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 this year had about 160 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 once again to only about 6 hours. That’s it. And a good portion (3.5 hrs.) 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 make for a great mix and the Pro dance staff all conducted a very good variety of workshops as well and were very well attended.

Thanks to our teaching and Performing Staff Michael Kielbasa, Jen Deluca, always a delight to have, in putting on a great show along with our other Professionals from around Florida, Danielle Blouin, Trish Berlanga and John & Mary Jane Harris and for their very well attended and received workshops along with judging some very closely contested competitions. Thank you also to Rodney Moore & Joanna Matsis from New Zealand for adding to our show on New Years Eve with some East Coast/Lindy and conducting a workshop in the same.

A Special Thanks to Nicola Royston whose professionalism, talent and beauty added class to the event, and for bringing along that ‘other guy’, her husband Robert Royston…Robert was, as he is everywhere, the consummate Professional. Always entertaining, he kept the contests running smooth and pretty close to always on time. I have great respect for his multiple abilities and he deserves the title of ‘Best in the Business”….of course he owes all of his success to Nicola. ( I think I’m off the hook now) And I’m very pleased to report that they both will be returning next year!

Kevin McDeed, April Prince and Earl Yeomans for their terrific DJ work, great mix of music and April’s choices of competition music that made it fair for all competitors. Without the DJ’s great music we would all just be ‘dancing mimes’.

And, Cherry Taylor’s Master Dancefloor was, as always, a delight to dance on.

The problems? Very few again this year. Although the first night was a little warm in the ballroom we were able to get it taken care of the rest of the way. The Rosen Plaza, though not ‘perfect’, is always accommodating to our needs and we’ll happily be returning again next year. A few leaks in the ballroom were a surprise but fortunately they were not extensive nor interfered with any of the festivities. Other than that we ran pretty smooth.

The New Years Eve dinner was tremendous as always and they again allowed us to have the pizza party inside due to some very cool weather. And, as always we provided a bottle of Champagne on every table for the midnight celebration. Every year we try and will continue to fix any problems we can to make your event experience as pleasant as possible.

I would advise those who wish to secure a table for next year to do so early this year. Several already have. With our planned expanded advertising coverage, enhanced program ( Pro-Ams to be included along with another ballroom) and upgraded online websites we expect a continued growth in attendance. Almost all events had experienced a drop in attendance this past year due primarily to the economic problems but most hope, and expect things to get much better as 2010 unfolds.

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 – simply cant say enough…he’s irreplaceable…The ‘right-hand Man’ of FloorPlay…I (especially), the Club and the dance community in general owe him a great deal of gratitude…the great, constantly updated music, sound system, video screen, the Laser light system, always terrific DJ work, coordination and numerous other contributions along the way…our yearlong FloorPlay club DJ both weekly and at our big monthly dance.

Amy Palmer running the front desk (probably the most difficult job of any event) with the help of experienced Staff members Bill & Julie Galbraith ‘covering’ for any mix-ups, and coordinating the efforts of our other terrific volunteers who worked so hard…, Linda Murphy, Meagan Thomas and her mom Marilyn, Denise Kirsop, Cindy Winternitz, Janie Morningstar, Ginger Rosacia, Irene Gomulka. All of whom helped with many other things also.

Ed Sullivan & Nora Batts – taking care of Security, workshops, tickets, handling all of the informative signs posted 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…and me out of as much trouble as possible.

Bill Bray & Maria Hardy, staff members from the Daytona & Tampa areas who have helped greatly on our cruises as well as the event.

Tagg Leduc – FloorPlay’s newest staff member as website coordinator and Videographer whose Jack-N-Jill Productions w/ Darla Martinelli did a terrific job shooting this years event. Check their website to get a copy.

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 beautiful Rosen Plaza and will begin the Event again on New Years Eve (friday) and continue thru Sunday night Jan. 2nd. (Although there may be an ‘Early Bird’ Dance Thursday evening). We have lots of ideas on how to continue to add to the event experience to keep it fresh and ‘unpredictable’. Beginning with the addition of Pro/Am Competitions.

HOPE YOU’LL JOIN US!

Thank You All.
Sincerely,
Mark Traynor
FloorPlay Club Director