Programs from Comps

[ChaChaMama]

Just a check-in here: do normal people throw out their competition programs, or hang on to them for a year or so, or hang on to them forever?

CCM (has problems with clutter)

[kimV6]

Just a check-in here: do normal people throw out their competition programs, or hang on to them for a year or so, or hang on to them forever?

CCM (has problems with clutter)

i save all of my programs from all of my competitions, and keep them with my ribbons and other ballroom mementos in my old capezio box in my closet. then again, i'm also a huge packrat, and save everything that could possibly be a memento from those paper wristbands to rocks i pick up off the beach. but i think it gives everything a nice sense of perspective when you look back at real old programs.

[Katarzyna]

I am the oposite of swan :) dont have any program saved, only medals and trophys sometimes.. ribbons don't stick with me long

[reb]

I love the way you phrased this question . . . :rolleyes:

Just a check-in here: do normal people

I save programs and numbers (don't even ask about the trophies etc.)

[Katarzyna]

you are right reb.. This was to normal people, I shouldn't have responded :)

[etp777]

I've only done the one so far, kept program and number. I suspect in future I won't keep the programs, though may continue to keep the numbers. Ask again in a few months. ;)

Oh, and I have program from our July nationals here in office even though I didn't compete, but that was to answer some questions for someone else on here who couldn't make it.

[Laura]

I used to save the programs from comps I'd been in forever -- but then after about 8 years of competing I felt I had WAY too many of them, so I switched to keeping only a year's worth at a time. Then I moved, and have even less space for junk, so now I don't bother keeping them for more than a month or two.

[White Chacha]

I have almost all of mine. But I was sorely tempted to chuck them all during a recent whole-home cleanout. I elected to put them in a box for now and reconsider when I move.

[Anna]

I just keep ribbons.

[JANATHOME]

The ribbons make great bookmarkers!

[Laura]

The ribbons make great bookmarkers!
Ha! I'm currently using a ribbon (but this one happens to be from skating) as a bookmark! :)

[fascination]

I keep the big prgrams for the ads and dates of upcoming comps at least for a while...then I tend to pitch them...as for the other stuff, I have never kept ribbons...the other little thingeys are rattling around in the bottow of at least five or six different dance bags

[Mandicraft]

I keep all the programs from the comps I go to, and I don't usually compete, but I track how the team that I go to cheer for does. So I get questions down the line of how did so and so do at that comp, or where have I seen that couple before, so it's nice to have them as a reference.

[White Chacha]

Ah but for a comprehensive online results database ;-)

[samina]

i don't even buy the programs...

[danceronice]

Well, I've only been in two comps (three if you count the studio invitational) and yeah, I kept the programs. I also have the ribbons, but then I'm another pack rat. I have ribbons from the day camp horse shows from the first barn I rode at when I was in grade school still in the closet at my parents'.

[White Chacha]

i don't even buy the programs...

They're ususally free at collegiate comps.

[meow]

I have kept all trophies. The ribbons here are more like sashes so unless you are a giant from a fairy tale they are no good as bookmarks. I only have kept the programs that have some sentimental value, like great results or it has been autographed by someone well known.

[kimV6]

They're ususally free at collegiate comps.

man who buys programs? if they don't come free, i just wait around until i see a discarded one and pick it up.

[JohnLL]

I used to keep all of my numbers and ribbons. Sometimes all I had to show for a day was the number of my back though! :-) Where the programs were free or I could beg/borrow/steal I'd have one but I typically didn't pay for a programs.

[IlyZislin]

man who buys programs? if they don't come free, i just wait around until i see a discarded one and pick it up.

So that's who always steals my program :) :) :)

[reb]

So that's who always steals my program :) :) :)
Yikes! :doh:

. . . and we typically had been leaving ours open so passers-by could flip through it

[kimV6]

So that's who always steals my program :) :) :)

sorry. sacrifices had to be made.

. . . and we typically had been leaving ours open so passers-by could flip through it

to be fair, if it's in or around the vicinity of somebody's stuff, i will just flip through it to find out names, etc. and leave it with it's rightful owner. it's at the end of the comp when i find them vacated on chairs with no one in sight that i pick them up.

[waltzgirl]

I've kept the programs from my first couple comps for sentimental reasons, but not since then.

[tanya_the_dancer]

I am saving them for now, since I have plenty of storage space. At least with Heart Of America programs, they're useful for past years references since HOA does not have entries or results online.

[latingal]

I usually keep mine for a year or so and then chuck 'um.

