though lol.and she bought half of what she's got...if you look at her old movies you know what I mean:rolleyes:

[SPratt74]

But that's the thing, it doesn't matter if you think so or even if the sponsor would think so... what matters is what the sponsor thinks their target audience would think! ;)

That's very true! I guess that's why Paris Hilton is still strong lol. Maybe she's onto something lol.

[Joe]

I'm one of the few people that don't think Demi is all that. I never thought that she was pretty even back in the day. But that's just me though lol.
Same.

[Twilight_Elena]

That's very true! I guess that's why Paris Hilton is still strong lol. Maybe she's onto something lol.

Paris is anorexic, blonde and has done amateur porn. Yup, target audience works.

T_E

[SPratt74]

Paris is anorexic, blonde and has done amateur porn. Yup, target audience works.

T_E

It's like what the one poster said, it doesn't matter what we think of them, it's what the target audience likes! ;)

[chachachikka]

Is it true that Amateur competitors can be "sponsored"? What does this mean? What are the exact rules? What does it entail? How does it work? Is anyone that you know sponsored?

[swan]

I've seen many types of sponsorships. Gowns, shoes, etc. There might be some companies out there willing to sponsor dancers for publicity. What does it mean? Sometimes the dancers may wear sportswear that carries the logos of that company (whatever products that they're advertising). The companies may sponsor couples for specific competitions (covering some expenses, etc.)

[contracheck]

I've seen many types of sponsorships. Gowns, shoes, etc. There might be some companies out there willing to sponsor dancers for publicity.
Doesn't Capezio sponsor Eugene and Maria?

[fenixx]

Doesn't Capezio sponsor Eugene and Maria?

Yes, they are. When they received their sponsorship, they had the largest sponsorship contract ever for a DanceSport couple in the USA. They received cash over 3 years as well as shoes and other apparel. Besides Eugene, lots of amateurs have sponsorships, but they rarely involve cash (still speaking about the USA). Shoes and costumes are the easiest. Most of the time you have to give the costumes back so they can sell them.

[Laura]

When asking about rules in the US, remember that there are (at least) two governing bodies you have to make sure you do the right things for.

If you are asking about USA Dance, then the regulations regarding sponsorship are covered in the rule book, which can be found in the DanceSport section of the USA Dance (http://www.usabda.org) web site. If you are talking about NDCA competitions, then I don't know what the rules are and I can't recall if they are in their rule book or not, but you can find the rule book on the NDCA (http://www.ndca.org) web site.

[Keelzorz]

I know I've seen a number of nearly-identical threads go by...lemme pull a few of them up. Most the combined knowledge on the subject has already been collected here.

Sponsorship (http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=10221)

Dress Sponsorship (http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=10847)

Does anyone have a sponsor? (http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=12280)

Think that should cover things, for starters.

*waves hi to chachachikka*

[chachachikka]

Hi Keelzorz!

[barrefly]

Laura mentions "sponsor" in one of her posts. Are some dancers "sponsored"? What does it mean?

My daughter just purchased her first quality latin costume from a company called "Tosca". She loves it...but it was pricey (relitively speaking). I was thinking that when one becomes a top rated dancer...such "dress makers" sponsor such dancer with outfits to wear at no costs, for comps and shows. (..like dress designers loaning outfits to actresses for the Academy Awards). Any truth there?

[GJB]

Yes, lots of the top couples are sponsored by dress makers.

[liz]

I know alot of the girls in my division are sponsored or work for the different dress vendors at the competitions.They wear the dresses but don't keep them. I is one of the perks of being one of the top dancers.

[samina]

I know alot of the girls in my division are sponsored or work for the different dress vendors at the competitions.They wear the dresses but don't keep them. I is one of the perks of being one of the top dancers.
liz, do you also dance amateur? i guess i thought you competed only pro-am, in which case pro-am dancers can't have sponsors, correct?

[SDsalsaguy]

Why not Samina?

Most, of course, do not, but some do.

[Standarddancer]

I have never heard of pro-am girls can't have sponsors. I sometimes see Chrisanne use some pro-am ladies' testmonies at back of dance beat (at one or two issues). so these ladies aren't sponsored?

Also heard that some sponsors look at dancers' ranking (nationally and Internationally) but also some of them care about more if the sponsored dancer has the ability to sell gown after usage. Some of the sponsors tell the girls they are more likely to get a new dress only if they sell the one they wore.

