EDUCATION AT DJX

Meet fellow DJ/professionals, exchange business cards, and then prepare for a big week of networking, education, and enlightenment.

Mike Walter has always believed that his clients deserve awesome customer service, and the way to truly stand out as a mobile DJ is to respect clients’ wishes and throw parties in their style. He not only believes this personally, but he’s instilled these traits in every DJ who works for his company, Elite Entertainment. In this seminar, the New Jersey-based DJ vet will offer tips on: how great customer service helps closing sales; the right questions to ask in your consultations to discover your client’s vision; being agreeable without being a “Yes Man or Woman”; exceeding your client’s expectations with personalization; and throwing great parties in a variety of different style. If you want to sharpen your skills in the mobile-entertainment business, learn from the best – and at DJX, Mike Walter always brings it.

As one of the most profitable, yet elusive sectors of the mobile-entertainment world, bar/bat mitzvahs are highly desirable gigs for DJs all over the continent. However, booking these events can be a challenge – so how’s it done? DJX presenters Jordan St. Jacques (Ottawa’s Disc Jockey Marketing) and Ross Akselrad (Philly’s Pulse Entertainment) have the answers. With their hard-hitting, hour-long seminar, they’ll outline how to position yourself digitally for mitzvah-specific customers (selling to both the parent and the child), and then how reach out to make the sale. Finally, they’ll teach you how to perform this very specialized event. From sales to performance, this session will set you straight on the mitzvah market.

Looking to book more low-key Friday and Sunday gigs? Interested in a New Year's Eve gig in Cabo? Want to DJ for top brands like Victoria's Secret? Open for Snoop Dogg? Veteran West Coast DJ The Track Star (aka Staci Nichols) books gigs like these on Thumbtack and The Bash year-round. She'll teach you step-by-step how to make these sites profitable for you: which profile settings and options to choose so you weed out undesirable clients, how to create a killer profile, and exactly what to say in your quotes and follow-ups.

They don’t call him The DJ Coach for nothing… HAPA has blended his 20-plus years of experience as a DJ with a deep passion for teaching its craft. In addition to sharing stages with artists like Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars and Drake, his clients include Microsoft, ESPN, and The Grammys – so his impressive list of accomplishments gives him a unique standing in the DJ space as a mentor. HAPA’s DJ-class teachings (online or in-person) are informed by the fact that he’s always been on the cutting-edge of music, education and technology and is well-versed and certified in every major hardware or software brand in the DJ space – and now his attentions are expanding to VR and the Metaverse. His inspiring, personal story of overcoming life-threatening obstacles lays the foundation of a career that’s as much about paying it forward as it is his wide-ranging musical accomplishments. Join us for a special DJX Keynote Q&A.

With more than 13,000 members, DJ Idea Sharing is one of social media's most popular private groups. Opened as a Facebook group in 2007, DJ Idea Sharing remains a place where professional DJs share and learn. Moderated by DJ Idea Sharing founder Mike Fernino, this 90-minute session will discuss a range of vital, DJ-specific issues. Speed-round topics will include performance, audio/lighting gear, industry trends, marketing, problem-solving and much more. Want to leave DJX with ideas that will immediately boost your DJ career? Participate in this multi-topic, speed-round session and become enriched.

BASSBOSS Designer David Lee knows more than a little bit about subwoofers – in fact, he’s made a career of them. In this exclusive DJX presentation, he’ll deliver an hour of crucial advice for DJs looking to maximize their low-frequency game. Are you shopping for subs? David Lee will offer tips on what to look for and what to avoid when boosting the bass in your rig. How should you best place subs at a DJ gig or in a studio? He’s got you covered – this seminar will provide deep insights for all your sub-related questions.

Yes, the COVID lockdown is over and the venues have re-opened. But, as we’ve certainly noticed, there are still issues in the world of DJ gear – with supply-chain problems leading the way. Nonetheless, the gigs go on, the DJ scene has evolved to include new segments (like content-creation technologies), and the latest products trickle through to the marketplace. What’s the latest on these issues and what are the new industry developments? This seminar will give you the straight dope and the latest tips – and it’ll explain how you benefit from these new technologies. 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.

How do you keep the gigs coming? Jerry Bazata of DJ Jaz Music and Entertainment of Ogunquit, Maine, has answers. In this detailed session, Bazata will show DJs how to create a primary source of leads through a referral network that reduces overall advertising costs and fills open spot on the calendar. A banker by trade, Bazata in 2018 applied those skills and knowledge to his DJ business. In 2022, every booked event on his calendar came from a direct-referral source that he cultivated among his peers in the service and wedding industries. Learn simple techniques and practices that develop your brand as a trusted advisor in the market and create a continuous source of leads for your business. The take-aways from his seminar are actions and tools that are not tasks, but routines that become part of your everyday marketing efforts. Attend this valuable seminar and learn how to pile up the leads.