Re: disappearing programs...I once was at a comp that I left my program with a girlfriend on a table. The girlfriend stood up and went to talk to a friend somewhat near the table. When I got back I asked where the program had gotten to....it turned out the lady two tables down took it. How do I know? I write my name on the front of the program as soon as I get it. It was rather embarrassing having to ask to borrow my program back and then point out that my name was on it.

[waltzgirl]

I usually keep mine for a year or so and then chuck 'um.

Re: disappearing programs...I once was at a comp that I left my program with a girlfriend on a table. The girlfriend stood up and went to talk to a friend somewhat near the table. When I got back I asked where the program had gotten to....it turned out the lady two tables down took it. How do I know? I write my name on the front of the program as soon as I get it. It was rather embarrassing having to ask to borrow my program back and then point out that my name was on it.


Embarrassing for her, I hope you mean? That's some nerve, to take a program that has someone else's name on the front.

[Laura]

It was rather embarrassing having to ask to borrow my program back and then point out that my name was on it.
Embarrassing to who? If anyone should be embarrassed, it should be the person who wandered off with your program!

I, too, scrawl my name on it front and back, inside and outside cover, and on the spine (if present) when I get one to keep it from wandering away. Also, I've discovered that if I tear the cover off, it tends to keep people from walking off it with because it's "damaged."

It's a shame to have to do this, but if I don't it's like flushing $15-$25 away....

[elisedance]

makes me boil over - and when someone walks off with it and you go to get it back (I too write my name on every facet) they look at you as if you are insulting them - they were only 'borrowing it'.

I haven't thought of the righ phrase yet.....

[waltzgirl]

"Oh, you're welcome to borrow it--just ask first. Otherwise, it's hard to tell a borrower from a thief."

[Laura]

After they say they were just borrowing it, try something like

"Ahh I see, and I would like it back right now please."

Over the years I've had so many people walk off with programs from the table that I was sitting behind selling them from that I don't care what people think, the second they pick one up I tell them it's $10 (or whatever it is, we usually charge $5 or $10 at our comps). And if they say they are just looking at the schedule, I point them to the paper schedules that we have hanging all around the comp. And if they keep looking, I say to them "make sure you do not walk off with that" after a minute or two.

Sure, it's not ladylike, but what to do? I'm a vendor at that point, when I'm trying to sell the programs, not someone's buddy.

I should try attaching sample programs to the table with string, and keep the ones for sale out of customer reach until they say "I'd like to buy a program."

[latingal]

when someone walks off with it and you go to get it back (I too write my name on every facet) they look at you as if you are insulting them - they were only 'borrowing it'.

Hi Laura, WG and elisedance! Have to admit I'm not very good with conflict - it embarrassed me to have to ask for my program back and indeed this lady looked at me like I was insulting her for asking to get it back.

[Laura]

People who are in the wrong and know they are often pull that kind of stuff, LG. Unfortunately, the nice people like you are the ones who get taken advantage of by those who think they can just walk off with someone's program, or cut in line, or whatever.

I despise it because I feel that having to deal with this is slowly making me into some kind of hard a#$ about things, but what to do?

When a nice person makes an honest mistake and you point out that they have your program, they usually say something like "oh gosh, I'm sorry, I just picked it up! Here you go!

[latingal]

I despise it because I feel that having to deal with this is slowly making me into some kind of hard a#$ about things, but what to do?

Well Laura I appreciate people like you that do take the initiative to make sure things are set as right as they can be for others....so no, not a hard a$$ but someone who is willing and unafraid to stand up for what's right.

When a nice person makes an honest mistake and you point out that they have your program, they usually say something like "oh gosh, I'm sorry, I just picked it up! Here you go!

So true....

[Larinda McRaven]

I havent saved programs in years, because I haven't boughtone in years.

And when I moved last year I opened boxes and boxes of programs that were O.L.D. It was pretty fun to look back in them and see who used to dance with who and in what division. There were no scores in them, but just looking at the heat lists was pretty fun. Then I threw them all away.

At a comp I will generallyt look at any program that is left on a table, taking care not to lose the page it is opened to. But I would never ever move the program one inch or pick it up. I think it is pretty common that people rifle through programs, but I only occasionally hear of programs going missing. Too bad when it happens though...

[latingal]

At a comp I will generallyt look at any program that is left on a table, taking care not to lose the page it is opened to. But I would never ever move the program one inch or pick it up.

Since I usually end up buying a program, I am always happy to accomodate anybody that wants to look at their heats etc. and am never unhappy if people do as Larinda has indicated above....heck, the programs are usually quite expensive - might as well share and save somebody a buck or two.

[Laura]

heck, the programs are usually quite expensive - might as well share and save somebody a buck or two.
It's nice to share :) I've met some interesting newbie spectators that way!

