DJX EDUCATION

There are No Exhibits Monday.

nXt DJ Summer Camp will focus on learning and advancing both DJ Skills and life skills that build confidence, communication styles and teamwork. Led by Coach Hapa. Who is one of the industry’s top advocates for a national DJ Education program.

Meet fellow DJ/professionals, exchange business cards, and then prepare for a big week of networking, education, and enlightenment. Hosted by Jake Jacobsen of A2R Entertainment in Cumming, Ga., this session will allow everyone to experience the magic of DJX. Whether it's your first time attending or you're a seasoned DJX enthusiast, this kick-off event is designed to immerse you in the heart of the DJX community.

Mobile vet Mike Walter will present a new and very personal session at DJX – and his story is worth repeating. After beginning his career at a very successful multi-op, the New Jersey-based Walter has gone on to run his own outfit, Elite Entertainment. Along the way, he’s experienced a lot and learned even more. In this seminar, he’ll share tips about sales and marketing, training, and managing talent, and staying relevant to have a decades-long career in the business.

The advent of ChatGPT and other such AI tools has changed the digital landscape as we know it. And for those running DJ companies, using such tools productively will save you hours every week in your workflow. Join Jordan St. Jacques from Canada's Digitera as he takes you through the paces on how best to use ChatGPT in your workflow – from blog-writing to contract-creation and everything in between – so that you make the best use of your time every week.

As DJ/salespeople, we've all been programmed to push for “the yes,” to persuade and overcome objections. People are numb to it. But when you “go for the no,” you actually free people up to say yes on their own. And that leads to long-term success in both your sales and relationships. In this talk, the Charlotte-based Troy Adams of the Carolina DJ Professionals will share the techniques he's used to generate a 75-percent average close rate across his team of 30, while experiencing little turnover in his team, and amassing over 2,000 reviews to place Carolina DJ Professionals Top 10 in the country. Looking to book more gigs? Hear Troy Adams explain why you should “go for the no.”

As we finally move past the COVID era and its wide-ranging impact on the DJ market and its related products, 2023 has brought some new technologies and one very big industry acquisition that will certainly impact us all. Starting with stems technologies and moving thru the pro-audio, lighting, software, and accessories worlds, the DJ market – and shopping for its products – has continued to evolve for the mobile, club, scratch, and studio segments. What’s the latest on these new industry developments? What are its implications for DJs of all stripes? This seminar will give you the straight dope and the latest tips – and it’ll explain how you benefit from the new tech. Moderated by DJ LIFE Editor Jim Tremayne, this session will include top retailers and industry insiders. Don’t miss out on this vital tech-talk.

We’re all getting older and, as DJs, that familiar weekly grind can add up over the years, resulting in a variety of unhealthy outcomes. So how does a professional DJ avoid the profession’s many pitfalls, like poor diet, weight gain, injuries, and illness? How does a jock embrace wellness, rejuvenation, repair, and healing, hopefully ensuring a bright future? Join Mike Fernino, moderator of Facebook’s DJ Idea Sharing group, and fellow mobile vet Sean “Big Daddy” McKee, as they head a panel of pro jocks who will share personal stories of challenge and courage – and offer sage advice and useful solutions on wellness, prevention and being your best.

Many DJs belong to industry networking groups like ILEA, NACE, and MPI – and those are certainly great places to get referrals and bring in business. However, many of your competitors are there as well, so you may be one of a dozen or so DJ companies in any of those groups. So, how do you avoid getting lost in the shuffle of competition? Where do you go if you want to stand away from the crowd, but still have access to unique business opportunities? Ross Akselrad of Philly’s Pulse Entertainment has the answers. In his tutorial, he’ll teach you how to open your horizons to other networking groups and associations that can bring you a ton of business – and you may be the only DJ they have as a member. He’ll not only will give you specific examples, but will also tell you how to find those unique networking opportunities in your area.

Join Mixware as it showcases the latest and greatest DJ and lighting equipment from its renowned in-house brands, ColorKey and Headliner – and meet the talented team behind both brands. As a DJX seminar attendee, you'll also have the chance to win some incredible prizes! GIVEAWAY ALERT: Prizes include two popular ColorKey LS8 8-foot lighting totems, two ColorKey Mover Wash HEX 12 moving-head wash lights, one Headliner Gigastand USB laptop stand, and the new Headliner Ventura DJ Backdrop. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your DJ setup and elevate your performances. You must be present to win.

