Welcome to Tell-All Tuesday, where we learn more about the members of CDIP ! This week we meet David Hanberry, Chairman of Cheer and Dance Industry Professionals and CEO of Deep South Spirit and Elite Cheer Company!

1 ) What was your inspiration for creating Deep South Spirit and Elite Cheer Company?

I actually started coaching high school teams and was talked into starting an all star team. I saw that there was very limited options for competitions. I was used to other sports that had competitions throughout the season. I asked the largest company at the time to host more events so I could get more kids involved, and they declined. I opened Deep South! We realized the same need in other areas for quality events, at a great price, with more opportunities, so we acquired ECC. All of this was done to help grow the sport from the gym level.

2) How does your business help provide solutions for the Cheer & Dance Industry?

If you ask me my job I will tell you that I help gyms and programs grow. I take this very seriously. Coaches are the most important part of our industry, but in my years of coaching, I just felt like an ATM for other companies. I needed partners not just people asking for money. My companies offer valuable partnerships with coaches to help them grow in multiple ways. We concentrate on customer service and know we complete an educational package that the coaches start. We focus on making an experience that coaches, participants, and parents enjoy and find valuable. There are many great companies out there doing this now, and we are proud to be one!

3) What is your past experience in Cheer/Dance before creating Deep South Spirit?

I cheered in college and loved stunting and competing. I have won multiple titles personally, but I found my passion in coaching the next generation. I coached gymnastics and cheerleading for multiple championship teams. I started a gym and eventually that grew into many gyms. I liked the creativity of putting together great routines, and now I love the creativity of producing great events.

4) What made you want to join the CDIP?

I was asked to join a few years back when we were the Independent Event Producers to help with surveying coaches and gym owners and to use my research to lobby to the industry to better meet their needs. I was very reluctant to join, but have found that the organization truly shares my passion of quality, fairness, education, and growth starting at the local level with coaches and gym owners. Our membership includes true fans of our sport and advocates for industry growth. In the past few years we have seen a name change to the Cheer and Dance Industry Professionals, changes in membership and leadership, and we are a larger organization than I ever imagined. It is a true testament to the mission of the CDIP and what great people can accomplish when they work together. I can not wait to see where it can go from here!

Learn more about David Hanberry by going to our website on our Board Member Page or visit Deep South Spirit for more information about their exciting events!