[etp777]

Haven't seen ads, so could they be just regular customers?

Dunno, I get large discounts from bonnies belle gowns, but not free, so if it is an issue, I'm fine. :) We sponsor a local pro couple though.

[Standarddancer]

Why not Samina?



Agree:)

[Standarddancer]

Dunno, I get large discounts from bonnies belle gowns, but not free, so if it is an issue, I'm fine. :) We sponsor a local pro couple though.

haven't heard about bonnies belle gowns, any site? are the gowns nice quality like Chrisanne or Dore?

[SDsalsaguy]

haven't heard about bonnies belle gowns, any site?
Website link is right in etp's signature line. ;)

[Larinda McRaven]

Chrisanne does not sponsor any pro-am ladies. The women sometimes featured in the paper or on their US site are just happy customers.

[etp777]

Local (IL/IN/WI) only. But yeah, link is there. :)

[etp777]

Thanks Larinda, thats' what I thought, was'nt sure though. Certainly doesn't make their opinion any less valuable of course. :)

[SDsalsaguy]

Chrisanne does not sponsor any pro-am ladies.
Chrisanne does not. Some other companies have, albeit on an infrequent basis at best, and then usually (as noted above) only for a student who works for the dress company in question.

[samina]

Why not Samina?

Most, of course, do not, but some do.

it just sounds to me like a violation of the terms of being pro-am... it is compensation. are you saying it's actually allowed???

[mamboqueen]

it just sounds to me like a violation of the terms of being pro-am... it is compensation. are you saying it's actually allowed???

please...they'll come up with a new rule!! :roll: I don't think sponsorship is any more "compensation" than a scholarship.....

[Standarddancer]

Local (IL/IN/WI) only. But yeah, link is there. :)

oh I saw it, nice latin dresses!

[Standarddancer]

it just sounds to me like a violation of the terms of being pro-am...

why you think sponsoring pro-am is like violation of the term of being pro-am?

[etp777]

thanks standarddancer. :)

[SDsalsaguy]

Dress sponsorship is not compensation, especially if you realize that the sponsored person (usually woman) is more "mobile dress mannequin" than "temporary dress owner."

Shifting from pro-am, and just to make my point clear, at USDC I witnessed several pro finalists came back to their sponsor's booth (after their events) to be told that their USDC dresses had now been sold. Didn't matter if the pro loved the dress or not, the point is that the sponsor is sponsoring in order to sell, and if they want to, that's what happens. So, is there an economic advantage to those who are sponsored? Absolutely! ...BUT sponsorship is not the same as compensation either (and their are no rules against it).

[Larinda McRaven]

Dancing Billboard.

[samina]

please...they'll come up with a new rule!! :roll: I don't think sponsorship is any more "compensation" than a scholarship.....

i beg to differ, actually. scholarship winnings could be considered a token reimbursement just for having entered the comp...there's no gain.

at the same time, who spends more money in the competitive industry than pro-amers? seems like it's the least that could be allowed to help offset the considerable costs at that level. so no complaints from me.

i don't understand the logic behind allowing it, tho, considering how protective the industry is of pro-am status not becoming like that allowed to full-fledged amateurs.

[Standarddancer]

or dancing model;) Sponsors need good looking models who dances well in their dresses to make the images of their companies look great to attract the public to boost sales.

[samina]

Dress sponsorship is not compensation, especially if you realize that the sponsored person (usually woman) is more "mobile dress mannequin" than "temporary dress owner."

Shifting from pro-am, and just to make my point clear, at USDC I witnessed several pro finalists came back to their sponsor's booth (after their events) to be told that their USDC dresses had now been sold. Didn't matter if the pro loved the dress or not, the point is that the sponsor is sponsoring in order to sell, and if they want to, that's what happens. So, is there an economic advantage to those who are sponsored? Absolutely! ...BUT sponsorship is not the same as compensation either (and their are no rules against it).

huh...interesting.

[samina]

Dancing Billboard.

that's nice

[Standarddancer]

at USDC I witnessed several pro finalists came back to their sponsor's booth (after their events) to be told that their USDC dresses had now been sold. Didn't matter if the pro loved the dress or not, the point is that the sponsor is sponsoring in order to sell, and if they want to, that's what happens.