We design incredible events for others, but have you designed your greatest event — your life? Have you put together a daily plan that helps you reach your professional and personal goals? DJ Troy Adams of Carolina DJ Professionals will give you the techniques and tools to design the most memorable event you'll ever be part of. Learn how to set big goals in a S.M.A.R.T.E.R. way. Convert goals into MDBs (minimum daily behaviors). Create a system to implement behaviors and track progress. Build a daily schedule that inspires you.

Pioneer DJ is ushering in a new era of turntablism with its first controller with motorized platters – the DDJ-REV7 for Serato DJ Pro – and a new introductory battle mixer for Serato DJ Pro – the DJM-S5. Join Pioneer DJ’s own DJ Jay Brannan and Pri Yon Joni for an in-depth and interactive demonstration of the brand’s latest products to suit turntablists of all skillsets.

GIVEAWAY ALERT: One lucky attendee will leave with a brand new DJM-S5! Must be present to win.

In this informative and inspiring seminar presented by CHAUVET DJ, South Dakota-based jock Jeremy Brech (DJ Jer) shares real-world examples of how to create the best event experiences through lighting, while maximizing lighting in your performances. How? By mixing cutting-edge, new technology with tried-and-true techniques and gear. As DJ Jer will show you, it all adds up to increased profit potential for your entertainment business.

This open discussion and networking experience will address challenges women face in today’s music-industry landscape. Hear from accomplished DJs like Rachel Lynch, Neeek Nyce, Chitown Shani and Melissa Nikita, plus industry professionals like BASSBOSS CEO Lian Amber, as they share their experiences and perspectives on navigating the road ahead. Co-moderated by Tina Dixon (Production Manager for NYC’s WHCR-FM/co-founder of the World Wide DJ Network) and WWDJN chapter president DJ Reddz (The Lady DJ Alliance), this 75-minute “Ladies-Only” session will encourage open conversation/networking and offer a Q&A.

Alan Kohn of Premier Entertainment DJ Services of Danbury, Conn., has been a leading country-music DJ for years now. But his success doesn’t just come from his musical selections – it’s also the participatory line-dances that he and his talented crew perform that get his parties started. See how it’s done in both mobile and club settings, and prepare to cut the rug yourself.

If there's a Holy Grail of the mobile-entertainment industry, it's being put on a venue's Preferred-Vendor List. The problem is… every other mobile jock knows this and the competition to get on these lists is intense. So, how do you gain an edge to compete for these spots? How do you win? DJX presents a panel with trio of pros – tech evangelist/moderator Jordan St. Jacques (Canada’s Digitera), plus mobile entrepreneurs Ross Akselrad (Philly’s Pulse Entertainment), and Ken Cosco (Boston’s A Touch of Class DJs) – who’ll show you the way. Learn how to: set up your digitals so you project professionalism to anyone looking you up online; properly approach venues to get on those valuable lists; maximize referral commissions; and service the venue clients in a manner that impresses both the client and venue. As a bonus, we’ll offer recommendations on how to deal with overzealous venues when they try to “push the envelope too hard.” Get listed and advance.

Back for his 15th consecutive DJX session, Jake Jacobsen of Georgia’s A2R Entertainment will bring forth a slew of new party games for mobile jocks looking to take the very latest back to their various markets. Annually, one of the most-joyous and participation-filled seminars at DJX, this session will bring the kid out in everyone.

Looking for inspiration to make your way up the ladder of musical success in the Latin space? Join LMXX – aka Latin Mix, a national collective for Latin DJs – and hear stories of triumph from some of the top talents in the various genres of Latin music (reggaeton, bachata, merengue, salsa, cumbia, Regional Mexican, dembow, etc.). From the bedroom to the DJ booth, from the laptop to the professional studio, accomplished DJ/producers, remixers and radio talents will share with you the secrets of success. Moderated by LMXX founder Kevin Montano, the session will include top jocks like DJ Pereira of New York’s La X 96.3 FM; LeXeDIT, one of the top editors in the game; and DJ Kazzanova, a remixer extraordinaire/radio talent.

