DJX ‘25: Top DJ Trade Show Marks 35 Years, Sets 2026 Dates
Atlantic City, N.J. – Back in the city where it all began with an inclusive “COME TOGETHER” theme, the 2025 edition of DJX hit a new milestone – the show celebrated its 35th anniversary.
Held this past Aug. 11-14 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on AC’s legendary Boardwalk, DJX’25 once again delivered the goods as the industry’s largest, longest-running, and most impactful gathering of DJs in the Americas. The show – produced by DJ LIFE magazine and Hazan Media Group – presented its time-tested combo of DJ-related technology exhibits, educational seminars, and sponsored After Dark parties.
2026 Show Dates: The next DJX is set for Aug. 10-13, 2026, at the same venue, Atlantic City’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
The Numbers: DJX’25 enjoyed a 6.3-percent increase in attendance from the 2024 show. The show had a 4.3-percent increase in paid all-access passes from the previous show. DJX’25 had attendees from 43 of the 50 United States and from 10 different countries.
The Show: DJX’25 delivered a packed schedule of exhibits, seminars, and sponsored parties. The show saw participation from exhibitor/sponsors like Pioneer DJ by AlphaTheta, QSC, DAS Audio, Electro-Voice, RCF USA, Mackie, Cerwin-Vega!, Pro X, Carnival Cruise Lines, Vibo, SMPL, JetPack, Artfox Lighting, and American Music and Sound (including Hercules, Reloop, Adam Audio, & Ecler). Additionally, DJX presented its nXt Summer Camp, Masterclasses, and THE EDIT.
Education: Along with its schedule of 35 topical seminars geared toward mobile, club, streaming, studio, and beginner jocks, DJX presented a trio of special “Keynote Q&A” sessions with industry notables. On Aug. 11, DJ White Shadow, the Grammy-winning DJ/producer for Lady Gaga, discussed his star-studded career on the decks and in the studio. On Aug. 12, hip-hop radio legend Kool DJ Red Alert – presented by Mo & Joe Electronics – took a trip down memory lane with an hour’s worth of great stories. On Aug. 13, Canadian turntablist Skratch Bastid – presented by Twitch – discussed his rise through the ranks and how he established his ultra-successful Bastid’s BBQ parties. Other sessions included a Vibo-sponsored CPR Certification class from Rachel Lynch and “Social Media Strategies for DJs” with DJ Cova and influencers Cleveland Terry, Jack Kristian, and “Justin the DJ” Stringfellow, plus sponsored seminars from Pioneer DJ by AlphaTheta, Carnival Cruise Line, Max Design, SMPL, Twitch, and Vibo.
Sunset Sessions / After Dark: DJX again presented the Sunset Sessions with networking events from QSC (Aug. 11), AlphaTheta (Aug. 12) and Mackie (Aug. 13), featuring music, food and drinks.
On Aug. 11, BASSBOSS and The MixHer presented SelectHER, an early evening event that featured an all-female DJ lineup that included Carnival Cruise DJs DJ ReRe and DJs Stephanie Stardust and Aye West. Later that night, at HQ2 at Ocean Casino Resort, a packed house enjoyed an evening with DJ White Shadow, who served up the hits and finished with a set of old-school hip hop jams.
On Aug. 12 at The Pavillion inside the Hard Rock, DAS Audio and JetPack Bags presented its “Twisted Tuesday” party, which featured legendary turntablists Babu and Shortkut from The Beat Junkies, plus DJ Immortal, Buck Rodgers, Cleveland Terry, DJ Dynamix and LoveSlap.
On Aug. 13 at The Balcony in the Hard Rock, DJX presented B2B parties. First up, the “Sonic Evolution: 35 Years of DJX” party, co-hosted by Jake Jacobsen and Mike Alevras, presented a cavalcade of mobile-friendly talent. Sponsored by AlphaTheta, Jet Pack Bags, and RCF, the lineup included Matt “Matthadder” Radicelli (Cleveland’s Mentor Pods), DJ Larry D (Virginia Beach’s Astro Event Company), house DJ Kid Kasper (Virginia’s B101.5 FM), and Jimmy Strange (Long Island’s Rhythm Force Entertainment).
