How do you decide which comps?

[liz]

I have been looking at different comps for next year. There are some that I go to because they are easy to drive to. A couple I go to because I have in the past and enjoy them. I tend to stay on the east side of the country. I am wondering if I need to travel out west to a couple this year to let the judges out there see me more.
Was wondering how you all decide which comps to go to. Is it the organizers that you like, the entries from the years past, is it that you know that it has a good turn out in your division,,,, Should I try to go to more smaller comps to get more time infront of the judges without the other top girls out there or should I hit only the big comps that have all the top girls there? Maybe I am thinking about it to much;)
Just wanted to have a more planned out year this coming year...

[fascination]

IMV...a bit of both...or let me amend that; yes to all of the above

[reb]

Hi liz,

I agree with fascination . . .

Its good and natural to support and go to local / nearby comps - especially in your location-challenged situation.

There are some comps we go to just because of the size of the fields, an organizer/organization we want to support, etc.

I think some big comps are a must, but I also think that excluding smaller comps can be a mistake and a waste of excellent opportunities.

There is also life outside the ballroom - what a chance to see more/different people and places!

I recommend that you add in at least one of the West Coast comps, such as Embassy, Emerald, San Fran, San Diego, and/or one of the Vegas comps anyway - just to mix it up over time. Even though some judges travel all around, some we never see until we hit the NorthEast, and some never until Ohio.

It may be helpful to think of this as a long-term investment and mix it up over the years - you don't have to do it all in one year.

See you again at a comp real soon - Nashville?

[waltzguy]

I also like the ones that are close, eg. within driving distance.

[cornutt]

So, Liz, when are you doing the Huntsville Invitational again? ;)

[danceronice]

1. Is one or both of my pros going? (Kinda defeats the purpose if they're not.)
2. How much money will it involve?
3. Is the timing right with work?

[liz]

Hi liz,

I agree with fascination . . .

Its good and natural to support and go to local / nearby comps - especially in your location-challenged situation.

There are some comps we go to just because of the size of the fields, an organizer/organization we want to support, etc.

I think some big comps are a must, but I also think that excluding smaller comps can be a mistake and a waste of excellent opportunities.

There is also life outside the ballroom - what a chance to see more/different people and places!

I recommend that you add in at least one of the West Coast comps, such as Embassy, Emerald, San Fran, San Diego, and/or one of the Vegas comps anyway - just to mix it up over time. Even though some judges travel all around, some we never see until we hit the NorthEast, and some never until Ohio.

It may be helpful to think of this as a long-term investment and mix it up over the years - you don't have to do it all in one year.

See you again at a comp real soon - Nashville?
The comps you listed are the ones I have been looking into. I have heard that some of these are more for the latin pro/ams than the rhythm... Emerald and Embassy are the 2 I have been really thinking about.
Now that I am with my new pro, I am pretty much the only one who has been going to non FADS comps. So, all of the cost have been mine. I know a couple of the ladies like to go to one of these two comps. Will have to ask which one... If you had to pick which one do you like better?
YES< I will be at Nashville stars.. after that what I am think of for the year ; Florida Superstars, Heritage, (April Emerald maybe), Atlanta Open, Colorado Star Ball, Volunteer state, ( August Embassy,maybe or Emerald not sure), USDSC, Hotlanta maybe, Ohio....

[etp777]

having to bear the cost myself of non-fads comps has been something that has kept me from doing it so far, Liz. Part of reason I keep pushing everyone at our studio to compete. We barely even do the FADS comps. I figure I have to get the students to do that first, before I can push towoards NDCA ones.

[latingal]

Was wondering how you all decide which comps to go to. Is it the organizers that you like, the entries from the years past, is it that you know that it has a good turn out in your division

I guess the answer depends on my level, exposure, goals and nature of the comp.

Pro-am is very, very expensive. I am always asked why I do not do many local comps...the simple answer is, unfortunately in my case it's expensive to have a pro compete with me - I have to choose the comps carefully that will work in my favor over the year.

When I started in latin I did only local comps. I felt there was no need to spend money on travel for myself and pro until I had honed my skills enough to place in the finals of a national level comp (comp that draws the top competitors in my division from around the country).

Since I wanted to eventually test my skill at the biggest and title comps (ohio, nationals, etc.), I chose comps on the west and east coast that would give me exposure to many of the judges, were a draw for the best in my division, and ones that I might have enjoyed in the past that met those criteria.

Should I try to go to more smaller comps to get more time infront of the judges without the other top girls out there or should I hit only the big comps that have all the top girls there?

hmmm....wouldn't have thought of this one myself. I didn't take this route, but I could see how some might try this. But I guess in the end, you have to get noticed with the top girls on the floor, so for me I thought I'd just throw myself in to the lion den when my skills were ready. *grin*

[reb]

place in the finals of a national level comp (comp that draws the top competitors in my division from around the country).


Secret Identity Translator:

latingal is modest and is not exaggerating. She's the real deal. ;)

[samina]

When I started in latin I did only local comps. I felt there was no need to spend money on travel for myself and pro until I had honed my skills enough to place in the finals of a national level comp (comp that draws the top competitors in my division from around the country).

Since I wanted to eventually test my skill at the biggest and title comps (ohio, nationals, etc.), I chose comps on the west and east coast that would give me exposure to many of the judges, were a draw for the best in my division


interesting...this may guide my choices of comps for next year...

[Standarddancer]

size of fields, convenience of the venue, not too expensive registration fees, organizer I want to support, comps where I can find bargain airfares, I also follow the crowds, go where everyone else is going.