350 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215
USA
The dance standard each year is very high from newcomer to advance in pro/am and amateur, and it is where you can see all the top professional competitors in North America competing. No wonder the Ohio Star Ball has been called “The Best of the Best in Dancesport Competition.”
The Ohio Star Ball will be held at the Columbus Convention Center, and the adjoining Hyatt Regency Columbus hotel. This is in downtown Columbus,
just north of the State Capital Building and just south of the Ohio State
University. It is also right next to an area called the Short North,
which is an area rich in restaurants, shops, and other businesses. A good
resource for fine dining in Columbus can be found at the Dine Originals
Columbus web site. Please check this web site out for great places to eat in
Columbus.
For the Friday and Saturday Ohio Star Ball events, the newly
renovated Battelle Grand Ballroom will be used. This is in addition to the
Regency Ballroom, the Grand Ballroom (for the college competitions), and other
areas that are used for events during the week. The Battelle Grand Ballroom is now one of the
largest ballrooms in the midwest. The images above and to right show the
dramatic new glass wall that is part of this new ballroom. We are looking
forward to using this fantastic venue in 2013 and for future Ohio Star Ball
competitions.
The hotels that are used for our package customers are the
Hyatt Regency Columbus and the adjacent Drury Inn Hotel. The other recommended hotels
are the Red Roof Inn, the Crowne Plaza, and the downtown Hilton hotels. For these last 3
hotels, please mention that you are with the Ohio Star Ball in order to receive
a discounted rate (discount availability may be limited). For a list of other
available hotels in the downtown Columbus area, please click ->HERE<-.
If you are flying in to the
Columbus Airport, access to the downtown is a short 10
minute drive from the airport. If you are driving, please click ->HERE<- to view a map of the venue location
in Columbus and to request driving instructions.
As far as the layout of
the Columbus Convention Center, you can use the following links (please click)
to view the Interior Layout of the Columbus Convention
Center, and the Meeting Room Areas where many of the vendors and other
functions/events will be located. Once you arrive at the Columbus Convention
Center, you should check into the Registration Desk, which is located in the
third floor Regency Foyer area of the Convention Center, right next to the
adjacent Hyatt hotel. Please refer to the program schedule on the Schedule Page or your official Ohio Star Ball
program to determine the location of the different Ohio Star Ball dance events
for each particular day.
We hope the information provided here will be
helpful in your travels to and from Columbus area and during your stay while at
the Ohio Star Ball.
History in the Making
The Ohio Star Ball began as a one day showcase 35 years ago, under the direction
of Sam Sodano. With equal amounts of creativity, courage and perseverance, Sam
has developed this Championship into the largest Pro/Am competition, not only in
North America, but in the world today. When you arrive in Columbus, look up and
down the main street. Flags posted by the Columbus Convention Bureau announce
this Championship as a major city convention.
From its inception, the
philosophy of the Ohio Star Ball has not changed. Competition is limited to one
age and two consecutive levels, the venue is comfortable, the atmosphere
familiar and friendly, and the event offers something for everyone, from the
earliest beginner to the most advanced dancer of any age or level. The Ohio Star
Ball of today is now a 6 day event with 70 Judges, 3 Chairmen, 3 Emcee’s, 7
Scrutineers, 2 Deejays, 9 Deck Captains and a 300+ page program! With a minimum
of 24 competitors in some single age categories with first rounds and quarter
finals, the OSB Team runs this event like a well oiled machine with an on time
schedule you can set your watch by. Scholarship divisions are the best attended
in the nation, with prize money provided in all Pro/Am, Amateur and Junior
Divisions by both visible and anonymous patrons. And if you’re dancing for
points or national ranking, the Ohio Star Ball is not only the grand finale of
the DanceSport Series, but is also a member of Dancers Cup Tour and the Global
Spectrum event.
Move out of the Regency Ballroom and visit the lower
level of the Hyatt Convention Center and you will discover the United States
National Collegiate Championships, hosting collegiate ballroom competitors from
47 different colleges and universities. Step into the Battelle Hall Arena to
watch the Amateur and Junior competitors dancing by day, and the Open
Professional Competitors dancing on Friday and Saturday night. If you are in the
mood for a more sport oriented event, then grab some thunder sticks and cheer on
your Regional Team for the World Pro/Am Team Match on Thursday
night.
Tired of being on the sidelines? Want to learn some of the great
dance techniques you’ve seen? No problem! Attend the Ohio Star Ball Dance Camp
and learn the latest from an outstanding teaching faculty of Top Coaches and
Professionals in the industry today. Need some new shoes, dance wear or other
paraphernalia? Go to Level 2 and shop ‘til you drop! With over 40 vendors
present, you had better bring an empty suitcase with you! And while you’re
spending, your earning chances to win 2 double packages at the official OSB
Raffle.
How do you keep track of all this activity? The OSB Team keeps
you informed with the Ohio Star Ball Newsletter, which you will find under your
door every morning. The Newsletter will recap the results of the previous day’s
events, let you know what’s coming up on the schedule, and even give you the
dinner menu selected for that night! And while you’re in your room, tune in to
Channel 12 and watch “Championship Ballroom Dancing”! With shows dating all the
way back to 1984, you’ll get to watch many of today’s Judges and Officials in
their competitive days. Its non-stop dancing 24/7!
The Ohio Star Ball invites dancers, judges, teachers and friends
to join us for our 36th Annual celebration with plenty of dance action!!