fbpx
info@poleconvention.com
Blog
PoleCon West 2-26 Header Image

PoleCon: West 2026 Updates from the Survey

Thank you to everyone who took our survey! We read every response. <3

This blog addresses some common themes and links to previously addressed issues. Because this was the second PoleCon: West at a different location from the first West, some issues may never come up exactly again AND we will still try to learn from them.

GENERALLY people liked the West option!

“AZ was BEAUTIFUL and I soaked up as much of the blistering heat as I could but my favorite thing was the pool! Hanging out poolside in the evening was such a good vibe and the perfect ending to perfect days! The hotel as a whole was lovely and staff was super accommodating!

“LOVED having a pool on-site for before/after PoleCon activities!”

“I’m so happy I got to attend! Learned a lot, connected with the community and had a great time. Venue was great, easy peasy. Love the PHX location as it’s easy to get to from LA 🙂 and is just an overall easy city to get around, etc.”

“The venue was great. The hotel and rooms were clean. The PoleCon area was set up easily to navigate. I like the smaller feel of PoleCon west. The main PoleCon feels too big and overwhelming.”

This year only ~10% of attendees took the survey. Which is only 1% higher than those that took the survey for PoleCon 2026 AND we know does not represent everyone’s opinions or thoughts. <3

There didn’t seem to be one theme this year in the survey, just more of the same general concerns which I will address below.

1. Expensive – Yes, the event is expensive. We’ve written about it before so that you can be prepared (please note, some costs have gone up since this blog was published).

We understand this event is expensive. It’s still cheaper than many fitness conventions or professional conventions and while some people appreciate the food and some hate it, the value of what you get for a PoleCon pass is often more than many other conventions.

To try and keep PoleCon affordable(ish) for all involved, prices will adjust slowly on different elements of the convention. There will be no price increases for 2027.

2. Workshop leaders and workshops.

A lot of you really liked the workshop leaders but if you have specific instructors you’d like to see teach, please HAVE THEM APPLY.

Applications for PoleCon 2027 will be available in October 2026. We ENCOURAGE all workshop leaders to be VERY VERY CLEAR what their workshops entail so that you know what to expect.

3. The Food.

Every year the food is a challenge. The hotel says they will label the food and then they don’t. As someone with chronic health issues and food sensitivities, I understand how important this is and am consistently frustrated and disappointed with the food options at every hotel I’ve ever worked with.

We did move from a lunch box to a deconstructed option (this was feedback from West 2025 when there were also food labeling issues). It did not seem to help as much as hoped.

Also, as explained in detail under the “Food” section in last year’s blog, the ticket price would be THE SAME without food because hotels charge you for rental or food. This is unfortunately how it works with large hotels. I am working with them to improve the food however if I remove the food, you will still have to pay the same price.

Showcases

Many people loved the diversity and the new(er) showcases!

“No feedback, I’m always in awe of all of the performers and love getting to watch!”

“MORE MORE MORE MORE DANCERS!”

“I wish groups and troops had more groups and troops and not just duos.”

“Loved the variety of performances and performers.”

Some people noted there were less performers, more breaks, and more people listed to perform who did not actually perform.  – you are correct! In previous years when PoleCon moved around, studios reached out to us to be more involved and this year that did not happen (again, same as last year). Studios contribute most heavily to the troupes and groups showcase. Also, there were less applicants this year, which was a trend last year for West 2025. Several people also backed out relatively last minute, some as late as the night before. There is no penalty from backing out of PoleCon. We understand that health stuff happens, finances happen, life happens. It is still frustrating because if someone was able to (and to be clear, we know that they are not always able to) cancel earlier than we have alternates that could perform instead. Regardless, if you want more performers, please apply and/or encourage other folks to apply too!

Moving Forward

Unfortunately, PoleCon: West 2026 shrunk from 2025 to 2026. We did a better job of controlling costs (suburban Phoenix was a more affordable location than downtown Denver!) but the attendees did not show up. It’s unfortunate because we know that the people who did come had fun and that having more non-competitive opportunities to gather is helpful to both the industry side and the community side of pole dancing.

There will be no PoleCon: West in 2027.

We will focus entirely on the 2027 east coast event held for the 5th year in a row at the Live! Hotel and Casino Maryland, the weekend after Memorial Day. We will be blending some of the showcases and panels from West into the East coast event. Another blog will be published to explain those updates.

West may come back in the future but right now, we cannot commit to a timeline. It is a challenging time right now for many of us financially. As a small business owner, I very much appreciate that you spend your money at PoleCon, with the PoleCon workshop leaders, and with all the PoleCon vendors!

 

“I’m so grateful for everyone and all the time, effort, money, etc that is spent in order to give our community this unique and beautiful event!”

“I hope that PoleCon: West can return in the future!”

Colleen
Follow me
Latest posts by Colleen (see all)

Related Posts

Back To Top