With just two full weeks until The DJ Expo returns to Atlantic City, NJ’s Trump Taj Mahal to celebrate its 25th year from August 10-13, the full schedule of seminars and workshops has been revealed.
Peep the full itinerary below and register for your Full Expo Pass here.
Monday, August 10
(There Are No Exhibits Today)
10:30-11:00, Tiara Ballroom B
Intro, Kick-Off & Networking Session
Meet and greet, then begin to network with your fellow Expo attendees. With MC Mike Walter at the helm, this session will encourage opening your mind to new ideas. Be prepare to listen and share, so that you can return to your market inspired.
11:00-12:30, Tiara Ballroom B
All-Star MCs—Hosted by Steve Moody
The popular Maryland mobile will gather some of the country’s best MCs to share unique tips that will take your events to another level.
12:30 – 2:00, Diamond Room A
Working Together to Improve the Industry
The U.S. Disc Jockey Association proudly presents a panel discussion and Q&A session on how the mobile DJ community can improve its standing with consumers, vendors, and even competitors. USDJA President Jason Walsh will unveil USDJA 2.0, the plan to create a nationwide, non-profit DJ association with room for every interested professional DJ. USDJA’s NYC Local Chapter President Anthony Gerardi will discuss how thinking outside-the-box through business franchising can improve your bottom line. Finally, Dale Wittick, USDJA’s insurance broker, will briefly discuss information regarding the all-new USDJA insurance benefit.
1:00 – 2:30, Tiara Ballroom B
The Keys: Become a Great Performer
Loaded with tips and strategies to make you the best DJ/MC you can be, this action-packed seminar features Expo favorite Mike Walter, who will share his 25 years of experience.
3:00 – 4:00, Diamond Room A
XDJ-RX: Introduction to Pioneer DJ’s All-in-One rekordbox DJ System
Sponsored by Pioneer DJ, this seminar will introduce Expo attendees to the XDJ-RX, an all-in-one, rekordbox-compatible DJ system with large, dual-deck screen and club-standard layout. This next-generation solution integrates two USB-driven players and a 2-channel mixer with powerful performance features. You can also connect additional CDJs and/or turntables and use the XDJ-RX as a stand-alone mixer. Bring your business cards… because one lucky seminar attendee will win a new XDJ-RX system.
3:00 – 4:30, Tiara Ballroom B
The Art of Latin Events
Presented by Jack Bermeo, the DJ Expo’s two-time “DJ of the Year” will reveal the secrets of rocking Latin weddings, Quiñces and special events.
4:00 – 5:00, Diamond Room D
DJ Technology: The Latest & Greatest
Hear the latest news on tech topics from a distinguished panel of gear/software reviewers and DJ retailers. Bring your Q’s and this panel will offer specific A’s.
5:00 -6:00, Diamond Room A
Eternal Lighting Presents: Light Up Your Bottom Line – $1,000 Raise Per Event With Lighting and Luminair
Have you hit a ceiling as a mobile entertainer? Looking to make more money each night without dragging out a photobooth or becoming a multi-op? By using uplighting, you can make your clients happy and increase your bottom line. We will go over how simple it is to create an amazing light show by using Luminar to control your lighting from an iPad! You can raise your average job price from $500 to $1,000 for making amazing light shows with the latest battery-powered, wireless, uplighting and more. See the improved CUBEecho MK2, EchoICON MK2 and EchoEDGE MK2. Also, be sure to come see in person the new Outdoor rated battery powered CUBEecho IP65 HEX. Eternal Lighting will teach you the money-making tips, but also will open your eyes to the future.
5:00 – 6:30, Tiara Ballroom B
The Myths & Methods of Beatmixing
Whether you’re working CDs, DVS or old-school vinyl, beatmixing remains a valuable and basic tool for DJs of all stripes. And nobody teaches the craft better than longtime club/mobile DJ Frank Garcia of NYC’s Mainline Lighting & Sound. Be there for Frank’s instructional seminar and positivity session. An Expo tradition.
Tuesday, August 11
(Exhibits run from Noon to 6 pm)
10:00 – 11:30, Tiara Ballroom B
The Art of the Review as a Business Tool
The “review” has become a key and critical component of the mobile-DJ business model in recent years. DJ Times Money Answer Man Jerry Bazata will share best practices and industry insight to what drives the review process and how to effectively use it to grow your business.
10:00 – 11:45, Diamond Rooms B&C
Chauvet DJ Presents: Creative Lighting, Creating Profits with Jeremy Brech
Great lighting makes a big impact and gives you the power to create amazing atmospheres your clients will talk about for years to come. In this informative and comprehensive seminar, Jeremy “DJ Jer” Brech puts that power in your hands with creative lighting tips and techniques you can use right away to light the way to higher profits! Using the very latest Chauvet DJ gear, DJ Jer will demonstrate innovative ways to re-imagine how you use fixtures to make a big impact and big profits.
12:30 – 2:00, Diamond Room D
Right on the Money: Spinning Country
Connecticut DJ Alan Kohn has been spinning country music successfully at clubs and mobile events for more than two decades. Join him and a panel of experts as they tackle a variety of genre-related topics—events, marketing and more. Also, be there to learn the latest line-dance moves from the Premier Dance Team.
1:00 – 2:30, Tiara Ballroom B
Mitzvah Massive with Big Daddy
Every year Sean “Big Daddy” McKee does his Mitzvah by wowing Expo attendees with his annual marquee massive. This year, the mock Mitzvah will help attendees understand the ins and outs of Mitzvah performance and marketing.
1:30 – 2:30, Diamond Room A
Turning Your Business into a Multi-Op
Presented by QSC Audio, this session will explain the benefits of expanding your business horizons, then offer specific ideas on how to do just that.
