Social Recreational Dance "Industry"

Critical importance of industry superstructure & infrastructure

It is possible to determine the value of the "industry" component of an industry.  I would say that, for many industries, between 20% and 33% (as much as one-third) of the total value of it would be due to the "industry component", the superstructure and infrastructure, and the remainder attributed to "the enterprises" in it.

In some industries, elements such as government are responsible for a significant part of the total industry value.  But in social-recreational dancing that is not the case.

It is my assertion that in social-recreational dancing we are missing a huge foundation of value creation.  And without it we are crippled; in the same sort of way that a dancer missing an important foundational element must go on and learn how to dance without it.  We do the best we can without some critically important parts.

Conventions

Industries usually have an annual convention. Most often the industry/trade association convenes this; and when it is missing, the industry most often does not have any meaningful industry meetings.

But in a few industries, most visibly in the high-tech world, private event promoters sponsor the top industry meetings; and, in some cases, individual vendor-companies, for example, Apple, produce major annual shindigs.

The industry-association convention is a series of committe meetings and membership confabs to conduct the business of the association; and there are usually educational programs including presentations, seminars, and workshops on various business-related topics.  Additionally the convention often includes a trade show.

In social-recreational dancing we are missing a lot of potential industry value in our lack of industry business conventions.

Dance-oriented activities have grown; while social-recreational dance has declined?!?!?!!!

The growth in dance-oriented activities has been occurring at the very same time that social-recreational dance has declined.  How can that be?

Who would have predicted that years ago?  It looked like some of those activities would remain in their backwater, marginal roles.

Performance-dance of almost all varieties has grown greatly (with fits and starts); at the very same time that social-recreational dance overall has declined. And, yes, there are social-recreational dance-booms that occur and then flame out; while performance-dance continues to grow.  (I will be addressing the current Ballroom situation in future posts.)

Social-recreational dance has awesome potential for the future

What is the future of social-recreational dance? 

In considering the history of social-recreational dance over the past many years, it is easy to be concerned for that future.

But, in considering the history of performance-dance, and other dance-oriented activities, over that same time, it is instantly obvious that dance has not declined.  Dance has thrived and dynamically grown . 

And, for that reason alone, and for other reasons, it is clear that the world of social-recreational dance has awesome potential for the future. 

But it isn't going to happen by itself. We must choose to do what is needed to realize that great potential.