This is A LOT of information but should answer most questions for paid workshop leaders and potential paid workshop leaders about what to expect at PoleCon for paid workshop leaders. If you have any questions, please email PoleCon.
*this page last updated August 6, 2024*
Before PoleCon
There are several required and optional things you can do as a paid workshop to ensure your time at PoleCon is smooth. Most required items (contract signed, insurance, CPR/AED certification) are due a month (or more) in advance of PoleCon.
Applying to be a Paid Workshop Leader
For every PoleCon event, you will apply to be a paid workshop leader using a Google Form. Review that event’s form for deadlines.
Paid Workshop Leader Applicants must upload or link to a “menu” or list of workshops with:
- Title
- Workshop description
- Level (“All Levels” is no longer acceptable, please read level detail at this blog),
- Prerequisite moves required to be successful in your workshop
- Required clothing or equipment for the class.
Applicants may also specify which workshop(s) they prefer to teach in the “Anything else you’d like to include” section of the Google form.
Paid Applicant Selection Process
At PoleCon, we always look for Paid Workshop Leaders that represent the diverse styles and bodies in our community. We also look for what is popular right now in our community which changes regularly.
Paid Workshop Leaders should have a unique offering or cater to a specific demographic. Paid Workshop Leaders should also be marketable which means you have a social media or other demonstrated marketing following of some sort on some platform. Please note, having a large social media following does not automatically mean you will be chosen just as a small social media following does not mean you will not be chosen.
Winning awards/having titles can positively impact your chances of being selected but is not a guarantee.
Holding many certifications for teaching as well as years of experience are also factors but not the only factors in the selection process.
PoleCon is always looking for diversity in all ways that can be expressed to be represented in the Paid Workshop Leaders including but not limited to: previous PoleCon experience (new and returning teachers are welcome),gender, racial identity, sexuality, nationality, body size, level/ability, prior or current career. Strippers and sex workers are explicitly welcome to apply to teach and have successful taught at PoleCon in the past.
All types of Paid Workshop Leaders teaching all types have workshops have been successful at PoleCon.
If Selected to Teach Paid Workshop(s) at PoleCon
Contract
You will be sent an email stating you have been accepted to teach workshop(s) with a link to a Google form that will serve as your legal contract. The contract will detail how you are to be paid (electronically with rate details below) and when (5 days after PoleCon ends). It will also collect proof of your insurance and CPR/AED certification.
Applicants will be given 1-3 workshops and the opportunity to teach privates (depending on the event, if privates are offered).
Compensation
Compensation is the same for all Paid Workshop Leaders per workshop.
As of 2024, attendees pay $70 for non-pole workshops and $95 for pole workshops. There is a 60/40 split (40 to PoleCon) paid per person who attends (checks in) during your workshop at PoleCon based on the cost attendees pay per workshop.
- 60% per person of a non-pole workshop = $42 to the workshop leader
- 60% per person of a pole workshop = $57 to the workshop leader
There is a maximum of 32 people per non-pole and for 22 per pole (2 people per 11 poles) workshop.
This means that per workshop, you the Paid Workshop Leader could make:
- (Minimum non-pole) $42 – (Maximum non-pole) $1344
- (Minimum pole) $57 – (Maximum pole) $1254
There are no minimum guarantees for workshops.
All Paid Workshop Leaders also receive a Weekend Pass to PoleCon which includes: lunch Friday and Saturday + Breakfast on Sunday.
As of 2024, Privates/semi-private lessons are available (privates are not available for all PoleCon events in 2025) for the following scale : 1 Person 60 min $130 total cost to attendee: $105 to artist; $25 PoleCon. 2 People 60 min $190 total cost to attendee: $165 to artist; $25 to PoleCon
Advertising
PoleCon will advertise your workshop(s) and does not require you to advertise. Advertising however does help your workshop attendance to increase.