In the late ’80s, DJ Cecil Glenn (aka DC the Brain Supreme) was spinning at Magic City, one of America’s most-popular gentlemen’s clubs – also, Atlanta’s top venue for breaking new music. Over time, DC absorbed the wild atmosphere and saw what records worked, while also mentoring upcoming local performers like Lil Jon and Outkast. By the early ’90s, he’d formed Tag Team with Steve Rolln, a high-school friend and fellow MC/producer. In 1993, the duo struck platinum – four times platinum, to be exact – and everything changed. That year, Tag Team topped all the charts with “Whoomp! (There It Is),” a deceptively clean tune inspired by Magic City, a very adult-themed nightclub. But leave it up to a tuned-in DJ to find the right angle to elevate a club’s catch phrase. In short order, the boomin’ single was everywhere – in clubs, on radio, in films, and on TV – eventually selling 4 million copies, making it one of hip-hop’s biggest hits. Cut to the next scene, insurance giant GEICO comes calling, features Tag Team in its “Scoop! There It Is” campaign, and a career is revitalized. But in the interim, DC wasn’t asleep. After a memorable stint DJing at Rupert’s, another legendary Atlanta nightspot, he threw himself into business, ultimately immersing himself in public speaking, voiceover work, and tech – SEO, social media, and eventually AI. When he’s not touring with Tag Team, he’s busy with a variety of endeavors, always looking for the next opportunity, but using the latest technologies to do it. At this exclusive DJX Keynote Q&A, DC the Brain Supreme will tell the true story of a DJ who hit it big, but also had a second act to his career. He never stopped hustling and never stopped earning because he never stopped learning.

As a veteran DJ, does mentorship come easy to you? Are you someone who can instruct and inspire the next generation of DJs? And, if so… how would you like to get paid while doing it? In an illuminating DJX session, DJ HAPA “The DJ Coach” will show you how education for upstart DJs can become a new, potentially lucrative opportunity for established DJs. With his “Start To DJ” program, HAPA will break down how he’s developed a series of plans to empower DJs looking to teach the next generation. From building DJ-education curriculums and textbooks to certifying coaches for after-school programs, HAPA has the ideas and tools for veteran DJs looking for new revenue streams and for upstart jocks seeking potential new career paths.

At DJX’ 23, Pioneer DJ will usher in a new era of turntablism. Join Pioneer DJ’s own DJ Jay Brannan and Zimmie for an in-depth and interactive demonstration of the brand’s latest products to suit turntablists of all skill sets. GIVEAWAY ALERT: Two lucky DJX-seminar attendees will win brand-new Pioneer DJ products! Must be present to win.

No matter what kind of DJ you are (club, mobile, studio) – and no matter which side of the Northern Border you reside on (U.S. or Canada) – you know that all DJs face the same challenges and successes in our industry. The social-media platforms are buzzing with discussions, conflicts, and concerns that are common within our industry. That's why the Canadian DJ Association, along with American thought leaders in the U.S. DJ industry, cordially invite you to join in for this open roundtable discussion, which will delve into such topics as competition, marketing, industry growth, and the future of the DJ industry.

nXt DJ Summer Camp will focus on learning and advancing both DJ Skills and life skills that build confidence, communication styles and teamwork. Led by Coach Hapa. Who is one of the industry’s top advocates for a national DJ Education program.

Are you a DJ who wants killer light shows, but don’t have the time or desire to learn DMX? Wish you could make more money with lighting, but don’t want the hassle of more gear to set-up? Trying to do it all yourself at gigs with no lighting operator? None of these challenges need to stand between you and more money anymore because, at DJX ’23, CHAUVET DJ has the solutions for you. In this sponsored session at DJX ’23, discover new tech, learn how to turn common lighting pitfalls into profits and get inspired to make more money with lighting. Because time really is money. But how much time equals how much money? Find out in this enLIGHTening seminar from CHAUVET DJ!

Is your DJ company looking for new revenue streams? Are you a DJ with an ability to provide audio/video solutions for clients? In this session, New Jersey’s Blue Line Productions will show you how to diversify your company by fusing these two interests in an exciting and profitable way. Blue Line’s Dan Drake and Jude Luongo will recount how they made their transition to serve the NYC market and they’ll explain how such an endeavor can be lucrative for the right company. In their detailed presentation, Drake and Luongo will explain: the benefit of purchasing AV equipment over renting and how it helped their company succeed; how accelerated depreciation benefits a company; different tiers of pay in various types of events (bars, private gigs, corporates, etc.); how to determine packages and billing; and the crucially important topic of tax rules as they relate to renting AV, selling DJ packages, and more. Looking to diversify and profit? AV may just be your ticket.

