Embassy ball was created in 1980 by Brian and Kristi McDonald along with co-founders John Kimmins and Sam Sodano. Since it's inception the competition has grown to become one of the largest international events in the United States. As expected, this years' competition will host the best of the best in competition as well as top name vendors and cash prizes. We've provided some insight into what spectators and competitors can expect from this years 37th annual Embassy Ballroom Championships.

Prize Money

OPEN PROFESSIONAL BALLROOM AND LATIN - OPEN WORLD RHYTHM AND SMOOTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

1st $2,500 2nd $1800 3rd $1,200 4th $600 5th $500 6th $400

AMATEUR UNDER 21 BALLROOM & LATIN

1ST $200 2ND $100 3RD $75

YOUTH & JUNIOR SCHOLARSHIPS

1ST $100 2nd$75 3rd $50

EMBASSY PROFESSIONAL RISING STAR

Ballroom, Latin, Rhythm, Smooth
1st $500 2nd $400 3rd $300 4th $200 5th $150 6th $100

WORLD OPEN PRO AM CHAMPIONSHIPS

1st $500 2nd $400 3rd $300 4th $200 5th $100 6th$75

WORLD CLOSED PRO AM CHAMPIONSHIPS

1st $250 2nd $150 3rd $ 100 4 thru 6 $75-$50-$50 Vouchers

WORLD PRO-AM DANCE SPORT SERIES AWARDS

Top 20 Students = Vouchers

AMATEUR BALLROOM & LATIN CHAMPIONSHIPS

1ST $500 2ND $400 3RD $300 4TH $200 5TH $150 6TH $100

The Vendors

Dancewear - Shoes - Dresses - Practice Wear
Doré Designs
Designs To Shine
Champion Dance Shoes
Jeravae
Miari
Atelier Elle - by Marek
Star Dance Shop

Jewelry and Accessories

Lori Lori Jewelry
Dan Zann

Hair, Makeup and Massage

Boyko
The Winning Look
Competition Hair and Makeup
Hair and Makeup by Olga
Mosaic Ballroom Artist
Edson Therapeutic & Sports Massage

Local Attractions

South Coast Plaza Mall

South Coast Plaza defines the luxury shopping experience with extraordinary boutiques, personal shopping service, and upscale amenities all within a short distance of the world's most magnificent vacation resorts. South Coast Plaza is recognized internationally for its unparalleled retail collection and award-winning restaurants.

Disneyland

The original Disneyland® Park is where it all began. It's possible that only Walt Disney truly knew the potential of his theme park when it opened in 1955. For more than 55 years, Disneyland® Park has appealed to the world as "The Happiest Place on Earth," an enchanted kingdom of fantasy and imagination filled with more than 60 adventures and attractions across eight themed lands. Adventureland, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Main Street, U.S.A, Mickey's Toontown, New Orleans Square and Tomorrowland are destinations in their own right with rides and attractions, shops, restaurants and live entertainment.

Knotts Berry Farm

From its humble beginnings as a 20-acre farm in the 1920s, Knott's Berry Farm® Theme Park has grown into a 160-acre thrill-seeker haven. As "America's 1st Theme Park," Knott's Berry Farm® Theme park is home of the world's original looping coaster. With six theme areas, Ghost Town, Camp Snoopy, Fiesta Village, the Boardwalk, Wild Water Wilderness and Indian Trails, Knott's has something for everyone.

After a full day, refuel at the famous Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant. The Depression-era restaurant began with just eight tables serving 65-cent chicken dinners. Today, the Chicken Dinner Restaurant seats more than 900 guests at a time, serves more than 1.5 million guests each year, and is the largest full-service restaurant that serves chicken as its main course.

Universal Studios Hollywood

When you mix movie making magic with the thrills of an amusement park you get Universal Studios® Hollywood. Universal Studios® Hollywood is first and foremost a movie studio. You can visit the world of moviemaking on a studio tour and see actual movie sets from many memorable films. The thrill rides are becoming more masive and elaborate as you try to escape the jaws of a ferocious T-Rex on Jurassic Park -- The Ride, and immerse yourself in a robotic cyber war on Terminator 2: 3D. The Universal Studios Tour started in 1964 as a simple ride around the area but today it's a full-fledged 50 minute ride that stops at different stages and showcases many props used in filming.

Newport Beach

Newport Beach is filled with miles of sandy beaches, the largest small craft yacht harbor in the United States, championship golf courses and a variety of aquatic recreational activities, from kayaking in the Newport Back Bay to relaxing on a chartered harbor cruise.

Balboa Penninsula, a small community nestled inside Newport Harbor, features coastal cottages, quaint shops, and ice cream stands. Pennisula Park ishome to Balboa Pier and Balboa Pavillion, a historical landmark with a restaurant and ballroom and ferry service to Catalina Island.

Laguna Beach

This seaside community was discovered by a group of landscape painters in the 1920s and quickly became a destination of choice for the artistically inclined. With posh hillside mansions and, trendy shopping areas and a rugged coastline of cliffs leading to secluded sandy beaches, it's a great place to discover hidden gems and relax in a low-key setting.

Laguna is the perfect location to explore on foot. Boutiques, art galleries and sidewalk cafés line the downtown streets. Historic Main Beach features a vintage lifeguard tower overlooking an idyllic shore with volleyball nets, basketball courts and a meandering boardwalk.

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