# International Dance Organization

The International Dance Organization (IDO) is an official, independent, politically neutral, non-profit, world dance and dance sport federation, registered in Slagelse, Denmark, for Performing Arts, Street Dance/Urban and Couple Dances. Members of the IDO are national dance federations; only non-profit organizations can join. Some of the biggest IDO competitions, running for more than a week, are World Dance Olympiad in Moscow in Spring and the World Show Dance and Tap Championships in Riesa in November and the World Ballet, Modern & Contemporary Dance and Jazz Dance Championships in Poland and Slovenia in December.

## History

IDO was founded on September 18, 1981, by four countries: France, Gibraltar, Italy and Switzerland. The founder and first General Secretary was Moreno Polidori from Italy.
Leading the IDO:
* IDO General Secretary Moreno Polidori, Italy (1981 – 1998)
Since 1998 the IDO is headed by the IDO President:
* Nils Hakan Carlzon, Sweden (1998 – 2008)
* Bill Fowler, USA (2008 – 2011)
* Jörn Storbraten, Norway (2011 – 2014)
* Michael Wendt, Germany (2014 - 2016)
* Doug Howe, UK (2016 - 2017)
* Michael Wendt, Germany (2017 - 2021)
* Prof. Velibor Srdic (2021 - 2022 acting president)
* Prof. Velibor Srdic (2022 - today)

## Structure

The IDO Executive Presidium (EPM) runs the daily business and consists of the President, the Senior Vice President and the Executive Secretary. The IDO Presidium consists of the EPM and 6 Vice Presidents with specific duties.
Nils Hakon Carlzon, Bill Fowler and Michael Wendt have been honoured as Honorary Lifetime Presidents.
The election of the Presidium takes place in a staggered system according to which the President, the Senior Vice President, the Executive Secretary/Treasurer and two (2) Vice Presidents (A, B) are elected in year 1, the four other Vice Presidents (C, D, E, F) are elected in year 3, each for a term of four (4) years. The three Department Directors, Performing Arts, Street Dance and Couple Dance, are elected every three years at their Annual Department Meeting (ADM) and also serve on the Presidium. Same for the elected chairpersons of the Continental Conferences.
The AGA is also responsible for all changes in the statutes and by-laws. The ADMs are responsible for the Dance Sport rules, which are ratified by the AGA. To enable the experts in each specific field to discuss their department matters at the level where the dancers are, IDO has installed the following committees and departments:
* Adjudication committee
* Disciplinary committee
* Education committee
* Couple Dance department
* Performing Arts department
* Street Dance department

### Worldwide memberships and structure

IDO has more than 90 member nations and contacts on all six continents, representing more than 250,000 dancers worldwide. To ensure growth and focus on existing intercontinental and new countries worldwide, the IDO has installed ambassadors to develop the IDO idea and structure. For example in
* Asia / Asia-Pacific - Michael Wendt, Germany,
* The Americas - Bonnie Dyer, Canada.
* Iberian peninsula - Seamus Byrne, Gibraltar
Besides running competitions and festivals, IDO established its Hall of Fame to honour dance celebrities, dancers and dance enthusiasts who have made significant contributions to IDO’s Dance World.
IDO also follows the anti-doping requirements requested.
IDO is affiliated to TAFISA and EUSA.

## Dance disciplines and competitions

Each year the IDO organizes World, Continental and Regional championships and cups in the IDO dance disciplines.

### Age divisions

* Mini Kids
* Children
* Junior I
* Junior II
* Adults
* Adult 2
* Seniors

### Categories

* Solo female
* Solo male
* Duo
* Couples
* Trio (Tap Dance only)
* Group/Team (3-7 dancers)
* Formation (8-24 dancers)

### Dance styles

PERFORMING ARTS DISCIPLINES
* Acrobatic Dance
* Ballet/Pointe
* Belly Dance/Oriental
* Bollywood
* Flamenco
* Folklore Dance
* Jazz Dance/Lyrical
* Modern Dance and Contemporary Dance
* Performing Arts Improvisation
* Show Dance
* Tap Dance
* Productions
STREET DANCE DISCIPLINES
* B-boying|Break Dance
* Electric Boogie/Popping
* Hip Hop
* Hip Hop Battles
* Disco Dance
* Disco Dance Freestyle
* Disco Dance Show
* Street Dance Show
* Productions
COUPLE DANCE DISCIPLINES
* Argentine Tango (Tango, Milonga, Tango Vals and Tango Fantasia)
* Bachata
* Caribbean Dances (Salsa, Merengue, Bachata)
* Caribbean Show
* Couple Dance Formations
* Hustle/Disco-Swing/Disco-Fox
* Jitterbug
* Latin Show
* Latin Style
* Merengue
* Salsa
* Salsa Rueda de Casino
* Synchro Dance
* West Coast Swing
* Productions