Afterwards, Mell Starr & Friends presented its “Black & White Party.”Sponsored by AlphaTheta and RCF, the event included turntable masters Skratch Bastid, Shortkut, Buck Rodgers and host Mell Starr, who rocked it late into the night.
What’s New: DJX Pop-Up Dayz – a series of mobile pop-up events held in a fully wrapped DJX x DJ LIFE Lexus mobile DJ vehicle – ended the Road to DJX in AC after promoting the show at a variety of East Coast stops. DJX’25 introduced its Brand Box, an area on the show floor for helping DJ brands build a stronger foundation (featuring exhibitors like Twitch, Greenfeld Productions, & DJAAYZ) and launched the Cypher Social by DJX lounge, featuring four DJ stations in an open space on the show floor – the DJs’ version of an electronic drum circle. Additionally, Halucinated Studio provided the exhibit floor’s dazzling LED walls and video content on the mainstage (featuring overhead cams for stage performances) and the DJX Entry Tunnel, intertwined with art from 8G7 Art Crimes. Also, the newly founded Female DJ Council provided talent for the show’s registration area under the banner of “Registration Soundscapes,” Mo & Joe Electronics hosted the DJX Repair Shop, and Brody Baker from Los Angeles won the 35th Anniversary t-shirt design contest.
The Prizes: On Aug. 14, Kelli Newsom of KelliVision in Twinsburg, Ohio, won the Ultimate DJ Giveaway. The winning system included products from the following exhibitor/sponsors: Pioneer DJ by AlphaTheta (OPUS-QUAD DJ system, a pair of VM-80 monitors, and a pair of HDJ-F10-TX headphones); Rockville Audio (Rockville Podcast Kit); ProX (DJ Booth & Workstation with Scrim Kit); Mo & Joe Electronics (Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch); Odyssey (Vintage Series 12-inch Vinyl Records Case); Walkabout Carriers (Walkabout Pathfinder); Ultimate Ears (two pairs of UE-11 PRO in-ear monitors); Greenfeld Productions (EPK electronic press kit); and Other World Computing (2TB Envoy Pro Mini).
Also, DJX offered daily giveaways from the following brands: American Music & Sound/Reloop; Antari; Both Lighting; Carnival Cruise Line; Cerwin-Vega; Jet Pack Bags; Odyssey; SMPL; and StageWing.
The Reaction: “With DJX’25, we were happy and grateful to share our 35th anniversary with so many professionals – some newbies, plus many long-time DJX attendees,” said Jim Tremayne, Editor of DJ LIFEand a show organizer. “We believe the show hit new heights and the industry continued to show its strength. As always, we at DJX and DJ LIFEmagazine thank the exhibitors, sponsors, performers, panelists, and attendees for their participation and support. Thanks to them, the show has reached another significant milestone – 35 years.”
“With another transformative show, DJX ’25 really lived up to the name of our ‘COME TOGETHER’ theme,” said Shawn Hazan, President/CEO of Hazan Media Group. “Now with its 35-year anniversary, the show has continued to set the standard, and we’re thrilled for the continued support from the exhibitors, sponsors and attendees. DJX remains the industry’s must-attend experience.”
The response from exhibitors and attendees was upbeat:
“We look forward to DJX every year, and 2025 was no exception. Our entire team walked away inspired and excited by the energy and creativity from the artists and attendees, and we are continually honored that we are able to be a part of such a fantastic community.”
– Hector Escobedo, AlphaTheta Music Americas, Torrance, CA
“DJX’25 was nothing short of electric – every moment reminded us why this culture is so influential. Being there, connecting with DJs, brands, and innovators from all over the world, was both an honor and an inspiration,
– Mike Garrett, 2DJs/1 Mic, Dallas
“We love coming to DJX – every year the show keeps getting better and better! We’ve been doing this show for many years now and it has help our business grow in sales and in brand recognition. More than a traditional trade show, the overall experience and good vibes are what sets DJX apart.”
– Yen Lim, JetPack Bags, Santa Ana, CA
“As a business owner in the entertainment industry, DJX is one of the most valuable investments I make every year. The combination of top-tier education, meaningful networking opportunities, and the massive expo floor makes it a must-attend event for any professional looking to grow. This year’s DJX25 was no exception. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned pro, DJX is not just about the gear. It is about building a better business.”