The only disadvantage of being sponsored is that no matter how much you love that dress, it's not your dress:( you don't have ultimate control of when to sell it:( the good thing is that you've been told you look so great in that dress, someone wants it as soon as they see you:) and you'll get a new dress next time!

[samina]

<<sound of paradigm shifting...>>

[etp777]

or dancing model;) Sponsors need good looking models who dances well in their dresses to make the images of their companies look great to attract the public to boost sales.


That's for sure. :) And besides good business, I enjoy watching. ;)

[ChaChaMama]

I've heard pros talk about their dresses being sold while they were still wearing them, and I've always wondered how this works!

So I could be watching a competition, see a dress I like and a sponsor name, and head to the dressmaker's booth and say "Is X's dress for sale? I want to buy it!"

Huh.

But how in the world would a potential customer know if such a dress fits, or how it might look on her body? Would the potential customer just be claiming first dibs on trying it on? Can dresses be altered for their new owners? (It strikes me that a somewhat higher percentage of pros are size 0 or 2 than members of the potential customer base.)

Do the pro dancers care if the dresses sell?

[etp777]

Yes dresses can be altered, and they can be sold out from under you.

Works other way too. dressmaker that sponsors my dad's pro was at one of our comps doing their regular trunk show. She wasn't exactly paying attention to time, and his heats creeped up on her. :) She ran from job as floor captain over to dressmaker, grabbed one of their dresses off rack (one she had worn before) and threw it on for comp. So works oth ways, can be sold out tfrom under you while you're on floor, and if dressmaker is there, poosibililty of pro grabbing one of dressmakers dresses to dance that day. :)

[Larinda McRaven]

Yes dresses can and often do sell the weekend that a pro is wearing them.

I have had dresses sell BEFORE I wear it, while it is still hanging in the vendor booth. The new owner is told that I will be wearing it and then can have it as soon as my event is over. Sometimes they are wearing it the next day. Usually this is at major comps like USDC or Ohio, when I want to wear that particular dress. If it is a regualr comp and I don't mind switching it up before I dance, the new owner can walk with my dress and I will take something off the rack to wear instead.

More often after a pro wears the dress someone heads to the design company, the pro is associated with, and buys the dress. I have several ladies scattered around the country that know if the dress fits me, it will fit them. So a lot of the time it is a repeat customer.

Dresses that are sponsored dresses are usually sold as "New" and come with whatever conditions a customer would get with any regualr new dress they purchase, alterations, repair kit, return for resale...

And yes I care if a dress sells. I want the company (companies) that clothes me to be happy and successful.

[dressgirl]

larinda rocks that way! Sponsorship is great but not for the faint of heart. One very high level pro was "naked" at the end of USDSC. She had 3 dresses going into Nevada on the rack and we made 3 for her for Orlando. By the end of USDSC all were gone. So, if you get nervous not knowing everything about your dresses, I would advise against sponsorship.

[delamusica]

When I danced pro-am I wasn't sponsored - I only competed a couple of times a year at best - but there was a dressmaker who had known my partner and I for a LONG time. He would sometimes invite me to browse the rack of dresses he had with him and would let me borrow one for my events if I wanted. It was never about giving me a dress (as in compensation) - it was about getting his dress out where people would see it, and hopefully come buy it.

Dancing billboard is right. And as a bonus for advertising you get to wear a pretty dress for an hour or whatever. Win-win. :)

[reb]

mobile dress mannequin

Dancing Billboard.

dancing model

too funny :D

[njdancegirl]

Yes dresses can and often do sell the weekend that a pro is wearing them.

I have had dresses sell BEFORE I wear it, while it is still hanging in the vendor booth. The new owner is told that I will be wearing it and then can have it as soon as my event is over. Sometimes they are wearing it the next day. Usually this is at major comps like USDC or Ohio, when I want to wear that particular dress. If it is a regualr comp and I don't mind switching it up before I dance, the new owner can walk with my dress and I will take something off the rack to wear instead.

More often after a pro wears the dress someone heads to the design company, the pro is associated with, and buys the dress. I have several ladies scattered around the country that know if the dress fits me, it will fit them. So a lot of the time it is a repeat customer.

Dresses that are sponsored dresses are usually sold as "New" and come with whatever conditions a customer would get with any regualr new dress they purchase, alterations, repair kit, return for resale...

And yes I care if a dress sells. I want the company (companies) that clothes me to be happy and successful.

