Event Registration Requirements

The following requirements define the standards and responsibilities for hosting official BZDC Registry Events.

All event organizers must comply with these guidelines to maintain their Registry Event status.

Registry Events are organized by event promoters who submit a Registry Event application and receive approval from the BZDC.

New and existing members must meet the following conditions:

• Existing Members must pay annual dues (January 1 – December 31) and submit event information within 3 months before the event.

• New Members must apply at least six (6) months before the proposed event date, providing details such as event location, competition divisions, and staff.

• Events must have at least one year of history before applying as a Registry Event.

• Organizers must notify the BZDC and nearby events (within 700 km or 4 weeks of the same date) to avoid scheduling conflicts.

• Any changes in time or location must be approved by the BZDC at least six (6) months in advance.

All BZDC Registry Events must pay a $1 USD surcharge per Jack & Jill competitor, due within 14 days after the event.

Failure to submit payments or results on time may result in loss of Registry Event status.

Registry Events must meet the following requirements:

• Minimum duration of three (3) days.

• Open to all national and international dancers.

• Held in a venue with proper ballroom and guest facilities.

• Coordination meetings are mandatory: 1h for judges, 1h for DJs, 1h for competitors.

• Must include at least one (1) official BZDC Jack & Jill division, with a minimum of 40 total contestants.

If the event has fewer than 40 competitors:

• It will still be listed and points awarded, but it will lose Registry Event status.

• The event may apply for a one-year probation to rebuild competitor numbers.

• If the minimum is not met after probation, the event will not be renewed as a Registry Event.

To qualify as a Registry Event, Jack & Jill competitions must follow these requirements:

• Head Judge and Scorer must act independently from the event sponsor.

• Competitor divisions must follow the BZDC Competitor Registry.

• No artificial balancing or adding random participants.

• Rotations, finals pairings, and dance order must be determined randomly.

• Results must be judged independently and scored using the BZDC systems.

• Over 45 leads/follows → Semi-finals required.

• Over 80 leads/follows → 10 judges (5 per role) + head judge.

• Max 15 couples move to finals.

• Finals use the Relative Placement system; prelims use Callback system.

• Minimum of 5 judges for finals; 6–10 for prelims.

• Event organizers cannot compete in any division to prevent conflicts of interest.

BZDC supports organizer flexibility while encouraging consistent competition quality:

• Competitors may lead or follow regardless of gender.

• Lead and Follow points are tracked separately as of 2024.

• Dancers may compete in both roles if levels differ, but not both in the same division.

• Teachers with 2+ years of experience start at Intermediate in both roles.

• Competitors must be adults (18+).

• Junior divisions (<18) are encouraged but cannot mix with adults.

• Combined divisions should be avoided when possible.

• Partnerships with mixed levels must compete at the higher level.

• Judges must avoid conflicts of interest (family, romantic, or business ties).

• Results should be publicly posted for a limited, monitored time.

Each event must pay the following fees:

• $200 USD Event Registration Fee to the BZDC.

• $1 USD per competitor to the BZDC for pre-event administrative support.

• $1 USD per competitor to Danceplace for use of the official scoring software.

Danceplace support beyond setup must be arranged separately.

Organizers are responsible for hiring and paying all competition staff.

BZDC does not negotiate or contact staff on behalf of events.

Guidelines:

• Judges: ~$25 USD per round per division.

• Head Judges: ~$50 USD per round per division.

• DJs and MCs: negotiated individually.

• Scorers/Competition Coordinators: $300–$700 USD plus expenses.

• All staff must be paid within two weeks after the event.

• Volunteers are not accepted as judges.

Recommended timing:

• 1–2 hours for preliminaries (depending on size).

• 30 minutes for semi-finals.

• 20 minutes for group finals or 5 minutes per couple for spotlight finals.

BZDC allows degendered competitions — competitors may choose to lead or follow regardless of gender.

However, dancers must choose only one role per event and compete at their registered level.

Organizer duties include:

• Scheduling sufficient time for competitions.

• Hiring and managing judges, MCs, DJs, Scorers, and volunteers.

• Promoting competitions with the BZDC logo at least 3 months in advance.

• Providing prizes, trophies, and medals.

• Ensuring access to printers, internet, and all required materials.

Select experienced volunteers at least two weeks before the event.

They should coordinate with the Competition Coordinator for proper training.

Prepare all materials before the event begins:

• Clipboards for judges, MC, and floor marshals (at least 10 total).

• Bibs (with extras and blanks for late registrants).

• Sharpies and medium safety pins (2 per bib).

• Extra pens (double the number of clipboards).

• Random number generator, dice, or cards for rotations.

• Cups and paper for spotlight finals.

• Printer, paper, and reliable internet connection.

Promote your competitions early and visibly.

Use the BZDC logo in all marketing at least 3 months before the event.

Incentivize participation with prizes, trophies, or sponsored event passes.

Any Registry Event failing to meet these requirements will lose BZDC membership and Registry Event status.

Results will not be tracked in the Competitor Registry until the organizer reapplies and is approved again by the BZDC Board.