The programs aren't often a profit center, though, at least for the comps I've helped to organize. At one comp I was working on, it cost $3 to print the program and we were selling them for $5, and we still didn't sell enough to cover the cost of printing...but if we don't do a program for our larger comps, people complain (and rightfully so).

I don't know how this breaks down for thicker programs and larger comps (i.e., any NDCA comp). I'm talking about a one-day comp with a program small enough that it can be stapled in the fold, the kind that doesn't have to be bound and doesn't have full-color pages.

[elisedance]

"Oh, you're welcome to borrow it--just ask first. Otherwise, it's hard to tell a borrower from a thief."

nice line - cept, perhaps, these are people who would reply 'oh thanks' and you may never see it again! :eek:

[liz]

I have a photo album that I put a picture from each comp in. I think it will be fun to have down the line.I also like to keep my heat sheets.. Not so much into keeping the programs. They would take up alot of space after awhile. I think I will start printing off my score sheets and keeping those to see how I progress.

[tanya_the_dancer]

It's nice to share :) I've met some interesting newbie spectators that way!

The programs aren't often a profit center, though, at least for the comps I've helped to organize. At one comp I was working on, it cost $3 to print the program and we were selling them for $5, and we still didn't sell enough to cover the cost of printing...but if we don't do a program for our larger comps, people complain (and rightfully so).

I don't know how this breaks down for thicker programs and larger comps (i.e., any NDCA comp). I'm talking about a one-day comp with a program small enough that it can be stapled in the fold, the kind that doesn't have to be bound and doesn't have full-color pages.

What about advertising in these programs? Shouldn't that cover part of the printing?

[skwiggy]

I have never bought a program. I would never steal a program. I would do exactly as Larinda describes, leaving everything exactly how I found it, on the correct page, and not even lifting the program off of the table so that no one gets the wrong impression. If someone sees me doing so with their program and gives me a look to indicate that they may be getting the wrong impression, then I promptly ask if it is their program, and if they mind if I have a look. I have frequently asked to glance at someone else's program, and no one seems to mind.

I just somehow feel "taken" when I pay the money to enter the competition, and then I have to pay more money to find out what time I need to line up. If I paid my registration fee, then shouldn't the information about what time I dance be included in that fee?

I am a packrat though, and I keep every single ribbon, medal and trophy.

[chachachacat]

One of my favorite students always wrote on the cover of his program,
"STOLEN FROM _____________________", with his name of course.

[skwiggy]

I love it. :)

[kimV6]

I am a packrat though, and I keep every single ribbon, medal and trophy.

yay for packrats! i knew we were friends for a reason!

[skwiggy]

I am a packrat. And the first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem.

I'm working VERY hard to learn how to clear the clutter. Especially now that I live with someone who can't stand clutter. I have a great book borrowed from a fellow packrat on clearing clutter and the positive effects on your life of doing so. It has really inspired me to try to change my ways. If you want to borrow it too, let me know. ;)

[Laura]

If I paid my registration fee, then shouldn't the information about what time I dance be included in that fee?
Since it's easy enough to make up lists of start times, both on a full-competition and per-person basis, I don't see why someone couldn't hang competition timeline lists in dressing rooms, in the on-deck area, on doorways and walls etc. so that people can get that information. (That's what we usually do at our USA Dance comps.)

Although listing every heat and start time like that is kind of impractical for a Pro/Am comp with 600 events.... (However at the last Pro/Am competition I worked at, we provided personalized lists of events and start times to the teachers so they could manage all their Pro/Am activities.)

The bottom line is that it's not difficult to give people the information they need, and if a comp wants to take good care of its competitors, then they can do little helpful things like that. And if it cuts into program sales, then maybe the programs are too expensive anyway. I went to a horse show last week where the program was included in the price of admission -- and it was a nice "bound" program with full-color pages, like the kind of thing you'd pay $25 for at the Ohio Star Ball. Of course, there's a LOT more money in the mid-to-high end horse show world than there is in dancesport, but still it's something to think about. Since dancers seem to like things a la carte to save as much money as possible, I've talked with people about the idea of offering programs for sale when the couple registers. They could tick tha they want a program, and add it to their entry fee. The pre-event sales of programs would be at a nice discount, rather than at the full price charged at the comp. When you'd check in you'd be handed your program and you'd be good to go. If you're the type of person who wants a program, you can get it at a discount as part of signing up for the comp. And if you're the type of person who doesn't care, you can skip the whole thing and save another $5 or $10.