Are you a DJ just starting out and looking to make your way in this business? Or even a more-seasoned jock who just can’t seem to fully organize, or book those higher-end events? Join Philly’s Neeek Nyce (aka Vernique Fields of Into Fields Live Entertainment) for a session that can help start your DJ business, or serve as a much-needed refresher course, as she’ll explain the ins and outs of starting and operating your own successful DJ business. Topics include: the difference between a hobbyist DJ and a professional; how to promote your services as a beginner; establishing your lane/niche; building a professional portfolio; pricing and understanding your value; contracts, invoicing, and proposals; client communications; gear investment; and more.

The pandemic created havoc for many bar/bat mitzvah DJs, but also some opportunities, and even better connections. Adam Hirschhorn, owner of AJH Entertainment in Marlboro, N.J., helms a roundtable discussion with other mitzvah jocks to talk about the evolving marketplace and trends, and the ever-evolving mitzvah event.

For the past decade and more, Markus Schulz has been one of the world’s most popular DJ/producers. Known for his euphoric trance sets and hard-hitting tracks, the Miami-based talent is the only jock to be voted “America’s Best DJ” three times (2012, 2014, and 2018). Join us for this up-close session as the fan-friendly Schulz recounts his success story – going mobile to global. He’ll explain how – through a combination of talent, desire, and work ethic – he moved his way up the DJ ladder from spinning mobiles and clubs in Boston and Phoenix to playing some of the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals, to successfully running Coldharbour Recordings since 2013 and delivering his Global DJ Broadcast since 2002. Prepare to be inspired.

The last thing you wanted to do when you started your journey as a working DJ was run a business. Yet many DJs start or continue to use archaic processes that take up too much of their time and energy, and ultimately cost them business. This is where Event Management Platforms (EMPs) come in. Lou Paris (Paris Creative, cue) discusses what EMPs are, what they can do for you, and how they can bring order to your chaotic DJ life.

Blogging is the No. 1 way to get your DJ-website to rank on Google. Like any online marketing, though, you need a strategy. In this session, Nicole Otero of NYC’s TCM DJ Events – who has played everything from hip, underground parties to massive, private events – will show you the way. She’ll walk you, step-by-step, through all the tools and strategies she employed to get her website to rank on Page No. 1 of Google (for the keyword “wedding DJ”) in just six months. Topics include: basics on SEO, local SEO and organic traffic; how to get your website noticed on Google; identifying keywords for your specific market; and having a good workflow (CRM system) for a strong conversion rate. With teaching experience that ranges from Tisch/NYU’s The Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music and the Scratch DJ Academy, Otero has plenty to offer – listen, learn, and profit.

Do you realize that, as a DJ of any calling, you are also a marketer? Many successful music professionals expand their reach and brand via platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. By using these platforms correctly, you’re reaching the multitudes in ways that many established brands dream of. Want to profit and raise your DJ profile at the same time? Interested to work with brands in both the consumer and professional spaces? Join moderator DJ Cova, himself a much-followed Twitch Partner, with a group of experts in the field who will show you what it takes to become an effective influencer. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned professional, learn step-by-step on how to grow your influence, business, and brand.

Looking for quick-and-easy solutions that will make your life and career more profitable and efficient? Join DJ Washburn and DJ Tori Vee from Washburn Entertainment in Ithaca, N.Y., and load up on wisdom as they will be covering more than 40 hacks in this fast-paced informative session. DJ-hack topics will include marketing, social media, internal business, set-up/breakdown, mixing, MCing, weddings, vendor relations, and education. Listen, learn, take pictures, and return home with a slew of ideas sure to lessen your stress and increase your revenue!

Presented by Joshua Lask of LB Entertainment in Monroe, N.Y., this new seminar will explain how, through tight business management, LB Entertainment went from a single-DJ operation to an event group with entertainment, photography, event rentals and consulting within two years. By explaining 10 crucial areas of business, this seminar will empower and enable people to push past their comfort zones and handle or delegate important tasks to ensure proper and profitable growth. Topics include: organizational structure for the business; delegation and team-building; cash-flow management and accounts receivable; budgeting for scaled growth; mergers and acquisitions; benefits of having employees, as opposed to contractors; how to network and whom to network with; dominating your marketplace; preparing for a sale or retirement; and disaster-planning (for the business). Looking to really grow your DJ business? Start right here.