I did this with the red latin in my avatar pic...bought the dress the day before the pro was supposed to wear it. I was told she had to wear it the next night and they did knock off a small amount of $ off the original (new) asking price.

[Joe]

"Sponsoring" may not be direct compensation, but it is compensation. If you didn't have the sponsored dress you'd have to either buy or rent one. Wearing a sponsored dress means you are not out of pocket. Yes, you are providing a service for the dressmaker--so you both benefit--but there's still an exchange of value. It's like the old non-teaching rules (don't recall if it's am or pro/am) that used to say you couldn't teach at a studio in exchange for lessons (or something like that) even if you were not being paid cash money.

[fascination]

I have seen a dress on a top smooth pro (the only one large enough whose dresses I could wear) and gone looking for it afterward to buy...sadly, it seems to be gone but if I find it I will be trying it on

[liz]

Yes, I only dance pro/am. Most of girls in my division are sponsored.

[Josh]

it just sounds to me like a violation of the terms of being pro-am... it is compensation. are you saying it's actually allowed???

The new pro/am rules have nothing to do with compensation. The am in a pro/am partnership can't teach, even for FREE. It's that the NDCA doesn't want the am to teach, period. Thus, receiving a dress for free would have nothing to do with it.

[samina]

"Sponsoring" may not be direct compensation, but it is compensation. If you didn't have the sponsored dress you'd have to either buy or rent one. Wearing a sponsored dress means you are not out of pocket. Yes, you are providing a service for the dressmaker--so you both benefit--but there's still an exchange of value. It's like the old non-teaching rules (don't recall if it's am or pro/am) that used to say you couldn't teach at a studio in exchange for lessons (or something like that) even if you were not being paid cash money.

this is my own logic around the situation.

of course, i still wouldn't argue against the benefit...:rolleyes:

[SDsalsaguy]

The new pro/am rules have nothing to do with compensation. The am in a pro/am partnership can't teach, even for FREE. It's that the NDCA doesn't want the am to teach, period. Thus, receiving a dress for free would have nothing to do with it.
Exactly Josh.

Students teaching is what would threaten teachers livelihood, so the NDCA -- whose primary constituency are teaching organizations -- is protecting their financial lifeblood in restricting student teaching. Seeing as the vast majority of teachers do not even compete, the non-teaching issues thus become non-issues from this perspective.

[fascination]

lol...running off to pursue a dress sponsor

[Standarddancer]

Just curious, how many of you sponsored gals signed a contract with your sponsors that you have to wear exclusively sponsors' company's gowns?

[SDsalsaguy]

Just curious, how many of you sponsored gals signed a contract with your sponsors that you have to wear exclusively sponsors' company's gowns?
Don't know about signatures, but I don't know of any sponsors who are OK with you wearing other gowns while sponsored (at least per style, and with very specific exceptions).

[barrefly]

Wow....interesting thread.
Take a look at this link.
http://dancesportinfo.net/DisplayTopCouples.aspx
...what's all the "by so-and-so" about. I assume it some sort of sponsorship arrangement.

Also, ....some said an am can't teach. Is that "can't teach" in the dance the event is in? My daughter teaches salsa. That should affect her in ballroom/latin?

I am also curious about the other ways dancers get sponsered. i.e. Free use of the studio, or...perhaps the studio (or just rich affecionados) pays for things such as airfair, hotel, entrance fees...if the dancers rep. the studio or simply hang with the sponsor during the event...I dunno? Perhaps dancers are paid out right if they contract with a company, saying they only wear so-and-so dresses etc.

Ballroom/latin is becoming very intriguing to me.

[SDsalsaguy]

Also, ....some said an am can't teach. Is that "can't teach" in the dance the event is in? My daughter teaches salsa. That should affect her in ballroom/latin?
If she is teaching slasa then she can compete as part of an amateur couple but cannot compete as a student in pro-am.

[Standarddancer]

Don't know about signatures, but I don't know of any sponsors who are OK with you wearing other gowns while sponsored (at least per style, and with very specific exceptions).

Logically yes of course someone give you things free to wear, you are not supposed to wear someone else' creations. But what if the sponsor doesn't give the girl new gown unless she sells the one she's wearing and for whatever reason, she has difficulty to sell the existing one. And she's not allowed to wear other gowns? So she's stuck to wear the same one until that one sold? Just a thought.

