2026 Competition Opportunities
- Thread starter ProgressNotPerfection
- Start date
Arun Garg
Well-Known Member
@ProgressNotPerfection already answered the question, but I'll add to the commentary by saying that I have avoided using all of the apps that host the same Premier software (DV, CompBuddy, Dance Comp, etc). I always go direct to ndcapremier . com for all of my heatlist/program/result info. I've found that it's the most direct source from the program, reflecting any logistic changes and result updates the fastest. I keep it bookmarked on my phone internet browser for easiest access.
For what it's worth, I've found that:
(i) the DV Circuit app can be "glitchy" and will freeze on some pages, so I've uninstalled and re-installed that thing several times; and
(ii) there have been times when I've tried to access ndcapremier dot com and will receive a message on my browser with a notification the website's certificate is not valid and either the website is misconfigured or the connection to the website is at risk of being compromised.
It does not instill confidence.
(i) the DV Circuit app can be "glitchy" and will freeze on some pages, so I've uninstalled and re-installed that thing several times; and
(ii) there have been times when I've tried to access ndcapremier dot com and will receive a message on my browser with a notification the website's certificate is not valid and either the website is misconfigured or the connection to the website is at risk of being compromised.
It does not instill confidence.
Question for all
Of the large comps, could someone rank them by how expensive they are wholesale pricing wise? I know overall pricing is a YMMV situation, but how does each of the following comps rank as far as the most to least expensive wholesale wise?
USDC, Ohio Star, Emerald, Embassy, Manhattan, Millennium, Capitol etc?
Of the large comps, could someone rank them by how expensive they are wholesale pricing wise? I know overall pricing is a YMMV situation, but how does each of the following comps rank as far as the most to least expensive wholesale wise?
USDC, Ohio Star, Emerald, Embassy, Manhattan, Millennium, Capitol etc?
wahoo_foxtrot
Well-Known Member
estion for all
I only went to three of them. I do not observe the wholesale price that organizers charge the studio, but I know my end-use consumer price. My studio charges a two-part tariff: a fixed package fee (excluding heats) + varying heat costs.
If I assume all comps I went to are equally good (simply arguendo), and just compare the average cost in dollar-per-heat. Then I would say, for me, Millennium = 1.2*OSB, and USDC = 1.3*OSB. Part of the reason is that Millennium and USDC have higher per-heat-price, and the 2nd reason is that they use resort hotels, while OSB uses conference hotels. I cannot comment on other competitions you listed. My studio gave me a quote for Emerald a while back, and I recall it was as expensive as USDC.
I only went to three of them. I do not observe the wholesale price that organizers charge the studio, but I know my end-use consumer price. My studio charges a two-part tariff: a fixed package fee (excluding heats) + varying heat costs.
If I assume all comps I went to are equally good (simply arguendo), and just compare the average cost in dollar-per-heat. Then I would say, for me, Millennium = 1.2*OSB, and USDC = 1.3*OSB. Part of the reason is that Millennium and USDC have higher per-heat-price, and the 2nd reason is that they use resort hotels, while OSB uses conference hotels. I cannot comment on other competitions you listed. My studio gave me a quote for Emerald a while back, and I recall it was as expensive as USDC.
When you say "wholesale price" do you mean just heats, or heats and ballroom entry, or heats, ballroom entry, and hotel?
I meant just heats
fatherdowling
Well-Known Member
If I’m remembering correctly Embassy requires singles entries for every multi dance. So I think for that reason it was more money because I had to have be entered in more dances.
HappyLilac
Well-Known Member
Capital’s pricing is available on their site without a password, which is a pleasant surprise.
Arun Garg
Well-Known Member
I’ve found Manhattan and OSB to be the cheapest wholesale in terms of major comps. That being said the difference in cheapest entries for a large comp and most expensive entries for a large comp is maybe a difference of $5-10 per single dance at most, $10-25 difference for multis, and I’ve found scholarships range the most, often depending on how much prize money is paid out to the finalists. The biggest differences for me always end up being hotel costs, flight costs, food costs, all depending on where the event is located.
ProgressNotPerfection
Forum Master
Most of the comps you listed charge $45-55 per heat (single dance entry). USDC, otoh, charges $75-80 per heat. Multidance scholarships & championships are generally around $200. But also keep in mind that USDC makes competitors pay the ballroom entry fees even for the sessions in which they are dancing (about $50 per daytime session); whereas most other comps waive those for registered entrants. So USDC is significantly more expensive in terms of wholesale costs - as well as the very expensive venue.
That’s a normal rule for pretty much every NDCA comp: you have to pay for at least one single dance for all dances included in any scholarship and championship you enter. I.e., to enter a 4-dance smooth scholarship of W/T/F/V, you have to pay for a single W & a single T & a single F & a single V. And if you also enter a 4-dance smooth championship, you have to pay for an additional set of single dances.
I see it was $60 wholesale for USDC single dance wise last year, with 240-300 for for multis. It hasn’t been updated for this year. I just was wondering if OSB, Millennium, Emerald, etc were comparable.
Unless I’m missing something, entry tickets even for sessions you are dancing in are still the norm. That is a practice that needs to be strictly banned across the board.