Embrace Dancing at the Motion City Convention

My dancing awareness initiative was presented and displayed at the summer Latin dancing convention in August in central Birmingham.

“Embrace Dancing”, my dancing inclusivity and awareness initiative, was visible throughout Motion City, the annual Latin dancing convention jointly organised by Birmingham’s Latinmotion and London’s Mambocity.

The event was held at the Eastside Rooms conference centre in the Eastside area of central Birmingham.

This was the first time I have displayed my awareness content at Motion City. However, it is the second time the initiative has been developed and presented at a convention, following its original launch in December for the New Year Latin dancing convention NYE Fest.

The initiative is designed to promote inclusivity, including supporting dancers with neurodiversity, invisible disabilities and anxiety, and encouraging greater awareness and consideration within the dancing community.

Flyers

Promotional flyers were displayed throughout the event. Each flyer included a QR code providing direct online access to the Embrace Dancing webpages, allowing attendees to find out more about the initiative.

Video Promotion on the Big Screen

For the first time, a 30-second promotional video for the Embrace Dancing initiative was displayed on the event’s large screens during the convention.

This provided an opportunity to introduce the initiative to a wider audience attending the event and to increase its visibility beyond the physical promotional materials. Special thanks to the Motion City co founder Robert for his support.

Embrace Dancing Clothing

Also, for the first time, I also designed a specially branded Embrace Dancing sweatshirt, which I wore throughout the event.

The intention was to increase awareness of the initiative in a more visible and personal way, while encouraging attendees and participants to find out more and help spread the word.

Selfie Banner

I also developed an Embrace Dancing banner, which I used as part of selfie photographs during the event.

One example features teacher and DJ Fadi K, alongside my long-time friend, teacher and founder of SBK Teaching Standards, Clerissa Leney

(Thanks to Clerissa for permission to share her photo).

Social Media inclusive guides

During the event, I presented the Embrace Dancing inclusive guides through social media, including a version designed specifically for classes and workshops, alongside other versions covering parties and events.

The two Embrace Dancing inclusive video reels received strong levels of engagement. The Classes & Workshops reel received 240 views from an audience of 217, while the Parties & Events reel received 550 views from an audience of 365 people.

The initiative also contributed to increased online traffic, including visits to the Embrace Dancing features on my personal and awareness websites.

Continuing to Spread the Message

I hope that spreading the message of Embrace Dancing at this event will encourage attendees and participants to be more considerate of one another and help create a positive and inclusive dancing environment, regardless of individual abilities, difficulties or backgrounds.

I greatly appreciate the Motion City team for believing in my behind-the-scenes development work and for giving me the opportunity to share my Embrace Dancing awareness initiative at this year’s event for the first time.

Special thanks to the event founders Mauricio, Jean, Robert and Zain, along with event team members Brighon, Paula and Vicky, for their support.

To find out more about my dance awareness initiative, visit the Embrace Dancing Index.

Notice to Editors

Keith Mckenzie
Keith is an awareness campaigner, a creative designer (Graphic design and digital art) and a salsa dancing participant
With a background in Art & Design (including Graphic Design & Digital art) and a participant in music-related film documentaries, events & record label project King Of the Beats including filming and behind the scene preparations.
Keith was educated at Hereford College of the Arts, the University of Northampton, Birmingham City University and Google's Digital Garage. Since 2000 , he has developed over twenty years in providing awareness projects, campaigns and activities with the Awareness brand Plus Value Awareness along with Differences Originals. Also am involved with salsa classes in the local community
as an assistant. I also have participated in major dancing conventions in Birmingham's, including Motion City (created by Birmingham Latinmotion and London's ManboCity) during the summer and Latinmotion's NYE Fest during the New Year public holiday.
In 2022. Keith became a featured community participant for Birmingham who became part of special projects and campaigns to promote a positive legacy beyond hosting the Commonwealth Games.

Embrace Dancing
The online special feature appears both on my personal website and on my awareness website (Plus Value Awareness).

Presenting a family of dancing relative awareness projects information and activities. The feature was created in April 2023 and originally developed to support the two awareness events, autism dance and International Dance Day. After the response on social media and online the embrace dancing feature became a permanent feature and as a first point to explore projects & information.
Content on the Plus Value Awareness website
Including the following: "Inclusive to Dance", the inclusion information project and dancing inclusive pledges.