[barrefly]

Thanks Jonathon, I will mention it to her studio/instructors. She has also made money from competing in salsa....I figure that would make a difference as well.
By the way, the designer/owner (Tosca) told Missy that she will be adding a children/teen? line and asked if Missy could model for her catalog. Should Missy ask for compensation? How much...a free dress?

P.S...I enjoyed your dissertation. Are you working on any other projects. Johnny Vazquez is coming to the U.S. in Dec. You should try to get an interview with him. (Why did so many of the big L.A. salsa dancers move to europe?).

[Standarddancer]

By the way, the designer/owner (Tosca) told Missy that she will be adding a children/teen? line and asked if Missy could model for her catalog. Should Missy ask for compensation? How much...a free dress?



maybe a free dress, or some practice wears...

[SDsalsaguy]

Logically yes of course someone give you things free to wear, you are not supposed to wear someone else' creations. But what if the sponsor doesn't give the girl new gown unless she sells the one she's wearing and for whatever reason, she has difficulty to sell the existing one. And she's not allowed to wear other gowns? So she's stuck to wear the same one until that one sold? Just a thought.
Sure, but you're only looking at it from the dancers point of view. Selling the gown is why the sponsor agrees to sponsor you in the first place, right? So if you're not selling gowns why would they want to sponsor you? (And if they hypothetically don't care about selling gowns, they'd make you a new one anyway.)

(barrefly, I'm heading out the door now so will have to respond later.)

[Standarddancer]

I am also curious about the other ways dancers get sponsered. i.e. Free use of the studio, or...perhaps the studio (or just rich affecionados) pays for things such as airfair, hotel, entrance fees...if the dancers rep. the studio or simply hang with the sponsor during the event...I dunno? Perhaps dancers are paid out right if they contract with a company, saying they only wear so-and-so dresses etc.



Never heard studio paying competitors airfare, hotel, etc. I've only heard pro-am students paying their teachers' hotel sometimes, if the students' entry fall on a different day causing their teachers must to stay in hotel for an extra one or two nights.

[dressgirl]

The only way one of our sponsored couples would be wearing someone else's dress would be with permission. Communication in sponsorship is key. And it wouldn't work for me to have smooth sponsored by someone else and rhythm by me or showdance or whatever. You can't be loyal to two companies. And it would just work out to competition between the two. For showdance, couples can put together something on their own......... jeans etc with our embellishments or not.

As to what to do if you don't sell your dress, the question would be why are you sponsored and what are you doing for your sponsor? If you are living up to your part of the bargain, it probably won't be an issue.

And thoughts on Pro-Am sponsorship.........who is the sponsor of all these girls in your division Liz? Believe me, being sponsored is not about just being a model. Or about telling people about your dress. I only sponsor pro-ams who work for me. And not all people who work for me are sponsored. Plus, some of the ones I sponsor, choose to purchase their gown from me vs. guess if their gown might sell at a comp.

[fascination]

gotta say this thread was the first I ever heard of any pro/am.s being sponsored ....kind of embarassing not to have known that... I would figure they would have to be pretty doggone big names...ya learn something everyday

[etp777]

Agreeing with what others have said, even though semi-sponsored by BBG, I fall into the work for category (or rather, invested in when I had the kuwait job and no lessons to spend money on ;) ). My shirts (smooth and latin), aren't from BBG, but bought them both before she started making men's shirts. And she still ggives me a hard time about it. :P

I must say Im' curious about the woman Liz is dancing with too. I haven't known any pro-am people to be sponsored, in any respect of the word, unless they had some other association with the dressmaker. Certainly not that I don't believe you Liz, just curious. :)

[star_gazer]

I would love for my daughter to have a dress sponsor but that said, if you buy good dresses and maintain them well, the resale is okay. Not that we make money but we don't lose lots of money either. What I would really love is a sky miles sponsor, or Marriott to sponsor them...or a Shoe Sponsor!!!

[dressgirl]

hey I need a sky miles sponsor too!!!! And Marriott!! As much as I promote and use Delta, they still want me to pay for tickets.........hmmmmm, imagine that:)

[star_gazer]

hey I need a sky miles sponsor too!!!! And Marriott!! As much as I promote and use Delta, they still want me to pay for tickets.........hmmmmm, imagine that:)Yeh, a little far-fetched.