It’s one of the biggest questions within the DJ industry these days, and in this session a panel of DJ and tech vets will debate the issue. At this lively discussion, moderator Jordan St. Jacques (Canada’s Digitera) will be joined by Ken Cosco (Boston’s A Touch Of Class) arguing for the DJ side vs. Ryan Von Ahn (Cleveland’s By Request Mobile DJ Service) arguing for the AI side... with Ross Akselrad (Philadelphia’s Pulse Entertainment) taking a neutral stance and pointing out the pros and cons of both perspectives. Join in and explore this most important of subjects, so that we can all be informed on how the future will affect our present.

Back for his 16th consecutive DJX session, Jake Jacobsen of A2R Entertainment in Cumming, Ga., will demonstrate a set of brand-new party games for mobile jocks looking to take the very latest back to their various markets. Long a staple on the Jersey Shore DJ scene, Jacobsen in recent years has taken his talents South and has made his mark by bringing his East-Coast-party vibes to suburban Atlanta. Annually, one of the most-lively and participation-filled seminars at DJX, this 90-minute session will light up the room and arm DJs in attendance with a years’ worth of exciting and new mobile party games.

By his own estimation, DJ/producer Dave Audé has made more than 1,500 remixes. By the record book, he’s created 135 No. 1 Billboard Dance tracks – more than any remixer in history. He’s worked on songs from the very biggest acts in the pop, rock, country, dance, R&B, and hip-hop genres – from Madonna to U2 and everyone in between… Adele, Lizzo, Lady Gaga and so many more. In addition to several Grammy-Award nominations, he earned his award in 2016 for his remix of “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars – quite a run so far. At his “Keynote Q&A” Audé will recount his successful career with DJ LIFE Editor Jim Tremayne, offer advice from the DJ and studio worlds, and take questions from the DJX audience.

What’s the next phase in social media for mobile DJs? What should DJs do once they’ve initially expanded their reach via platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook? Basically, where do we all go from here? DJ Cova, himself a noted Twitch Partner, will be joined by a panel of successful mobile-DJ influencers, who will explain the next phase of the social-media game: Expanding your opportunities even further with vlogs (i.e. – documenting your events via socials). Through vlogs, you can build your brand, promote your events, connect with other DJs, and learn from other DJs. Panelists include Nick Spinelli, Cleveland Terry, DJ Barr, and Rachel Lynch. If you’re looking for the next step in the socials game, don’t miss this info-filled session.

Philly-based jock Greg Curran of the DJ Entertainment School will offer guidance and tips on a variety of topics, including performance, business-building, and marketing – from basic microphone skills to networking tactics, from client management to content creation. If you’re just starting out, this is the tutorial for you.

As a mobile DJ, when you make a sale for an event, you’re selling more than your basic service… you’re selling yourself and a perception of yourself that goes well beyond that sale. In the end, you are your brand – and, of course, flexing a strong brand goes a long way in the success of any DJ business. So, how do you get there? Stephanie Rivkin of Connecticut’s Royal Beats DJ Services has answers. She’ll show you why personalizing your brand is part of a powerful strategy to attract your ideal client. She’ll show how building your personal brand enables you to build trust, stand out from competitors, boost brand awareness, and increase conversion rates. In the end, she’ll explain how to showcase the real you.

Looking for success stories where DJs faced down adversity and came out on top? Moderated by Philadelphia-based Vernique Fields (aka DJ Neeek Nyce) of Into Fields Live Entertainment, this session will offer several such tales and discuss the concept of inclusivity in the DJ industry. This youth-driven panel discussion – featuring International Kidz DJ Café and a group of DJ/performers – will describe the challenges that are faced by DJs of all ages and demographics and reveal how they overcame their obstacles and succeeded in their professional careers. Expect a session full of solutions and inspiration.

Are you a mobile entertainer looking to make your next move and grow your business? In this detail-filled session, Joshua Lask of the Hudson Valley Event Group in Monroe, N.Y., will explain how single-operating DJs can go multi-op. Lask will teach attendees the art of letting go and delegating by understanding when and how to place employees in positions of power. He will help attendees understand and embrace the emotional roller coaster of relinquishing responsibility. He’ll teach them how to balance time vs. money, and he’ll teach how to execute as a team to boost profits and performance. Sit in, if you want to scale up!

