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Updates to PoleCon 2027

It’s been a very busy two years running two PoleCon events!

PoleCon: West 2025 and 2026 gave us the opportunity to try new things and bring new panels and showcases to the community. <3

Now that we are focusing on one event in 2027, we will be merging showcases and panels that existed at both events and making a few other changes.

Showcases

There will be some major updates to the showcases to blend showcases from PoleCon: West into the PoleCon 2027 event.

First, the removal or decrease changes to the regular PoleCon lineup:

  • We are removing the Youth Showcase. Under 18 performers are welcome to apply and perform in every showcase EXCEPT Sexy that their parent/guardian believes is appropriate for their individual child/individual situation.  Youth attendees and performers must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.
  • We are also removing the PowerFlow and FlexyFlow We encourage these performers to bring their powerful, flexible, and flow-based performances to other showcases.
  • Troupes and Groups Showcase has been shortened to accommodate new showcases and less performers will be accepted in that showcase. Troupes/Groups/Trios/Duets are welcome in every showcase and should apply to multiple showcases as relevant.

Additions to the line-up. We are bringing several popular demographic and stylistic themed showcases to the 2027 event:

  • AAPI Polers United: This showcase created and curated by Natasha Wang celebrates the Asian American and Pacific Islander polers.
  • CosPole Fusion: the intersection of CosPlay and pole dancing. Curated by new curator Alicia Rubi from the originator Jiggly Senpai.
  • Moms Who Pole: named after the podcast and intellectual property of California Andrea who continues to curate. This showcase is for all those that identify as caretakers—of all genders—who nurture all “babies” – human, fur, plant, pole, etc.
  • OG showcase: PoleCon curators are asked to prioritize new performers, the OG showcase is the only showcase that is 100% repeat performers. This was the idea of Jordan Kensley who curated the PoleCon: West 2025 and 2026 showcases. She will continue to curate.

One showcase will have two curators as the curation application process came out before the decision not to hold a PoleCon: West 2027 was made.

There are samples of all previous PoleCon performances on our YouTube.

There is detailed information including some updated rules on the performer page. If you are applying, please review these updates.

>>The most important is that any performer who touches the truss (the metal structure the poles are attached to) will immediately have their music shut off and be asked to leave the event. Touching the truss is a very serious safety issue. The truss is not cleaned and could have dirt, grease, or other debris that could not only impact the performance of the performer touching the truss but future performers. In 2026 – despite not touching the truss being a rule for YEARS — we had one performer touch the truss in each event which has never happened before. We take safety concerns very serious at PoleCon and are making this very clear consequence (which did not previously exist) so that no one touches the truss in the future.

Applications to perform are available now. Please read all instructions, requirements, and expectations (including financial) before you apply.

Panels

For PoleCon 2027 we will host four panels.

No panels will be removed but several will be combined:

  • Pole Business: This panel will focus on the business side of pole, those who are looking to start a business or to grow their business. It was launched in 2023 during Virtual PoleCon and was live at PoleCon: West for 2025 and 2026.
  • Pole Safety: This panel will focus on safety issues in pole. It was launched in 2023 during Virtual PoleCon and was live at PoleCon: West for 2025 and 2026.
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Pole: This panel was previously held during the Virtual PoleCon events in 2023 and 2024. It combines the Queer Panel, Plus Size Panel, and Race and Cultural Appropriation Panels. This is also a panel for those that have apparent or non-apparent disabilities to participate in.
  • Strippers and SWers: This panel, first created in 2016, will continue.

More information on the history of panels hosted at live and virtual PoleCon events is in this blog.

Applications for panelists are available now. Please read all instructions, requirements, and expectations (including financial) before you apply.

Livestream

We successfully ran a pay-for livestream during PoleCon: West 2026.

Unfortunately, the first showcase had a sound issue that was quickly fixed for the second showcase and all persons who requested a refund were refunded. We will be reviewing costs and structure for the livestream for the 2027 but will be running a pay-for livestream again because continued censorship through YouTube cut the stream several times during PoleCon 2026. Our goal is to continue to have an affordable option for people to participate in the event who are unable to attend in person.

Food

The hotel has promised us new food options! Hopefully better. Fingers crossed. More info in the spring on the food options. We know that food has been a consistent issue particularly for those who have food allergies or sensitivities and for our vegan friends. We will continue to work with the hotel for “deconstructed” options so you can pick what you eat and consistent labeling. Unfortunately, if we did not provide food the price point would be the same, so we prefer to provide food options. (More information on that is available here.)

Other Updates

There will be no price increases this year. We understand that everything is expensive – it is for us too, some of the vendors that we use to run the event have literally tripled in price from 3 years ago—and we want to keep everything as affordable as we can.

Applications for free and paid workshops, panelists, vendors, performers, panelists, are all available now!

Thank you for being a part of PoleCon!

Colleen
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