[reb]

gotta say this thread was the first I ever heard of any pro/am.s being sponsored ....kind of embarassing not to have known that... I would figure they would have to be pretty doggone big names...ya learn something everyday

Its good think you're finding out before you win at Ohio . . . :D

[fascination]

from your mouth to God's ear...and my practice floor...but I will just settle for dancing awesomely :)

[Standarddancer]

The only way one of our sponsored couples would be wearing someone else's dress would be with permission. Communication in sponsorship is key.


that's very nice of you actually. Communication is certainly necessary, just like you are at work, you must ask permission from boss for vacation or time off.

As to what to do if you don't sell your dress, the question would be why are you sponsored and what are you doing for your sponsor? If you are living up to your part of the bargain, it probably won't be an issue.


Just thinking in rare occasion might be a dress with distinctive style or somehow TOO unique so hard to find someone fit the dress (or just bold enough to wear it) plus have the wallet to buy? certain dresses takes a way longer to sell than others. I've been lucky to sell my green Sapiel after 3 usage, someone approached me after a comp and offer to buy; also my red Elegance of London dress were sold immediately after a show; just lucky, met the buyer at the right time and location. I have other designer dresses equally beautiful but takes much longer to sell, maybe because the price (designer dresses have higher prices) and maybe the economy, etc. Even rocky Larinda stuck with a dress for 9 months (see a few pages before)

I think the sponsored girls all want to sell the dress, I guess if someone constantly having trouble selling the dress she's wearing, probably she will be too embarrassed to ask the sponsor for a new one either.

[Standarddancer]

I would love for my daughter to have a dress sponsor but that said, if you buy good dresses and maintain them well, the resale is okay. Not that we make money but we don't lose lots of money either. What I would really love is a sky miles sponsor, or Marriott to sponsor them...or a Shoe Sponsor!!!

shoes actually ok, if you use heel protectors, preventing wear down slower. Hotel is expensive, but there are ways to get around, such as sharing with dance friends, only airline tickets & quality dresses have very little ways to get round, thus IMO Sky miles sponsor & dress sponsor would be most lovely. lol.

[liz]

Agreeing with what others have said, even though semi-sponsored by BBG, I fall into the work for category (or rather, invested in when I had the kuwait job and no lessons to spend money on ;) ). My shirts (smooth and latin), aren't from BBG, but bought them both before she started making men's shirts. And she still ggives me a hard time about it. :P

I must say Im' curious about the woman Liz is dancing with too. I haven't known any pro-am people to be sponsored, in any respect of the word, unless they had some other association with the dressmaker. Certainly not that I don't believe you Liz, just curious. :)

I dance ladies A Open Gold or just open events. I wasn't going to name names but, I know for sure that karen Angell is sponsored by Irina's Fashions. It also says so on the website. I know that when Nancy Senner was still an am she was sponsored by may different dress sponsors over the years. I am sure that Tracey Childers and Ruthie Perkins work for Designs to Shine and wear their dresses for free( as in sponsored if not said so in so may words). I am not 100% sure if Kristine Stanko is sponsored by Jordy, but i do think she works with them in some form. I think that Pamela is working with Elle in some form. She is the model in the new pictures on their site... That is all I can think of at the moment. I am really good friends with Zhanna Kens who wanted to sponsor me, but, I can't wear any of her dresses.. My boobs are just to big..:D

[tanya_the_dancer]

Just curious, how do sponsored ladies work for designers? Run the booth at the competitions? Design the dresses? Make the dresses? Sell them?

[Laura]

High-profile ladies wear the dresses as marketing and bring attention to the designer, plus customers (often in the form of their students and/or their partner's students).

[liz]

Just curious, how do sponsored ladies work for designers? Run the booth at the competitions? Design the dresses? Make the dresses? Sell them?
I would say yes to all...

[dressgirl]

Ruthie and Tracy are reps. They "literally" work for the company ........as in travel, deal with shipping, lugging, tugging, setting up, tearing down, zipping, responsible for inventory, money, receipts, alterations, paperwork out of this world and expenses. They make a commission for their efforts and yes, they get to wear gowns. I wouldn't want it any other way for them. How would it look to have them in the booth and wearing someone else's dress?

As to the others, Christine, I am almost positive, is on her own. And modeling in an ad does not necessarily constitute sponsorship. Karen Angel was a rep for DTS, although that may have changed, but she is definitely trained as a rep.