SMPL System is a CRM and e-marketing platform built specifically for the events industry. A revolution in DJ-business management, SMPL System allows users to: communicate with clients; track events and collect information; manage music, selections, and enhancements. In this sponsored seminar for professional DJs/event MCs, SMPL System will demonstrate ways to make the most of your time and resources, as well as present tools that will enable your team to increase efficiency in the workplace. Participants will learn strategies to help manage their time and create productive habits.

nXt DJ Summer Camp will focus on learning and advancing both DJ Skills and life skills that build confidence, communication styles and teamwork. Led by Coach Hapa. Who is one of the industry’s top advocates for a national DJ Education program.

Join Carnival Cruise Line for this exclusive DJX Seminar to gain unique insight from company leadership and industry pros to land your dream gig. Get the behind-the-scenes golden nuggets of DJ culture, career paths, exclusive DJ benefits, and global touring opportunities with Carnival Cruise Line. Seminar panelists include Dimitri “DJ Atomic” Fontenelle (Carnival Cruise Line Supervisor, Pro DJ’s & Digital Music), Brett Hedrick (Carnival Cruise Line Manager, Music Direction), Katherine “DJ Saxy” Grant (Carnival Pro DJ, Music Manager, & Saxophonist), Nick James Hahn (DJ Industry Expert) and Joe “J-Blendz” Hall (Carnival Pro DJ, Chicago Cubs Official DJ, & Serial Entrepreneur). Find out why we are the No. 1 Rated DJ Program at Sea and – GIVEAWAY ALERT – enter to win some amazing giveaways!

Looking for advice from the best in the business? Join us for this edition of The DJ’s Vault Live at DJX as a group of successful mobile-entertainment entrepreneurs convene to offer some answers to a variety of your pressing questions. North Carolina-based Joe Bunn of the Bunn DJ Company will team with a pair of New Jersey Jocks – Mike Walter of Elite Entertainment and Jason Jani of SCE Event Group – to discuss marketing, selling, hiring, training, performance and more. How did these guys climb the ladder and how do they stay on top? Bring your questions and find out.

Are you looking to add onto your DJ business? Do you need more space? More gear? More vehicles? If so, what you really need is more money – you need a loan. At DJX ’23, we’ve called the “Money Answer Man” Jerry Bazata to offer details on the best ways to go about it. The Maine-based DJ Jaz also works as a commercial banker and, in this 60-minute session, he’ll set you in the right direction for securing a much-needed loan and seeing your DJ business ultimately thrive. This hands-on seminar will provide practical information on how to talk with a lender, how you need to prepare, and he’ll detail the common mistakes most DJs make when seeking a loan for their business. Bazata has helped thousands of small-business owners – and plenty of DJs – obtain capital and grow their businesses, even when the odds were stacked against them.

Join Jordan St. Jacques (Canada’s Digitera, Canada) and his partner Mike Marquez (NYC’s Twitch trailblazer) as they further explain how ChatGPT can speed up common SEO and social-media tasks that we all must do. Remember… time is money, and this seminar definitely will save you a lot of time.

Vibo is a premier event-planning software that seamlessly communicates client needs to the DJ in one user-friendly dashboard. Its mission? To give your clients a less stressful and more customized event-planning experience and help you, the DJ, organize your music to throw better events, so you can focus on your business and increase your bottom line. Using Vibo as a sales tool in consultations with prospective clients will help to close more deals and make more money. Curate playlists, execute vibes and moods, and ultimately make dreams come true with Vibo as your music-planning software. This sponsored session will present the real stories about how DJs are making brides want to book only them and look no further. The one thing they have in common is their unfair advantage – and that secret is Vibo. In this live panel, Brian S Redd, DJ Rachel, Rick Web, Aaron Strawn, and Jay Murch will discuss how Vibo became the secret sauce that separates them from DJs who aren't using it. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from the best and gain the unfair advantage you need to crush your competition.

Philadelphia-based DJ Greg Curran of the DJ Entertainment School will be joined by a panel of veteran mobile jocks from a range of regions to discuss how they set prices in their markets and explain strategies for pricing in your market. Bring your questions and prepare to dig into this heavily debated topic.

