CODE OF CONDUCT - GLOBAL GRAND PRIX 2026​

 

The Global Grand Prix brings together dancers from different countries, generations, backgrounds and experiences around one shared passion: West Coast Swing.

Competition is part of our event. So are learning, creativity, social dancing, performance, friendship and celebration.

We want the GGP to be a place where people can challenge themselves while feeling welcome, respected and free to be themselves.

Creating that environment is not only the responsibility of the organization. Every person attending the GGP contributes to the experience of those around them.

These guidelines explain the values and standards we expect everyone to share throughout the event.

They apply to participants, competitors, professional staff, judges, teachers, DJs, performers, volunteers, vendors, guests and members of the organization.

 

1. EVERYONE HAS A PLACE ON OUR DANCE FLOOR

West Coast Swing connects people who may otherwise never have met.

At the GGP, we celebrate that diversity.

Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their:

• nationality or cultural background;

• race or ethnicity;

• gender or gender identity;

• sexual orientation;

• age;

• disability or physical ability;

• religion or beliefs;

• physical appearance;

• dance level;

• competitive status;

• preferred dance role;

• or personal circumstances.

Whether someone is attending their first WCS event or has been dancing professionally for decades, they deserve the same fundamental respect.

There is no place at the GGP for discrimination, bullying, humiliation, intimidation or behaviour intended to exclude or demean others.

 

2. YOUR DANCE, YOUR CHOICE

Social dancing is an invitation, not an obligation.

Anyone can invite someone to dance — and anyone can decline.

You are free to:

• dance as a Leader, Follower or Switch;

• choose who you dance with;

• decline a dance;

• stop a dance;

• ask for more space;

• ask for a movement to be changed;

• avoid movements you do not feel comfortable performing;

• or simply take a break.

A simple “no, thank you” is enough.

Nobody owes another person a dance, an explanation, physical contact or continued interaction.

Please receive both invitations and refusals gracefully.

If someone repeatedly declines your invitations, give them space rather than continuing to ask.

 

3. CONSENT CONTINUES THROUGHOUT AN INTERACTION

Agreeing to dance with someone does not mean agreeing to everything that might happen during that dance.

Connection, close positions, dips, drops, body contact, flirtatious interaction and other movements can feel very different from one person to another.

Pay attention to your partner.

When you are uncertain, ask.

If your partner asks you to change or stop something — verbally or through clear body language — respond immediately.

Consent can also change. Someone who was comfortable with something yesterday may not want it today.

And seeing someone dance or interact in a particular way with somebody else does not automatically give you permission to do the same.

 

4. MAKE THE FLOOR A GOOD PLACE TO BE

A great social floor depends on awareness as much as technique.

Adapt your dancing to the available space and to your partner.

When the floor is crowded, reduce the size and intensity of your movements. Avoid dangerous movements when there is insufficient space or when you are unsure of your partner's ability or comfort.

If you collide with another couple, acknowledge it.

If someone gets hurt, stop and make sure they are okay.

Social dancing should also remain social dancing. Unless someone asks for it, avoid turning a dance into an unsolicited lesson, critique or evaluation.

Everyone should be able to enjoy the floor without feeling judged.

 

5. RESPECT EXISTS BEYOND THE DANCE FLOOR

The same standards apply in workshops, hallways, hotel spaces, competition areas, parties, online interactions connected to the event and everywhere else our community comes together during the weekend.

We expect respectful interactions with:

• other participants;

• professional staff;

• competitors;

• volunteers;

• event organizers;

• photographers and videographers;

• vendors;

• and hotel employees.

Personal disagreements are sometimes unavoidable. Aggressive behaviour, threats, public humiliation, persistent unwanted attention, stalking or harassment are not.

Sexual harassment or unwanted sexual contact will not be tolerated.

Neither will discriminatory comments, deliberate intimidation, unwanted invasive photography or recording, or repeated behaviour that disregards another person's clearly expressed boundaries.

 

6. CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY

The GGP is also a celebration, and many people enjoy having a drink during the weekend.

Know your limits.

Alcohol or any other substance does not remove responsibility for your actions.

If someone's level of intoxication creates a safety issue, seriously disrupts the event or compromises the comfort of other participants, the organization may intervene.

Illegal substances and illegal activities are not permitted within the event.

 

7. COMPETE WITH CLASS

Competition should inspire us to become better dancers — not worse community members.

Celebrate your achievements and respect those of others.

Competitors are expected to treat their partners, fellow competitors, judges, MCs, scrutineers, volunteers and contest staff respectfully, regardless of results.

Disappointment is understandable. Disrespectful behaviour towards another competitor or an official is not.

