Southwest Bootblack Contest

Southwest Leather Conference honors the historical roots of bootblacking in the leather community and is dedicated to promoting the bootblacks of the Southwest region. The Southwest Bootblack Contest was established to direct attention to the bootblack's art and skills and to recognize the dedication, spirit and service heart that the very best in the bootblack community exemplify. Southwest Bootblack Contestants provide bootblacking services to SWLC attendees throughout the weekend, and there is often an added element of eroticism to their service as they strive to ignite the sparks that can sometimes fly between boot owner and bootblack.

We are currently accepting contestant applications. In the past, contestants have found themselves more prepared by registering early and having opportunity to get to know other contestants and judges in advance -- it has made for great weekends of growing and continuing friendships. Please contact our Southwest Bootblack Contest Coordinator, boi moe. for information regarding the Southwest Bootblack contest.

Current and Past Southwest Bootblack Titleholders:

• 2011: No contestants
• 2010: Cobi (California)
• 2009: slave tabitha (Arizona)
• 2008: Kiddo (Colorado)
• 2007: boi moe (Arizona)
• 2006: Henry James (Arizona)
• 2005: Steven Hagen (Nevada)

1. Each Contestant must self-identify as a Bootblack. (The use of the word "Bootblack"" is non-gender / non-sexual-orientation specific.)
2. The Southwest Bootblack titleholder must travel to and present on the craft of bootblacking at a minimum of four (4) BDSM or Leather groups, events or meetings within the Southwest Region during his/her title year.
3. The titleholder will be strongly encouraged to attend more than the minimum number of events and to seek out every opportunity to speak about bootblacking.
4. The titleholders must be willing to speak about bootblacking to all segments of the BDSM/Leather/fetish community and are encouraged to select venues and attend events that offer them the opportunity to speak on bootblacking or to bootblack.
5. The titleholder may accept additional monetary support from groups, event sponsors or individuals to cover travel expenses, and may raise additional money to cover travel expenses through fundraising activities. The titleholder may not receive payment above and beyond actual travel expenses for speaking engagements or other activities performed in their role as Southwest Bootblack during the title year with the exception of gratuities for bootblacking services.
6. The titleholder will be required to submit a quarterly report to Butchmanns, Inc. This report will include their activities in support of the title, and a final financial report on the use of the travel fund and any other funds raised or received during the title year to help defray travel expenses.
7. Should the titleholder become unable to carry out the requirements of the title, Butchmanns, Inc. will determine in what manner the title will be represented for the remainder of the year in question.
8. If the titleholder is unable to carry out the requirements of the title, any unspent travel funds will be returned to Butchmanns, Inc., along with a financial accounting of funds that have been spent to date.
9. During the title year, the titleholder may not charge a fee for their personal use for participating in BDSM activity, whether sexual or non-sexual in nature with the exception of gratuities for bootblacking services.
10. Butchmanns, Inc. reserves the right to recall the title from the current titleholder if, in its judgment, the titleholder has failed to substantially comply with or fulfill the obligations of the title.

• Interview with Judges (150 points) – During the Interview category the questions may address any aspect of bootblacking, BDSM, Leather history, and the contestants specific life. The Interview category is open to all attendees of the contest weekend.
• Technical Skills (100 points) - Each contestant will bring a pair of worn military style combat/jump boots capable of holding a high shine polish. These may be located at a goodwill/thrift type store, or perhaps you have an old pair. All boots will be assigned a number and contestants will draw a number to randomly select the boots that they will work on. The contestant will be required to shine one boot of the pair. A set amount of time will be allotted to carry out this task, following which the pair of boots will be put on display for viewing by the judges. The contestant must provide all necessary supplies for this task; the contest producers will provide a tarp for covering the floor. No open flame can be used except to singe stray strings.
• Interpersonal Skills (100 points) – Contestants will be observed by the judges throughout the weekend and will be judged on how they interact and present themselves as a bootblack to the public. Each contestant will be judged on their interpersonal interactions and skills throughout the weekend, including attitude, friendliness, courtesy, and cooperativeness. This category will be scored last.
• Speech and Formal Wear (100 points) – Contestants will give a three-minute introductory speech on a topic of their choice during either the Friday or Saturday night event ceremonies. The contestant will also be judged on their formal leather dress during this time. Formal wear is what the contestant would wear to a formal leather event.
• On-stage question (100 points) – Each contestant will be asked a "pop" question on-stage during either the Friday or Saturday night event ceremonies. Contestants will have no prior knowledge of the questions asked. The question may or may not be related to boot blacking.

• The bootblack contest is scored using straight scoring, meaning ALL judges scores count. In the event of a tie, Olympic scoring (dropping the highest and lowest scores from a judge in each category) will be used. A perfect overall score would be 550.
• A Bootblack Contestant must receive at least 70% of the total points possible, with a minimum score of 385 points to win the competition, and be awarded the title.
• Scoring and judge feedback will be available to contestants within 30 days of the end of the contest.

• Complimentary event registration for SWLC 2013
   
• Vest patch

• A travel fund based on the profit generated throughout the event (some of that amount could be granted via in-kind donations (i.e. frequent flyer miles and hotel credits).

• A special travel fund will be provided to the titleholder to help defray the cost of participation in either the International Mr Bootblack Contest or the International Ms Bootblack Contest.