Registry Events are swing dance events organized and hosted by Professional Members of the WSDC and approved by its Board. Registry Events must meet standards set by the WSDC Board, demonstrating integrity and the highest ethical standards; sufficient event size, scope, and structure; and financial viability and stability. Registry Events offer a mix of social dancing, instruction, and competition, bringing together local, regional, national, and global dancers. 

While the ultimate responsibility to abide by the WSDC rules and maintain Registry Event status belongs to the Event Director/Owner, the event’s Chief Judge is an integral part of that process and has the responsibility to ensure the fairness and integrity of the contest, and that the event is following the WSDC Rules. All decisions are to be made with consideration of the best interests of the contest results, the competitors, the event staff, the audience, and the event.

Registry Events should follow the highest ethical standards regarding the conduct of contests. Conflicts of interest that impact the integrity of a contest – particularly where result / scores could be impacted – are strictly forbidden. Ethics and integrity requirements apply to all contests held at the event.

Conflicts of Interest. All conflicts of interest must be identified and avoided. This is the responsibility of Event Directors, Chief Judge, and judges.

Conflicts of interest are defined as the following: any Judge/ Chief Judge who is judging an immediate family member, current spouse / significant other, current dance partner, or current business partner (e.g., co-Owners, Event Co-Directors, teaching partners).

• The WSDC recommends staff members avoid real or perceived bias (positive or negative) between them and other members of the community but will enforce only conflicts of interest as defined above.

Judging assignments must be made to prevent conflicts. Judges / Chief Judges must recuse themselves from a judging panel to prevent conflict. The following exceptions are allowed:

• Pro-Am Jack and Jill and Pro-Am Strictly Swing competitions when judges are judging the Amateurs only and conflict is with the Pro.

• A judge with a conflict of interest to a competitor may judge the opposite role to that competitor during preliminary rounds.

• Self-judged Champions contests.

• When necessary for a specific contest, the Chief Judge may be replaced by the Secondary Chief Judge (see Definitions: Secondary Chief Judge).

Disregard of ethical standards. Registry Events should follow the highest ethical standards regarding the conduct of contests. Disregard of ethical standards, even if not specifically outlined in the Registry Event Rules, may result in penalties by the Board. Rules that affect the integrity of a contest – particularly where results / scores could be impacted – apply to all contests held at the event. All efforts must be made to conduct unbiased judging and to avoid any tampering with contests and contest results.