As our country continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19, multi-op owners are faced with staffing shortages, a situation coupled with an increased demand for their services. Many single-op DJs want to capitalize on the surge of inquiries and interest by recruiting and training exclusive DJs. It’s more important than ever to be able to grow an exclusive high-performance team with both integrity and efficiency. With that in mind, join David Osborne of Sound Insight in Athens, Ga., whose detailed tutorial with show DJs how to increase income, while minimizing stress level. DJX attendees will learn strategies for such topics as: types of growth; experienced DJs/subcontractors; new DJs/employees; setting goals for team growth (both quantity and quality); recruiting talent; interview techniques to “filter out the fluff”; virtual/hybrid training systems to get your new staff working as quickly as possible; mentor programs with existing staff; and building a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Marketing to schools is perhaps the hardest sales challenge within the mobile-entertainment industry. Even in 2022, reaching the cloistered decision-makers in the “walled gardens” at schools can be incredibly difficult, especially in an age where digital privacy is so important. So, how to get in? Join us, as Jordan St. Jacques of Canada’s Digitera, along with Ross Akselrad (Philly’s Pulse Entertainment) and Derek Panell (Rhode Island’s New England Proms), present you the keys to the schoolhouse door. In this knowledge-filled session, they’ll explain how to configure your digital funnel for school committees, how to go over the latest trends in cutting through the “walled gardens,” and finally, how to make the sale. Bonus Info: They’ll divulge methods for convincing schools to spend a proper fee on the DJ contract, demonstrate prom performance tips and reveal where to source song lists. Be true to your school – and profit.

With this info-filled presentation, North Carolina’s DJ Eyecon (aka Charles Seaton) will moderate a panel of industry leaders to discuss the why and the how of content creation for mobile entertainers/entrepreneurs. Learn how to raise and maintain your profile by creating consistent online content. Learn the strategies, the mechanics, and the gear necessary to create impressive content that’ll benefit your DJ career. From cameras to editing software, from content-posting to social avenues, this session will offer it all. Panelists to include industry leaders like Joe Bunn, Jason Jani, Nick Spinelli, DJ Barr, Rick Webb and Cleveland Terry. Bring your questions to the panel because these pros will have all the tips to help you stand out in your market and beyond.

DJ Chris D'Amico from D'Amico Entertainment in New Jersey uses real-life examples to help you chart mental strategies to keep you going in the face of adversity.  Learn how to turn negatives into positives, how to get out of your own way, and the importance of always remembering your "why."

Join us for a casual conversation with the creators of Beatsource on the streaming revolution and the evolution of DJ technology – past, present, and future. Topics include: the timeline evolution of DJing; ways to elevate current DJ workflow; music licensing; ethics of acquiring music for performance purposes; and how DJs can get their original songs onto Beatsource. Presented by Beatsource’s Styles Davis, the session will also include Serato’s OP Miller, Crate Hackers’ Aaron Traylor and open-format/mobile DJ Rachel Lynch.

GIVEAWAY ALERT: Extended trials to Beatsource.

What does it take to become a successful DJ? How does a jock start from scratch and launch a successful career? With a little help from his friends, Philly’s Greg Curran of The DJ Entertainment School/Curran Entertainment/The Senate DJs will show you the way. He’ll explain what equipment you need and its expenditure, what skills must be perfected (mic work, gear hook-up, etc.), how to get gigs and how to carry yourself in a professional manner. He’ll also explain the benefits of social-media marketing/SEO and how posting on Instagram and TikTok can be good for starting and maintaining your new DJ business. Co-presenters include Patrick Danaher of The Senate DJs/Gulf Coast Sounds and Hugh Riley of The Pros Weddings/Wedding Bug Studios.

If you want something done right, sometimes you just gotta do it yourself. The same can be said with starting a career in clubland or the DJ world – launch the party yourself, raise your DJ profile, reap the benefits! In this informative and inspiring session, DJ LIFE Editor Jim Tremayne will discuss with DJ/promoters how they got their own long-running parties started, how it benefitted their careers, and, ultimately, how it germinates clubland and helps fuel the DJ scene. Panelists include New York’s Sleepy & Boo, Mikey Tello of Pillowtalk/Housepitality, and Herbert Holler of the Freedom Party.

Come see the system that is becoming the new industry standard. SMPL System has been custom-built for today's DJ by today's DJ, bringing the tools and technology needed to help run your business. Stop by our booth and seminar room for a live demonstration and get to speak directly to our programmers.

Are you a DJ that was all-in on live streaming in 2020-21, but question its value now over real gigs? Are you a DJ that saw the success of other DJs live-streaming, but feel that now it's too late in the game to even bother to try? Join live-streaming pioneer DJ Mike Márquez as he shows you the keys to maximizing live-streaming to, not only be successful online, but in real-life as well. The NYC-based Márquez will explain the non-technical tips you need to elevate your DJ streams and the importance of live-streaming to a DJ’s brand. He’ll also show you how to utilize live-streaming to attract more business and gigs, all while using tools already at your disposal. Elevate your DJ career with this DJX exclusive session.