You asked, we listened – “The Video DJ” panel is back. Veteran Boston DJ Joshua Carl moderates an expert panel of DJs, video remixers and industry gurus on the ins and outs of everything related to the realm of Video DJing. From the most simple of concepts to future tech and how to brand, monetize and leave your clients blown away and wanting more, “The Video DJ” panel will deliver. Panelists include: DJ Callen, DJ Mister E, DJ Alpha, DJ Larry D, DJ Stevie B, DJ EYECON, DJ Evan Clark & DJ Eloy.

Why should DJs learn to create edits, mashups, and remixes of songs? Firstly, it can help you stand out from the crowd. In today's competitive DJ market, it's more important than ever to have something unique to offer. By learning to create your own edits, mashups, and remixes, you can give your sets a personal touch that will make you stand out from the other DJs. Also, it can help you build your brand. When you create your own edits, mashups, and remixes, you can release them online and share them with your fans. And, of course, it can help you get more bookings. In this unique tutorial, DJ Cova (No. 1 remix for John Legend) and Flipside from the Jump Smokers (produced/toured with Pitbull and Enrique Iglesias) will show you how it’s done.

Are you selling add-ons or including them in your DJ package? If you aren't, why not? You’re missing out on extra revenue that could change your business or take you from a part-time DJ to a full-time jock. In this seminar, Ross Akselrad from Philly's Pulse Entertainment will teach you how to sell add-on items – from uplighting and audio guest books to photo booths and videography – so you can dramatically increase your average booking fee and build your bottom line.

According to legend, it all started Aug. 11, 1973, at a “back to school jam” thrown in a Bronx apartment building’s rec room. With DJ Kool Herc on the decks, historians seem to agree that all the elements of hip-hop came together that night. Fifty years later, hip hop has not only taken over the music world, but also pop culture at large – fashion, sports, language, you name it. So, at DJX ’23, come celebrate with us as we honor “50 Years of Hip Hop” and welcome some of the most prominent fixtures in the hip-hop culture – from its foundational days thru its big boom and into its modern incarnation – as they discuss its birth and evolution, its innovative DJs and MCs, and more. Moderated by DJ LIFE Editor Jim Tremayne, the session’s participants include: Grand Wizzard Theodore; Jazzy Jay; Kool DJ Red Alert; DJ Skribble; Keith Shocklee (Public Enemy); Grandmaster Dee (Whodini); and Mell Starr.

Attn: DJ/Content Creators… what’s a great social-media technique that will help you bump up your bottom line? The answer is vertical video. What is it? Vertical video is video captured in portrait mode – IG Reels, TikTok, and YouTube shorts utilize vertical video to optimize viewing. These platforms promote/suggest the vertical format much more than the standard landscape format, making it easier to achieve visibility and reach new clients/DJs. So join Eyecon and a panel of pros – including Justin the DJ, Jeff Scott Gould & DJ Demand – as they explain how vertical video has helped them attract premium clients, raise their prices, and fill their calendars. Whether you’re a new DJ looking to get properly started on socials or a vet seeking perfection, vertical video is for you.

Whether you’re a DJ flying solo or running a multi-op mobile-entertainment company, if you’re going to succeed in the long-term, you gotta get the gigs – and you keep getting them. Every successful mobile jock has his or her secrets, and in this session, Chris Washburn of Ithaca, N.Y., will reveal some of his. In this entertaining presentation, Washburn will explain how authentic branding and genuinely connecting with people are essential for achieving optimal sales. He will share his proven processes and techniques that have allowed his DJ company, Washburn Entertainment, to thrive in his upstate New York market. He’ll also dive into some cool social-media marketing strategies that will help your brand become a desired commodity that generates more value – and profits!

What is sound reinforcement and why is it important for event DJs? DJ Tony Fernandez of Richmond, Va., has the answers for you in this audio refresher course. As an event DJ and soundman himself, Fernandez will explain the importance of understanding your sound system and its environment. Topics include: room set-ups; speaker types (point source, column array, line array, passive, active, hybrid, etc.); stereo vs. mono; subwoofers; wattage; The 3dB Rule; and more. Remember, knowledge is power.

Join Jordan St. Jacques from Canada's Digitera for an hour-long session to go through all the best AI tools for your DJ business available on the market today. He'll plow rapid-fire through as many productive tools as he can in the 90 minutes he has – and he’ll give away a few freebies at the end of the session to everyone in attendance, as a way of saying thank you to those of you who stayed for the last day!