I am not "the authority" but I get around a little bit. I know of very few truly sponsored pro-ams. And most are connected to an exclusivity of a studio, a teacher etc. Again, I think you need to ask yourselves, what do you have to really offer a company? Why should a company design, order fabric and stones, construct, pay labor costs and overhead, take time away from the next paying customer in line, to make a dress for you to dance, sweat in and thank them for? I think of this in regard to every pro, every am we have.

So now you know that we have some really valuable people!! :)

[Katarzyna]

Just curious, how many of you sponsored gals signed a contract with your sponsors that you have to wear exclusively sponsors' company's gowns?
I specifically had to talk about this with my new sponsor. I would not want the sponsorship if it was to be exclusive for obvoius reasons in my dresser.. So any agreement with the designer has to be mutually beneficial.

[Standarddancer]

you are so used to have new gown for each comp, if that's exclusive, would be so hard for you. I can't imagine seeing kat in same gown twice on the floor...lol... Some girls have no problem wear the same one for a year;) but she's really nice so good for you:)

[Katarzyna]

you are so used to have new gown for each comp, if that's exclusive, would be so hard for you. I can't imagine seeing kat in same gown twice on the floor...lol... Some girls have no problem wear the same one for a year;) but she's really nice so good for you:)
As i asaid its mutually beneficial :) and i believe in her product

[emkey]

this might be in some way offtopic to what you guys are already discussing but.
I'm part of the Ateneo de Manila DanceSport Club and we've been winning closed syllabus competitions for the past year and we're moving up to open competition now and could really use sponsorships but I'm not to familiar with getting sponsors for things such as this (athletics but I do know how to get sponsors for events and the such) can anyone give me any tips as well as any companies that sponsor teams or clubs? I did try sending an email to supadance

[Larinda McRaven]

Welcome to DF

This thread is 176 posts long of sponsorship ideas. Just read some of it to get ideas.

[TAK]

Very interesting thread.

I can imagine that it would be harder for a collegiate amateur dancer, all else being equal, to get sponsored b/c the circles in which she runs (i.e. students) are not very high-income.

Does that sound accurate to you guys?

[Terpsichorean Clod]

They might not be high-income at the moment, but they are potentially high-income.

[Terpsichorean Clod]

Welcome to Dance Forums, emkey! :)

[emkey]

thanks for the welcome Ive gone through around 1/4 of the posts already but is it actually possible for companies to actually sponsor a collegiate team?

[etp777]

Definitely welcome to DF, emkey.

There's a lot that goes into choosing a couple/dancer to sponsor, and requirements vary by the costumer/shoevendor/whatever. Just dance skill or income is not always enough though, esp for smaller makers. You have to remember that these are often people running a small business themselves with their name on every label. So They aren't just looking for the best dancers, but the best representatives of their name all around. Hard workers, honest, trustworthy, basically, someone who they're willing and happy to have their name associated with in all ways. Course, doesn't hurt if you know those dancers will also have your label showing during pictures of finals in their category at USDC and OSB too. ;) But not always the first concern, esp for smaller costumers.

[etp777]

It is certainly possible emkey, and depending on their particular setup, can actually be an easier writeoff for them than normal sponsorship.

That being said, if you're looking for donations/help for a college team, you might also post something in Latingal's thread on donations to collegiate teams over here:

http://www.danceforums.com/showthread.php?t=32086

[emkey]

Definitely welcome to DF, emkey.

There's a lot that goes into choosing a couple/dancer to sponsor, and requirements vary by the costumer/shoevendor/whatever. Just dance skill or income is not always enough though, esp for smaller makers. You have to remember that these are often people running a small business themselves with their name on every label. So They aren't just looking for the best dancers, but the best representatives of their name all around. Hard workers, honest, trustworthy, basically, someone who they're willing and happy to have their name associated with in all ways. Course, doesn't hurt if you know those dancers will also have your label showing during pictures of finals in their category at USDC and OSB too. ;) But not always the first concern, esp for smaller costumers.

Uhm USDC and OSB might be a little too far for us after all we are a team in the Philippines (Ateneo De Manila University).
I have emailed supadance though I'm a little scared since their a big company. We did compete in the Philippine Star Ball (actually that was my first competition)

In terms of hardwork I don't think I've seen people work as hard as my team mates, we only started in late 2007 (with only around two couples) and got supported by the school physical education department in 2008 (currently ten couples with a training pool) and most of us only started seriously training last november and we're already dominating top 6 rankings in closed syllabus competitions but well thats closed syllabus...

