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 - 2017) Doug Howe, England (2018) Michael Wendt, Germany (2019 - 2020) Prof. Velibor Srdic (2020 - 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)