I had an amazing time at Pole Con 2023! Here are a few highlights from my trip.
Day 1: Welcome to Pole Con
I was fortunate to be able to be on the same flight as a few people from my studio who were also attending Pole Con. I woke up bright and early to catch a 5:00 am flight, then headed to Baltimore, near where the convention was being held, when I arrived, I caught an uber, where I had a nice chat with the driver, who had also recently started taking pole dance!
When I arrived at the hotel, I had to wait a bit, as check-in was not until 3 am, to pass the time, I hung out at the Casino that was attached to the hotel and got food for lunch. I also was able to check in to the convention and get my bracelet that would give me access to the convention. When it was time to check in, I grabbed my bags, and promptly went to my room to wind down. Travel days are always…alot. I closed out the evening by getting dinner with my studio mates, then I headed for bed.
Day 2 & 3: Workshops and Masterclasses Galore
2022 was a busy season for me, with several performances and a big showcase taking up the bulk of my time. For this pole con, I wanted to relax and be a student. This led to me ambitiously taking 6, that’s right 6 workshops. In my head it sounded doable…but in practice, my body was TI-RED.
Here’s how my schedule broke down:
Day 2
9:30 AM Pointe and Ankle Conditioning with Marlene
4:00 PM Body By Fran Pole Conditioning
5:45 PM Nicole the Pole Inversions University (Adv Beg-Int)
Day 3
10:45 AM Tink Handsprings Are Bae (Int)
2:15 Sasja Fierce, Fierce Floor Fleau (All Levels)
5:45 Natasha Wang Shape Shifting for Pole Creatures (Int)
I was also able to peek in and check out some cool showcases and stand in awe of all the amazing performers in the community.
Day 4: Trip To DC
Visiting DC has been on my travel to do list for a while. Since Pole Con was in the DMV area this year, I decided to take a trip to the nation’s capital and check out the monuments. I took the train into the city, went on a guided bus tour, then met up with a high school friend to close out the day. I really enjoyed my time, but by the time I made it back to the hotel, I was POOPED.
Overall, I had a GREAT time at pole con, and I am so proud to the progress I made in some of my skills. I did ALOT of shopping…like alot, but I found some really cool things, including a new book!
Pole Con isn't just about dance; it's about forging lasting connections with fellow pole dance enthusiasts. One of the best parts of the convention is meeting people from all over who share the same passion as you. I can’t wait until the next convention!