I've been sort of hoping our coach's name (Belinda Adora), would help us grab some companies...

Supadance has replied but it was the secretary and they haven't given a straight answer.

[anniep]

It's good to know there's folks like you out there. I had often wondered how the top people could afford to dress themselves for comps...how many different dresses one needs to have and how frequent the turnover. Of course one can resell, but still...

BTW, I've been wondering who the designers were for DWTS and what the prices and such were. I would be interested to know.


I believe Designs to Shine only did the 1st season... it is now Randall's Designs. Their main office is in Phoenix and their prices are a little lower than Designs to Shine. :)

[jjs914]

I believe Designs to Shine only did the 1st season... it is now Randall's Designs. Their main office is in Phoenix and their prices are a little lower than Designs to Shine. :)

I had also heard that LeNique was doing some costumes for DWTS (I think the men's costumes), but I've not checked the accuracy of that.

[Jananananana]

Uhm USDC and OSB might be a little too far for us

Hey Emkey, welcome!! The teams in England have tons of sponsors. They are also very collegiate dancers and they just go around and ask for sponsorships. I know that they wear shirts with all of their sponsors' names on them. They get costumes, and other random things. So, it is definitely possible. For example, the Featherwaits are the team that I am specifically referring to.

I think the bigger question is: how popular is it in your country? How well do the companies know of dance sport? and How willing is your team to go out ask for sponsorships and negotiate the terms of the sponsorship?

[emkey]

Hey Emkey, welcome!! The teams in England have tons of sponsors. They are also very collegiate dancers and they just go around and ask for sponsorships. I know that they wear shirts with all of their sponsors' names on them. They get costumes, and other random things. So, it is definitely possible. For example, the Featherwaits are the team that I am specifically referring to.

I think the bigger question is: how popular is it in your country? How well do the companies know of dance sport? and How willing is your team to go out ask for sponsorships and negotiate the terms of the sponsorship?

well right now I'm looking mostly for shoe sponsors. it may come as a shock to you guys but none-dance companies i find might be easier to ask sponsorship from since I'm not actually negotiating for their goods and I'm used to this from my other school organizations

[emkey]

I hate to double post but

Great news!

They haven't completely said yes yet but i spoke with a local company that makes dance shoes here in manila and they seem to be willing to donate! However, I spoke with supadance through email and they also seem to be willing to donate....

hmm lol dillema!
Hope one or the other gives cash sponsorships as well for the clubs finances

[TinyDancer109]

So obviously ballroom dancing is one of the most (if not THE) most expensives sports... after complaining to someone who does not know nor follow ballroom, they suggested a fab idea... "why dont you get sponsored to compete?" why didnt i think of that? :doh:

so i started researching how to get sponsored and i read that the best thing to do is to get an agent (talent agent?)

had anybody ever heard of this or done it? does it work? if so, does anybody know an agent/how to get sponsored in the nyc tri-state area??

I could really use some help because i dont know how much longer i can afford to do what i love most in this world :cry:...

thanks in advance!

[Flyingkamakiri]

Whats the name of the Website? I'm looking for sponsorship on a team wide basis.

Another dance website out there has a forum designed for dance groups looking for sponsorships -- financial, costumes, shoes, etc.

[inftaxs]

BTW, I've been wondering who the designers were for DWTS and what the prices and such were. I would be interested to know.

There were several designers on the DWTS, Dress4Dance one of them.

[3wishes]

hmmm, some other designers at DWTS are Randall Designs, Designs to Shine, LeNique and several others. Costume costs run in the thousands.
Randall has a section on their web site that you can view DWTS costumes for sale with details of such as does Designs to Shine. LeNique also features costumes used on DWTS in the text about the costume itself.
Happy reading.;)

[Praesul]

I'm sorry if there is another thread similar to this one. Please feel free to attach this one onto to it.
But how does an amateur dancer find sponsorship? Does one go to a doctor or a lawyer and ask for funds? What are other ways for someone to find help affording competitions? Especially one who is not a pro yet. Thanks in advance! :D

[Terpsichorean Clod]

Moved post :)