Dear California Chic Classic supporters,

Heather and I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for being part of the California Chic Classic 2026. Your energy, passion, and dedication once again made this event truly unforgettable.

We were incredibly proud to welcome over 2,000 entries this year—a remarkable milestone that reflects the continued growth and strength of our dance community. Watching the California Chic Classic evolve year after year is both humbling and inspiring, and it is all thanks to you.

From 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, the ballroom was alive with music, excitement, and the beauty of dance. We were especially thrilled to see continued growth in our Nightclub categories—the energy and enthusiasm in these styles truly showcased how vibrant and diverse our community has become.

This year, we were beyond excited to see our Gala Dinner Dance completely sold out. It was incredibly rewarding to hear how much our guests loved the program we created—an evening filled with elegance, celebration, and many outstanding professional show dance performances that made the night truly magical.

We would also like to extend a huge thank you to Craig Smith and his company, Dance Production House, who partnered with us for the first time this year and truly elevated the entire look and feel of our event. From the professional dance floor, to the beautiful LED screen, stunning lighting, and elegant décor, every detail was thoughtfully executed. Craig and his team were incredibly attentive and detail-oriented, and it was a true pleasure working with them.

This event would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our incredible officials and team. A very special thank you to:

• Maria Hansen, our Chairwoman, for her leadership and for keeping the competition running smoothly and on time

• Ashley Campos, our Registrar, for the countless hours spent assembling and perfecting the program

• Melissa, Lisa, and Laura, our Front Desk team, for providing exceptional customer service throughout the event

• Kris Suakjan, our MC, for keeping the energy high and the ballroom engaged all day long

• Paul Hermanson, for doing an excellent job as both Head of our Awards Center and MC, keeping everything flowing smoothly and professionally

• Kenneth Kuo, our Scrutineer, for ensuring accuracy and precision in every result

• Yolanda Vargas, our On-Deck Captain, for keeping everyone organized and ready

• Karen Hermanson, our Awards Center Captain, for her attention to detail, care, and dedication

• Gitte Svendsen, for joining Karen in the Awards Center and helping make awards presentations seamless and joyful

• Jessica Ramirez, for being an outstanding assistant throughout the entire day—your help and reliability made such a difference

• Roland Kyle, my kids Michael and Angelina, and my wife Alla, for assisting with countless behind-the-scenes tasks

• Courtney, Heather’s daughter, for managing our social media with creativity and flair

• Andrew, Heather’s nephew, for bringing joy to the floor by dancing with guests

And of course, our deepest thanks to all of our judges, who dedicated their time, expertise, and professionalism to ensure a fair, inspiring, and memorable competition.

Once again, thank you for being part of the California Chic Classic. You are the reason this event is so special, and we cannot wait to welcome you back next year for even more unforgettable moments on the dance floor.

With gratitude and appreciation,

Alex Novikov & Heather Smith

Organizers, California Chic Classic