DJ Expo ’17: New Venues, Big Results in Atlantic City

 Atlantic City, N.J. – The 2017 DJ Expo switched venues from its 2016 edition, but the show’s mission remained the same.

DJ Expo – held this past Aug. 14-17 at the Atlantic City Convention Center – again presented the industry’s best combination of gear exhibits, educational seminars and evening events. Also, its star-studded evening events fired up a pair of venues inside The Tropicana – Boogie Nights and Ivan Kane’s Kiss Kiss Nightclub.

Produced by DJ Times magazine and its publisher Testa Communications, DJ Expo packed the Convention Center’s exhibit hall with nearly 200 booths, and drew just over 6,000 badgeholders (mobile and club DJs, music makers and bedroom jocks), representing a 3-percent increase from the 2016 show. Additionally, first-time attendees comprised 30-percent of the overall number.

The Show: DJ Expo delivered a packed schedule of exhibits, seminars and parties that saw participation from exhibitor/sponsors like ADJ, Bose, Chauvet DJ, Digital Music Pool, Electro-Voice, Global Truss, inMusic Brands, Mackie, Peavey, Pioneer DJ, RCF USA, Roland and QSC Audio, among many others. It was DJ Expo’s 32^nd show in its 27 years.

DJ Expo presented informative and entertaining “Keynote Q&A” sessions from three industry notables – hip-hop legend Biz Markie, EDM hitmaker Laidback Luke and Madonna’s former tour DJ Enferno. At parties sponsored by Roland and Digital Music Pool, Expo attendees enjoyed performances by DJs like Biz Markie, Shortkut, Recloose and DJ Skribble. On the Expo showfloor, attendees caught sets by Talib Kweli, DJ Irie, Enferno, Ponfetti, and new DMC U.S. champ DJ Perly, among many others.

The Winners: Ricardo Medrano of LD DJs in Belleville, N.J., won the newly branded title, “Entertainer of the Year.” Hosted by Jake Jacobsen of Affair 2 Remember Entertainment, the annual competition bestowed awards in a variety of categories to the best of America’s mobile entertainers. In victory, Medrano earned a handsome trophy, plus gear prizes from sponsors Chauvet DJ (FXpar 9 effect) and Electro-Voice (Evolve50 active speaker system). Caroline Kurkowski of Upbeat Occasions in Albany, N.Y., was the competition’s runner-up.

Also, Erik Amerine of Sound Sensation in Royersford, Pa., won the Ultimate DJ Giveaway. The 17-year-old jock has only been spinning for two years and this haul will certainly help him raise his game. The system includes gear from the following sponsors: ADJ (2 Startec Stinger Spots, 2 Mega QA Go LED Pars and one Startec Boom Box FX2 effect); Global Truss America (ST-132 Crank Stand and transport bag); Mackie (Thump 15BST active speakers and Thump 18S subwoofer); and Pioneer DJ (BULIT8 studio monitors, DDJ-RZX controller and HDJ-2000MK2 headphones).

The Reaction: “In splitting the show between two venues, this year’s DJ Expo was certainly different, but we believe our shuttle system between the venues worked well – luckily, we heard lots of positives from attendees,” said Vinny Testa, Publisher/President of Testa Communications. “As always, the staff of DJ Expo and DJ Times thanks the exhibitors, sponsors, panelists and attendees for their continued support, going back 27 years to the show’s beginning. Stay tuned for announcements early next year about DJ Expo 2018.”

Response from exhibitors and attendees was effusive:

“DJ Expo 2017 was another great show!” – Geoff Short, Chauvet DJ, Sunrise, FL

“All in all, we had a great experience at DJ Expo this year.” – Paul Buckley, inMusic Brands, Cumberland, RI

“DJ Expo represents one of the only places where new gear is represented year after year specifically for DJs. No other show in the world (and I go to a lot) even comes close. This year did not disappoint and the energy and excitement around the show this year surpassed any show previously… DJ Expo is the place to be. My competitors actually fly in engineers to see what’s new, and that also doesn’t happen elsewhere, unless it’s the NAMM show.” – Christopher Roman, inMusic Brands, Cumberland, RI

“There are few places for DJs where you can learn new skills, genuinely network, and grow personally, as well as professionally – the DJ Expo is one of those places.” – Raj Thomas, BPM Media Group, San Diego, CA

“It was great to introduce our two new products, Amped Studio and HumBeatz, at DJ Expo. We had the opportunity to give personal demonstrations of the products and get instant feedback – and it has had an excellent impact on our growth already.” – Bil Bryant, Amptrack Technologies, Stockholm, Sweden

“If you’re serious about your career as a DJ, attending the DJ Expo in Atlantic City should be a priority. Not only are you able to check out the latest innovations in music gear, but the educational seminars and knowledge-sharing via networking are invaluable.” – Adam Dutch, Modulation Studios, Ocean City, MD

“Mackie had a blast at DJ Expo 2017! We were able to meet with DJs of all kinds about our new product and talk to them about purchasing PA systems.” – Shaunna Krebs, Mackie, Woodinville, WA

“The night time events went really well. Tuesday night’s Roland party with Biz Markie and Shortkut at Kiss Kiss was nuts! And, as always, the closing party with Skribble was a prime-time event.” – Tony Fernandez, Debonaire Entertainment, Richmond, VA

“DJ Expo is, by far, the biggest show floor of any DJ convention, bar none. If you’re looking for an opportunity to test-drive new gear, this is the place.” – Brian Buonassissi, B-Boy Productions, NYC

“It was another great year at DJ Expo. The education and networking at this show are unparalleled and the Expo floor is just awe-inspiring. And to top it off, the evening entertainment was handled impeccably. Thanks DJ Times for another awesome Expo! – Mike Walter, Elite Entertainment, Tinton Falls, NJ

“The DJ Expo always provides so much – no matter if you are a club DJ or a mobile DJ. There are no price tags on the experiences and knowledge we are able to take in. The educational seminars are not to be missed. Even if you pick up only one nugget, it could change your entire future. The DJ Expo is the only conference I never miss and attend every year – I would recommend it to any entertainer.” – Fox Feltman, BTA Entertainment, New Bern, NC

“The transitions between venues were great – really good stuff all the way around. DJ Times did a fantastic job with everything and re-inspired me to already want to come back next year. We keep getting new blood at the show and DJ Expo is making younger DJs get inspired and become successful. Thanks for all you do!” – Mark M. Brenneisen, Total Entertainment Music, Glens Falls, NY

“It was great to be at DJ Expo again! We’ll see you again next year.” – Lian Amber, Bassboss, Austin, TX

“The show was good exposure for our company.” – Tammy Fiscus, Adkins Professional Lighting, Akron, OH

“Just lock us in our spot for 2018! We enjoyed the show and can’t wait to be back next year!” – Hugo Drax, ADJA, Glendale, AZ

DJ Expo (www.thedjexpo.com) is produced by DJ Times magazine (www.djtimes.com) and its publisher Testa Communications, which is based in Port Washington, N.Y.