Robert Planutis: A Heart Behind the Scenes

Atlantic City, USA – July 2025

The 2025 IDO Annual General Assembly in Atlantic City was more than just a gathering of dance leaders from around the world. It was a deeply emotional moment of reflection and renewal, made possible by one man whose devotion has quietly helped shape the course of IDO in the United States for nearly three decades — Robert Planutis.

This is a story not about spotlight, but about soul.

Robert Planutis didn’t grow up in the world of dance. His background is in hospitality management, nonprofit leadership, and union negotiation. But fate had other plans. His life took a profound turn when he became life partners with the late Bill Fowler — an IDO icon, former president, international educator, and one of the driving forces behind the presence of IDO in North America.

“I had no path in dance,” Robert said. “But through my relationship with Bill, it became my passion. We shared everything — and when he traveled with IDO, I followed. I would sit in meetings, observe, listen, absorb… and eventually, I fell in love with IDO too.”

Together with Gloria Jean Cuming and her husband Tony, Bill and Robert built something extraordinary from the ground up — IDO in the United States. Those were not easy beginnings. Robert recalls pouring their own savings into early events and doing whatever was needed to help the organization take root.

“Every one of our three World Championships lost tons of money,” he admitted. “We didn’t have that money sitting in an account. It came from our pockets. But we did it because it mattered.”

Through these challenges, Robert became the backbone — organizing events, handling logistics, and filling in wherever needed, even if no one saw it. “Bill was the public figure, Gloria too,” Robert said. “But I was in the background, making sure things ran properly, legally, and with heart.”

That same quiet strength was behind the flawless execution of the 2025 General Assembly. Delegates from 28 countries were welcomed with warmth, organization, and care — thanks to Robert’s unmatched attention to detail and his sense of duty.

“Hospitality is in my blood,” Robert said with a smile. “If you told me you needed a 300-person wedding by 6 p.m., I’d make it happen. But this event… it was more than logistics. I felt like everyone’s travel agent, visa officer, personal concierge.”

Indeed, he personally handled countless visa applications, correspondence with embassies, limo arrangements, venue setup, and even last-minute pharmacy runs — because, as he puts it, “That’s just what you do when people are in your care.”

The most emotional moment for Robert came during the reunion dinner, when he had the honor of presenting the Bill Fowler Lifetime Achievement Award to Gloria Jean Cuming.

“It meant the world to me,” he said, his voice softening. “We started this together in 1995. That moment — that recognition — it felt like Bill was there with us. It was incredibly personal.”

But Robert’s contribution isn’t just administrative. As Chairperson of the IDO Disciplinary and Ethics Committee, he’s also responsible for handling some of the organization’s most sensitive matters.

“The rules? That’s the easy part,” he said. “The hard part is people’s feelings. Even if they’re wrong, they have to feel heard, respected, understood. If you do that right, they’ll accept the decision. They’ll leave the room with dignity.”

He leads with empathy, shaped by years of managing over 3,000 employees and navigating countless disputes with fairness and transparency.

“Whether someone cleans the floor or leads a committee, they deserve equal respect,” he emphasized. “That’s how you build trust. That’s how you lead.”

His commitment to quality and education continues to drive him today. In recent years, Robert has championed the improvement of U.S. judge education within IDO — holding high standards and encouraging humility in those who wish to represent IDO on the international stage.

“Some people think they’re VIPs,” he said frankly. “But they fail the judging test because they didn’t even log in to the online academy. I tell them — if you want to judge the best in the world, treat the process with respect.”

Beyond the administrative, Robert continues to think big. He believes IDO must focus on global growth beyond Europe, especially in Asia and South America, where he’s personally striving to build stronger networks.

“We don’t need more events in Europe. We need expansion — new regions, new dancers, new voices,” he said. “That’s the future. We have to meet it.”

He admits the current era comes with new challenges. “It’s harder now,” he said. “At the beginning, we were growing. But after COVID, we’ve become stagnant in places. Rebuilding takes time, patience, and faith.”

And what keeps him going after all these years?

“I hate to beat a dead horse… but I love IDO,” he said. “Truly. You can tell who’s here for the right reasons. You can feel it.”

His message to the next generation?

“If your heart’s not in it, don’t do it. Follow your passion — whatever it is. Don’t waste your time. Don’t waste our time. Be part of the positive. Do it with love, or don’t do it at all.”

A Personal Note from Trajce Petkovski

IDO Vice President for Marketing & Communications

Thank you for organizing this year’s Assembly with such care, warmth, and depth. For being the kind of leader who listens before he speaks. For quietly handling the chaos so others can shine. For keeping Bill Fowler’s spirit alive — not through words, but through actions.

You are one of the hearts behind the scenes. Your work has never been about applause, but you deserve one now — from all of us.

With deep appreciation,

Trajce

#IDOWorldDance