[Laura]

What about advertising in these programs? Shouldn't that cover part of the printing?
I think it depends on the comp. Most of the ads in the comp programs are really freebies. See, organizers trade ad space amongst themselves to promote their comps, and vendors get ads as part of their vendor fees. In my experience, there's not a lot of third-party advertisers who are paying actual money to get into the program.

[SDsalsaguy]

...and vendors get ads as part of their vendor fees.
In most of the cases I'm familiar with vendors are required to purchase an ad in addition to what are "officially" their vendor fees. Also keep in mind that many of the major shoe/dress vendors and the like run ads in programs whether they are on site or not.

[White Chacha]

In collegiates, judge ads are frequently comp'd. A small compensation for the judge who's invariably underpaid for the task, if at all.

[DancerForLife]

We always buy a book - as we are watching the events and awards, try to make note so we can post here on DF :-). Otherwise we like to be able to refer to couples, and have the book available for future reference. Some that DH has kept probably have historic value, with all the partner changes that are happening...

[samina]

I just somehow feel "taken" when I pay the money to enter the competition, and then I have to pay more money to find out what time I need to line up. If I paid my registration fee, then shouldn't the information about what time I dance be included in that fee?

i agree. thank goodness heat lists can be printed off the internet. that's all i've bothered with at my own comps. but i'd buy them if i were going to be there cheering others on... i like knowing who's who & their numbers.

[fascination]

hmm we have always gotten the program for free if on pkg...and even off pkg our heat sheets....and personally, I like keeping track of my placements on that sheet anyhow...just easier

[tanya_the_dancer]

hmm we have always gotten the program for free if on pkg...and even off pkg our heat sheets....and personally, I like keeping track of my placements on that sheet anyhow...just easier

I keep track of my individual marks on the heat sheets (assuming the scores are not going to be online). But even if I don't, they usually end up so crumpled, that there is not point in using them as a keepsake.

[Adwiz]

I've only been competing for four years, but I've kept all the programs from major competitions. And the other day I came across some really old programs from Vancouver's annual SnowBall Classic going back 15 years. It was a joy to look through those old programs and see how the event has progressed. You could see who was judging (many of them still do), who was supporting the DanceSport community (many of them still do), what studios were around (most of them are now history) and other tidbits. The owner of the program had recorded the winners and it was fascinating to see couples who are now regional champions competing in Bronze back then (all of them with different partners). It made me feel really good about keeping my programs. Maybe my kids will enjoy looking through my old programs in the same way years from now.

[tanya_the_dancer]

I've only been competing for four years, but I've kept all the programs from major competitions. And the other day I came across some really old programs from Vancouver's annual SnowBall Classic going back 15 years. It was a joy to look through those old programs and see how the event has progressed. You could see who was judging (many of them still do), who was supporting the DanceSport community (many of them still do), what studios were around (most of them are now history) and other tidbits. The owner of the program had recorded the winners and it was fascinating to see couples who are now regional champions competing in Bronze back then (all of them with different partners). It made me feel really good about keeping my programs. Maybe my kids will enjoy looking through my old programs in the same way years from now.

That's a good point. I was unpacking from Heart of America, and I realized that the latest program will not fit on the shelf with the rest of them. I thought about just throwing some older ones out, then I thought maybe I'll ask if someone cares about a few programs from 2004-2006 (you know, one person's trash thing), and then I found this thread and saw your post and decided that I'll keep them for now. Perhaps, who knows, maybe in 15 years they will be interesting to look at.

[Becca]

I keep absolutely everything! Outside of dance as well, although of course I take a lot more care of the dancing things. I have a whole cupboard filled with all sorts . . . programmes, tickets for this, that and the other, even the plane and train tickets I used to get there, receipts for the things I bought there! I'm a person who is very much all about the memories, very sentimental!

I have some pretty weird keepsakes from dancing to be honest! I still have the bamboo from the middle of the bouquet that Hanna gave to me after she won the British Exhibition championship at Blackpool last year!

[Standarddancer]

The only time I bought a program was at Blackpool; at USA comps I don't buy or save any program. Programs are very cumbersome for storage, occupies too much space on bookshelves. At local comps, I usually borrow programs from photo or video vendors to figure out my own heat #; If I'm also there to cheer for friends, I will find out my friends' heat # and time from them, so no need for program.

[Standarddancer]

The ribbons make great bookmarkers!

absolultely!!! I'm not a big fan of those cheap ribbons! Medals are way better:) but you are right, they are very handy to be used as bookmarkers!

[Sunshines Partner]

I have every program for all my comps for the last 10 years.

[QPO]

I keep them always, they are history, one day they will be thrown away, but not yet.