2:30 – 3:30, Diamond Room D
Keynote Q&A: Grand Mixer DXT, Grand Wizzard Theodore & Jazzy Jay
Go back to the pioneering days of DJing with these 3 hip-hop legends: Grand Mixer DXT made famous by his turntable performance on Herbie Hancock’s seminal hit, “Rockit”; Grand Wizzard Theodore, the DJ who invented the scratch technique; and Jazzy Jay, co-founder of Def Jam, one of the genre’s greatest labels.
3:00 – 4:30, Tiara Ballroom B
Party Games with Jake
In this all-new high-energy session, New Jersey mobile Jake Jacobsen will help showcase the best, new party-starting games that’ll be sure to help you win business in your market.
4:00 – 5:30, Diamond Room D
Legal Q&A for DJs
If you’re a mobile jock, club DJ or remixer/producer/artist seeking legal advice, this is the seminar for you. Coe Ramsey, entertainment attorney and former DJ, will tackle a bevy of topics, including contracts, partnerships, copyrights, trademarks, licensing and more.
5:00 – 6:00, Tiara Ballroom B
First Gig, Next Gig, Small Gig, Big Gig
In this seminar, DJs can learn how to apply an entrepreneurial strategy to the growth of their business. Join Joe Molineaux from the Stockton College of New Jersey’s Small Business Development Center as he encourages you to ask the right questions about your business plan.
5:00 – 6:30, Diamond Room A
Video DJing 101
Hosted by Boston-based VJ Joshua Carl, a panel of industry leaders and veterans clear up the rights and wrongs of the reels of steel.
Wednesday, August 12
(Exhibits run from Noon to 6 pm)
10:00 – 11:30, Tiara Ballroom B
Find More Revenue with “Wedding-Moons”
Looking for ways to maximize your wedding revenue? Who isn’t? There are easy ways to find success after the wedding with Sandals and Beaches Honeymoons, wedding-moons and vacations for your clients and friends. Mark Brenneisen of CSGI Events/Total Entertainment will help you find out how.
12:30 – 1:30, Tiara Ballroom B
Same-Sex Weddings: A Primer
The recent Supreme Court Ruling on same-sex marriage means this wedding market is ready to boom nationwide! Are you wondering how different these weddings are from others and how you can break into the emerging market? Learn tangible insights to help you grow into this client base. Presented by Jodi Duston, DJ Jodi Entertainment.
1:00-2:00, Diamond Room D
Making Your Own Breaks: How to Jump-Start Your DJing Career
Linda Leigh is a Philly jock who has never taken no for an answer—when in doubt, she believes, do it yourself. So, in this panel—part motivation, part instruction—she’ll show you how to take control of your own path, by starting a club night, connecting with other DJs and promoters, distributing your music and more.
2:00 – 3:00, Tiara Ballroom B
Get More Brides
Rick Brewer has been speaking on the subject of booking brides for more than a decade. Although the Internet has changed the way brides purchase services, their needs have remained the same. See what he has to say about the psychology of persuasion and how to put the relationship back in your marketing.
2:30 – 3:30, Diamond Room D
Keynote Q&A: Marley Marl & DJ Polo from the Juice Crew
The Juice Crew from the Queensbridge section of Queens was one of the most influential DJ and artist collectives in the history of hip hop. From tracks like “The Bridge” and “Roxanne’s Revenge” to artists like Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie, Marley Marl & DJ Polo were right in the middle of it all. Hear how the Juice Crew exerted its influence on New York City radio, hip hop, and, ultimately, America’s burgeoning DJ culture.
3:30 – 4:30, Diamond Room A
Moving Heads – Choosing The Right Fixture For Your Event
In this ADJ-sponsored seminar, Arnoldo Offermann of Master School Dances will discuss choosing the right moving head for your event and how to get the biggest bang for the buck. You’ll also learn about some creative uses that allow one mover to have many applications. He’ll also talk about the different styles of moving heads offered on the market today: Spots, Washes, Beams and Zooms.
3:30 – 4:30, Tiara Ballroom B
Write Your Own Success Story with Adam Weitz
In his 20-year DJ career, Philadelphia’s Adam Weitz has found the keys to self-development. Join him as he offers the lessons of entrepreneurship. Don’t give money priority; instead, give priority to the service that produces the money.
4:00 – 5:00, Diamond Room D
Remixing/Producing: The Next Step for DJs
It’s no secret that the route to genuine DJ stardom begins in the studio. Edits, remixes, productions & collaborations—they all help DJs get their names and talents known. Hear a panel of studio mavens discuss the gear, the business and the strategies that help DJs make the step toward artistry.
5:00 – 6:30, Tiara Ballroom B
New Jersey Disc Jockey Network presents Randy Bartlett
At this session, the New Jersey Disc Jockey Network (NJDJN), a premier professional group of DJs from the Northeast, will hold its regular monthly meeting and also unveil its new logo. This will be followed by a one-hour seminar by Randy Bartlett titled, “Breaking the Mold: Why Should Clients Choose You?”
5:00 – 6:30, Diamond Room A
Next Level Video DJing
Not for the faint of heart and processor-weary, this is where the industry pros dish on how to push the Video-DJ envelope with a healthy combination of future tech and good old-fashioned skills. Hosted by Joshua Carl.
Thursday, August 13
(Exhibits run 11 am to 3 pm)
2:45 pm EXHIBIT HALL
Ultimate DJ System Giveaway
You must be present at the time of the drawing to win.
Win Gear From: ADJ, JBL Professional, Global Truss America & Pioneer DJ