DJs, how do you know if you have the right rig for the gig? Need some useful advice on picking a sound system and setting it up in a variety of venues? Or are you just looking to enrich your general knowledge in pro audio? Tony Fernandez of Richmond, Va., has a deep history of both DJing and sound reinforcement. In this session, he’ll explain all the options on the types of sound systems, what kinds of systems fit best with particular events and why, and how to make sure you’re prepared for any gig – in any venue.

Is your DJ company prepared to spring to the next level? Are you ready for an endorsement deal that will help flex your brand and create even bigger opportunities? Hosted by DJ Brooklyn Zay (aka Xavier Powell from Sounds of Jersey), this action-packed session will show you the way. The VODKILA-endorsed DJ will explain how he landed his lucrative deal and how you can prepare for the same. Topics include: creating policies and procedures for your business; becoming attractive for endorsement deals; creating a brand promise that will stand apart; and delivering a customer experience that will be different. Prepare for the future and expand your brand.

Looking to move up in the DJ world? Is your career ready for the next big step? Creating your own dancefloor music and spinning a radio-style mix show are great ways to get your name out there and further perpetuate your brand. Hear a panel of studio and mix-show vets explain their methods and motivations – and offer valuable advice and tech tips for upstarts. Moderated by DJ LIFE Editor Jim Tremayne, the session will include The Scene Kings, Sleepy & Boo, LODATO, DJ Skribble, MetroMix’s John Hohman, and more.

In 2004, Jordan St. Jacques of Canada’s Digitera launched FX, a teen club-night brand that eventually became the largest such company in the world. After promoting and producing teen-night events in over 25 cities in the U.S. and Canada, St. Jacques became an expert on the market, and now he’s ready to share his secrets with you. Join Jordan as he explains how to launch such a brand and how to use it to complement your existing DJ business. He'll show you how to add revenue on “dark nights,” how to run a successful promotion, how to protect yourself with specific insurance, how to increase your attendance via digital marketing and, finally, how to brand your company so that you’re well-positioned to book more prom, homecoming, and college business.

DJX’s opening-night attraction, Markus Schulz, is the only jock voted “America’s Best DJ” three times (2012, 2014, and 2018). Known for his euphoric trance sets and hard-hitting tracks, the Miami-based Schulz has worked his way up the DJ ladder from spinning mobiles and clubs in Boston and Phoenix to playing some of the world’s most prestigious clubs and festivals. He’s also successfully run his label, Coldharbour Recordings, since 2013.

This event is open to All DJX Pass holders.

Prizes from Bose, Jetpack, Ortofon, Breathe... Salt Spa, and Resynate

DJX’22 attendees can enjoy the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean, while dancing with Silent Sound System’s LED headphones. The Sunset Silent Disco will feature performances by DJ Express, Dave Mass, DJ Kevin Kong, DJ Freedom, each spinning multiple genres of music.

This event is open to All DJX Pass holders.

Featuring sets by B-SIDE, Chuwe and the world-famous DJ Craze (3x back-to-back DMC World Champ), “Twisted Tuesday” will offer the best beats on the beach with its very best sound system.

This event is open to All DJX Pass holders. Limited capacity; priority for All Access and VIP passes.

Prizes from Bose, Jetpack, Ortofon, Breathe... Salt Spa, and Resynate

DJX & INNOFADER invite you to become a part of history by setting the record for largest back-to-back “DJ juggle.”

The “Turning the Millennium” party will feature music from 1990 to 2010. Join co-hosts Jake Jacobsen of Georgia’s A2R Entertainment and Mike Alevras as they present North America’s best DJ/MCs. DJ Kid Kasper will be on the decks with DJ Reel providing visuals – with special guest Joe Bermudez. Also featuring Cliff Masina, Triple Threat & Jay Berkowitz.The event will present a door prize to one lucky party attendee.

This event is open to All Access and VIP Pass holders.

Close DJX’22 right with a blowout party featuring top-flight DJ talent repping a variety of genres. Prizes, giveaways & more provided by these friends of DJX – 12inchSkinz, BassBoss, Reloop, ProX, Hercules, Jetpack, Glowtronics, DMC USA, Custom Litt & Ortofon. Featured Performer or presenter/host: Featuring DJ Skribble, Mel Starr, LODATO, DJ Throdown (DMC 2x Champ), DJ Ragoza, Keith Shocklee (Public Enemy), As One and surprise guests!

This event is open to All DJX Pass holders.