Once again Thanks to all of the WCS community support especially across Florida, our Floorplay New Years Swing Vacation Event was a terrific success! This was Floorplays 10th WCS Event overall and although not the largest and having to overcome the change of venues, we still had a very smooth, fun filled time attended by about 470 eager, friendly dancers. I never see reason to have to inflate the numbers (like some events do), nor ‘sugar-coat’ any problems that inevitably occur during the course of any event in order to claim success.

The Floorplay Events work because of the overall dance community’s support, our very capable staff, and most importantly because they are geared toward maximum Open Dance time and not Competitions. Yes we conduct a few and had about 85 total participants which helps add to the ‘show’, but this is, and always will be a ‘Party’ event with a premium on everybody dancing and having fun. Total time dedicated to competition and awards amounted to about 4 hours. That’s it. And a good portion of that was in the afternoon and not ‘prime time’ evening dancing.

Our DJ’s play a nice variety of WCS music as well as other dances that makes for a great mix and the Pro dance staff all conducted a very good variety of workshops as well and were very well attended. And Thanks to our headliners – Michael Kielbasa, Jen Deluca, Markus Smith and Deonna Ball for once again putting on a terrific New Years Eve show.

The problems? Yes there was the ‘surprise’ of dessert and coffee missing from the New Years dinner, and I understand many were not pleased with their room accommodations. And yes there was still the occasional mix-up in seating. Every year we try and will continue to fix any problems we can to make your event experience as pleasant as possible.

Next year we return to the Rosen Plaza….yeaaahhh….which will take care of the first two. We are working on a better system to take care of the seating. I would advise those who wish to secure a table to do so early this year. With our planned expanded advertising coverage, enhanced program and upgraded online websites we expect a continued growth in attendance. A Special Thanks to Ms. Jeannie Tucker whose class, professionalism, talent and schedule coordination keeps things running smoothly and is consistently valuable to our success.

Thank you also to Debra Kee, Heather Fuller and Tiffany Newman for their workshops in Cha Cha, Hustle and Salsa respectively which were well attended and very well received.

Thank you one and all for your support and helping maintain our reputation as the ‘Friendliest Club and WCS Event’ on the circuit.
And a final HUGE Thank you to our staff below whose tireless, all important contributions to the Event make it all possible:

• Kevin McDeed – I simply can’t say enough…he’s irreplaceable…the great sound system, video screen, DJ work, coordination and numerous other contributions along the way…our yearlong Floorplay club DJ
• April Prince and Joe d’Antonis for their terrific DJ work and competition music
• Bill Galbraith & Julie Conners – Running the front desk and ‘covering’ for my mix-ups, coordinating the efforts of our other terrific volunteers who worked so hard…Joanne Palmer, Meagan Thomas and her mom Marilyn, Amy Palmer, Janie Morningstar and Denise Kirsop. All of whom helped with other things also.
• Ed Sullivan & Nora Batts – Taking care of security, workshops and seeing to it everyone who entered the Ballroom felt welcomed and comfortable.
• Diane Scott – Who has been on staff since the beginning in many capacities and fills in anywhere needed to keep things running smooth.

I’m sure there are several others who volunteered some of their time to help each ‘station’ and to each I say Thank you and sorry for not having all of your names to mention.

Next year as mentioned we return to the Rosen Plaza and will begin the Event on New Years Eve (Wednesday) and continue thru Saturday Jan. 3rd. We have lots of ideas on how to add to the event experience to keep it fresh and ‘unpredictable’. Two of which are that trophies will be added for the Jack ‘n Jill contests and dessert & coffee will accompany dinner! HOPE YOU’LL JOIN US!