Dear reader,

We write to you to clear up some misstatements that are making their way through our community. We have recently received emails and seen  comments on the web that are, at best, misleading and, at worst, intentionally hurtful  regarding us individually, the USPDF,  and its involvement in the cancelled workshops at Body and Pole. Although many of these statements seem to be personal attacks -  we are responding as the USPDF.

We have spent the last 18 months creating the foremost governing body for the art and sport of pole dancing - the USPDF - we are proud of what we have accomplished.  Our over arcing goal is to grow and enforce the credibility of pole dancing.

Unfortunately, Body and Pole and its owner (collectively "BP") have undermined our efforts. BP has used the USPDF name to personally profit  -  promoting BP workshops as USPDF sanctioned events. The USPDF has neither sanctioned nor approved BP events.   The USPDF invites all types of pole dance events to apply to become sanctioned events - sanctioned events ensure the quality and integrity of the events are maintained for the benefit of pole dancing. BP has refused to apply to have their events sanctioned.    In this particular situation BP used the USPDF name without consent to promote their workshops - that is something we can not condone.  To use the USPDF name without consent puts us, the USPDF,  its members, and the pole dance community  in an uncompromising situation.  

The  USPDF asked instructors participating in the USPDF Championship weekend - March 18-20 - to choose whether they wanted to participate in sanctioned or non-sanctioned events during the weekend. Clearly, any choice does not effect an instructor's right to participate in the championship.   

There were many opportunities for BP to reach a resolution with the USPDF- which would benefit both parties and the pole dance community at large. Instead, BP chose  a confrontational approach, sending a lawyer letter and spreading misinformation about the USPDF. At this point,  we believe members of our community are unfairly judging the USPDF,  based on rumors and false information, which is why we find it important to write this letter.

We appreciate your support and loyalty.

Thank you,

-Anna and Wendy  
Founders of the USPDF