– Chuck Zerambo, Sir Charles Distinctive Entertainment, Bristol, PA
“It was our pleasure. Thank you so much for having us out this year. We look forward to hopefully iterating for next year! Really enjoyed working together with the team.”
– Sydney Golombek, Twitch, Los Angeles
“We do almost all the conventions on the circuit, and I must tell you: Working with you is a breath of fresh air. Keep up the great work! We look forward to continuing to work together.”
– Matt Radicelli, Mentor Pods, Cleveland
“DJX did it again! They organized and executed an incredible week for DJs, filled with inspiring education, a showroom floor packed with the latest and greatest new equipment and evening entertainment that reminded us our industry is all about partying and celebrating. I can’t wait to see what 2026 brings!”
– Mike Walter, Elite Entertainment, Tinton Falls, NJ
“It was an absolute pleasure speaking on the sports panel at DJX’25. I truly enjoyed being part of the conversation and would be more than happy to participate on future panels or educational sessions whenever the opportunity arises. Overall, I thought the event was a great success.”
– John Murray, JAMMIN’ DJs/Atlanta Braves, Atlanta
“The show provided us an opportunity to interact directly with a significant customer base that is laser-focused on the DJ market. Overall, DJX was a big benefit to us in many ways, and we look forward to being back in 2026.”
– Andy Rossi, Cerwin-Vega!, Los Angeles
“DJX’25 had everything you would want a big anniversary number to have to generate excitement. It had incredible educational opportunities with fantastic seminar presenters, an awesome show floor, and fun night events for all of us! I look forward to it every year! Can't wait for DJX’26!”
– Jake Jacobsen, A2R Entertainment, Cumming, GA
“DJX is always an amazing show – congratulations to you guys on another great year!”
– Jack Kristian, Platinum Events, Dennison, TX
“DJX was a great experience! As a speaker, it was awesome to get a chance to pass on some knowledge to other DJs, and I'm extremely grateful to do that. There were so many parties with great DJ talent and a wide-range of seminars that hit a variety of topics so that everyone had something they could benefit from. If you're looking for a big conference with lots to offer in a really cool hotel, definitely consider checking out DJX.”
– Alex Updike, Bass & Bliss, Bentonville, AK
“DJX is a wonderful conference with education, networking, and technology for the DJ industry. They have a diverse set of seminars catering to different levels of DJs and have successfully retained the next generation of DJs at the event, securing the future of our industry.”
– DJ Alex Brown, Providence, RI
“DJX ’25 was another success. The new presenters for the show’s education panels were top-notch. The networking and conversations I had with attendees were great and I made some valuable contacts. Congrats DJX on 35 years. Here’s to the next 35.”
– Michael Alevras, Hudson Valley Event Group, Washingtonville, NY
“Being part of DJX’s 35th anniversary was a full-circle moment for me. The love, the learning, and the legacy—it reminded me exactly why I do what I do. Thank you, DJX, for creating a space where DJs can evolve, connect, and celebrate the craft.”
– DJ Lisa Love. The DJ Embassy, Bensalem, PA
“We loved the show and will keep coming back!”
– Troy Adams, Carolina DJ Professionals, Charlotte
“The energy, focus, and enthusiasm that filled the showfloor were absolutely contagious, reminding me why this industry continues to inspire me after all these years. Beyond the business success, reconnecting and networking with such a passionate and creative community was both rewarding and motivating.”
– Jason Longobardo, Mackie, Trumbull, CT
“DJX didn't just support us, they validated us. This was more than a female DJ showcase – it was a shift! We saw little girls watching in awe and DJs of all ages performing proudly for a community. The validation is sure to ripple across the industry. "
– Stephanie Rivkin, The Female DJ Council, Berlin, CT
“DJX was an amazing experience, engaging and full of amazing people. I made valuable connections, sold out on a bunch of merch, have a ton of orders to fulfill, and left inspired by the energy and starstruck by the community!”
– Manny Hidalgo, 8G7 Art Crimes, Chicago
“Exhibiting at this year’s DJX Show was a transformative experience for us at Halucinated Studios. It allowed us to showcase our creativity and team synergy on a grand stage. We’re confident that this exposure will be a pivotal step in growing our business and continuing to push creative boundaries.”
– Steve Ortiz Lucin, Halucinated Studios, NYC