Insurance* Required
You must provide a certificate of teacher liability insurance listing International Pole Industry Association, Inc. 6601 Wilburn Drive, Capitol Heights MD 20734 as an “additional insured.” Typically this is no cost with your existing teacher liability insurance.
If you are an international person, please contact us with questions.
PoleCon maintains event insurance, this is an extra layer of protection that is common in the US.
Please provide proof of insurance not later than one month before the event. *If you are also an exhibitor, the insurance you provide for being an exhibitor also covers the insurance requirement for being an instructor.*
CPR/AED Certification* Required
As of 2024, PoleCon requires all Paid Workshop Leaders have a current CPR/AED certification to provide proof of certification prior to event start.
Emergency Contact* Required
Everyone who enters PoleCon agrees by default to our liability waiver and model release. If you purchase workshops you will have done this via WellnessLiving. If you have not seen it, it is here: https://forms.gle/r9ntBDkpAjWjBazW9
Please provide an emergency contact number (in WellnessLiving if you have purchased workshops), just in case, by filling out that form (if you have not made an account in WellnessLiving). We do have at least one medic at the stage for the duration of PoleCon.
Travel
PoleCon organizes discounted room blocks at the host hotel and potentially other local hotels. Check the venue section of the website for all links.
PoleCon does not pay for any travel related costs for Paid Workshop Leaders.
At PoleCon
At PoleCon, we expect 1,250-1,500 people to attend during the weekend.
Many workshops, but not all, will sell out.
Many workshops are sold during the convention.
There is no waitlist function for workshops (2024 events onward).
Wrist Band
Everyone receives a wrist band for the weekend. It is vinyl, you can shower in it. Please do not take it off, you can specify which wrist to put it on. If you have a latex allergy, please tell me in person. Lost or intentionally removed wrist bands may incur a $100 fee.
Food
Paid Workshop Leaders receive lunch Friday, lunch Saturday and breakfast Sunday as part of having a Weekend Pass to PoleCon.
The menu will be published about a month before the event. There is a gluten free/vegan option.
Schedule
Full workshop schedule will be provided 3-4 months in advance of a PoleCon event.
Equipment and Safety
All workshop poles are XStages 45 mm chrome (not lites). There are 12 stage poles in the pole rooms — 11 for attendees and 1 for the Paid Workshop Leader.
There are no poles in the non-pole workshop rooms.
Alcohol and paper towels are provided in all pole rooms to clean the poles.
Chairs can be available in the non-pole workshop rooms. Please specify if you need chairs and what type of chairs.
Please bring your own phone/music device and any adapters necessary to connect to a male-end AUX cable.
Bring your own yoga mat (if needed).
All stage poles will be checked for safety at least once daily during PoleCon. A pole technician is available at all times.
Medics are available at the main stage and are contactable via walkie-talkie.
AED is onsite with PoleCon Medics and they know how to use it.
Use Gender Neutral Terms
All Paid Workshop Leaders agree to use gender-neutral terms when addressing their workshop attendees.
Read more about this including suggestions for terms to use at this link.
Take a Photo During Your Class
Photo is used in payment confirmation process outlined below and in your contract. There is 15 minutes between workshops but many people book workshops back to back so end a few minutes early to allow for time to take the photo.
After PoleCon
Payment
After PoleCon event conclusion (within 2 days), PoleCon will send the Paid Workshop Leader an email with the exact counts of who showed up to your workshop.
Paid Workshop Leader either agrees or provides a different number with a photograph and or explanation (i.e., 16th attendee left early and did not stay for photograph).
Volunteers check people into workshops and they do the best job they can and sometimes they miss attendees, people come in late, or the wifi/tablet does not function correctly.
We do this process because sometimes people who do not attend workshops do charge backs.
Within 5 days of PoleCon concluding (this time may be delayed if Paid Workshop Leader does not respond quickly to email), Paid Workshop Leader will be paid electronically using the method specified in the contract.
*Paid workshop leaders may send the photo immediately after conclusion of workshop to speed up payment confirmation process.*