Competition results should never become an excuse for personal attacks, intimidation or harassment.

Winning with grace matters.

Losing with grace matters too.

 

8. PROFESSIONAL STATUS COMES WITH RESPONSIBILITY

Professional staff help define the culture of an event.

Teachers, judges, DJs, performers, MCs and other invited professionals are therefore expected to demonstrate the standards of behaviour we want to see throughout the GGP.

Professional recognition can create influence.

That influence should never be used to pressure another person into purchasing services, taking private lessons, providing professional opportunities, entering a romantic or sexual interaction, or doing anything they would otherwise prefer not to do.

When there is an imbalance of professional authority, extra attention should be given to ensuring that consent is genuinely voluntary.

Our professionals are not expected to be perfect.

They are expected to act with integrity, awareness and responsibility.

 

9. FAIRNESS BEHIND THE RESULTS

The credibility of our competitions depends on the integrity of everyone involved.

Judges should approach every assignment professionally and independently.

While judging, they are expected to remain focused, impartial and unimpaired.

Any personal or professional relationship that could reasonably create a significant conflict of interest should be brought to the attention of the Chief Judge.

Competition information, scores and placements should be treated appropriately and not disclosed before official publication.

The Chief Judge and Event Direction may make adjustments to judging panels whenever necessary to protect the fairness or perceived fairness of a competition.

 

10. PROTECTING OUR YOUNGER DANCERS

We are proud to welcome younger generations into West Coast Swing.

Minors participating in the GGP deserve an environment where they can learn, compete, socialize and grow safely.

Adults interacting with minors must maintain appropriate boundaries at all times.

Professional staff in particular should remain conscious of the trust and influence associated with their position.

Any concern involving the safety or wellbeing of a minor will be treated as a serious matter by the organization.

 

11. IF SOMETHING DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT, TALK TO US

Not every uncomfortable situation is easy to categorize.

You do not need to know whether something technically constitutes "harassment" or a violation before approaching us.

If something happened to you, if you witnessed something concerning, or if you are worried about another participant, you can talk to us.

The GGP will designate members of the organization who can receive concerns during the event.

You may contact us:

In person:
GGP Registration Desk or a designated Safety Contact
By email: director@globalgrandprixsdc.com

​

You may also approach a member of the organization and ask to speak privately.

We will listen before making assumptions.

Reports will be handled with discretion, and information will only be shared when reasonably necessary to assess the situation, protect someone's safety, meet legal obligations or determine an appropriate response.

When possible, we will also consider what the person raising the concern would like to happen next.

 

12. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, YOU CAN HELP

Community safety does not require everyone to become an investigator.

Sometimes helping simply means noticing.

If someone appears uncomfortable, you can check whether they are okay.

You can stay with someone who does not want to be alone.

You can help them find their friends.

You can contact event staff.

You can report something you witnessed.

Do not put yourself in danger or escalate a situation unnecessarily. In urgent situations, contact event staff, hotel security or the appropriate emergency services.

Small actions can make a meaningful difference.

 

13. HOW THE GGP MAY RESPOND

When a concern is brought to us, our priority is to understand what happened and determine an appropriate response.

There is no single response that fits every situation.

Depending on the circumstances and seriousness of the behaviour, the GGP may:

• speak privately with the people involved;

• clarify expectations or boundaries;

• issue a warning;

• restrict participation in particular activities;

• change or remove a professional assignment;

• disqualify someone from a competition;

• require someone to leave the event;

• refuse future participation in the Global Grand Prix;

• involve venue security;

• or contact the appropriate authorities when necessary.

Serious situations may require immediate action without a previous warning.

Being a competitor, professional, volunteer, organizer, sponsor or long-standing member of the community does not place anyone above these standards.

 

14. REPORTING SHOULD NEVER CREATE ANOTHER PROBLEM

Nobody should be punished, threatened, intimidated or socially targeted because they raised a genuine concern, supported another person or participated in the review of an incident.

Retaliation may itself be treated as a violation of these guidelines.

At the same time, we expect reports to be made sincerely. Intentionally providing false information for the purpose of harming another person is also inconsistent with the values of our community.

 

15. THE CULTURE WE WANT TO CREATE

Rules alone do not create a great event.

People do.

So throughout the Global Grand Prix, we invite you to help us build the kind of dance community we want to belong to:

Invite without expectation.

Accept a “no” with grace.

Pay attention to your partner.

Give people space when they need it.

Dance safely.

Compete with integrity.

Use influence responsibly.

Celebrate other people's successes.

Look after one another.

Speak when something matters.

​

And above all:

Leave the dance floor, and the community, better than you found it.

Welcome to the Global Grand Prix.