Published in the November 2006 issue
of DJ Times Magazine
Volume 19 - Number 11
By Stacy Zemon
Like the Jersey Shore itself, this year’s DJ Expo—held in Atlantic City this past August 21-24—was very wide reaching. Jam-packed with the usual winning combination of cutting-edge exhibits, must-attend seminars, and skill-sharpening workshops, jocks of all kinds converged, conversed and interacted with manufacturers and each other.
The major buzz this year? According to attendees we spoke to: “The Digital Age is Here!”
The Expo provided an abundance of learning opportunities. DJs also had plenty of time to “shoot the breeze” and swap “stories from the trenches” with old friends and new.
As a longtime attendee of the convention, DJ Bryan Foley’s favorite part has to do with connecting to his peers. “Building and renewing relationships recharges my batteries,” he says. “I love the networking, as well. These interactions with other DJs are hands-down the best experiences I bring home with me to Florida.”
Saratoga, N.Y.-based Cap Capello agrees that the best place to learn about the “business of the business” at conventions is through one-on-one conversations. “The hallways are always a favorite place to hang,” he says. “I meet great people with whom I converse on DJ forums daily, and reminisce with many of the old-timers who have grown this industry to where it is—and have even a greater idea where it’s going.”
Chiming in from Jacksonville, Fla., David Hanscom of Y? Entertainment Disc Jockeys concurs. “It’s always fun to catch up with friends from around the country,” he says, “and that may honestly be my favorite part of the Expo.”
These DJs are not shy about striking up conversations. They also know that a mutually beneficial interaction dictates that they not just ask a barrage of questions. Instead, they also share ideas, insights and personal experiences that are of interest to others.
Diving for Pearls
Every business owner and entertainer wants to make more money, and the savvy ones know that increasing their knowledge can directly impact the bottom line. The Expo’s stellar line-up of educational seminars and workshops provided a wealth of information for newcomers and veterans alike who went diving for “pearls of wisdom.”
Mike Walter of Elite Entertainment in Eatontown, N.J., wanted to find out exactly what is involved with adding photography as a service to his clients. He found his answers at the “Consolidating Your Business” seminar, moderated by fellow New Jersey DJ Gerry Siracusa. “I received vast amounts of information on this subject, including the start-up costs, challenges and everything else that is important to know.”
What will Walter do with his newfound “know-how”? “I still haven’t decided if I’ll add this service to my business,” he admits, “but at least I’ll be making an informed decision now!”
From across the state in Cherry Hill, Betsy Fischer (of Party Dancing with Betsy Fischer) came to the Expo as a woman on a mission. “I recently bought a new laptop loaded with software specifically for DJing that was manufactured in the UK,” she explains, “and it only had eight pages of minimal instructions that I could not understand. So, my main goal at the convention was to find someone who could walk me through the proper set-up.”
Fischer found a solution to her dilemma with help from two DJs who generously gave her 90 minutes of their time to assist with her plight. Says Fisher: “It is really wonderful to be part of an industry where people are so willing to share and help out their colleagues!”
Tom Ohlendorf of Good Knight Entertainment in Abingdon, Md., feels that the 2006 Expo was one of the most productive for him yet. “I came this year with lots of questions about video,” he says, “and after attending the ‘Video Montages’ seminar, walked away with a plan.”
Ohlendorf isn’t afraid to be the “first on his block” to use this technology. “I’ve noticed that some folks in my area are afraid of incorporating videos into their weddings,” he says, “so I guess I’m going to have to be the pioneer here in Baltimore.”
First-time Expo attendee DJ Mark Harman from Washington, D.C., came away with some valuable knowledge from the “Troubleshoot This” seminar. “It was hilarious and informative learning exactly why certain equipment just does not work and where it usually goes bad at events.
“I got so much from this convention that I am still trying to process it all,” continues Harman. “I have started implementing some of the techniques I learned from the numerous entertainers that I have now met face-to-face.”
For Lee Finkel of Optimum Productions in Commack, N.Y., the most inspiring part of the Expo was Bryan Dodge’s “How to Build a Better You” keynote speech. “It was remarkable,” he says. “After learning about success habits and ways to bring these proven techniques to my business, I plan on having my best year ever!”
In addition to attending seminars, Olendorf also spent a lot of time on the exhibit floor, and came away with quality information. Capello took advantage of a few really great pricing deals on video software and DVDs. Paul Evans of Silver Sound Disc Jockeys in Frazer, Pa., gives his “best of Expo exhibits” awards to Rane, Numark, Pioneer, Virtual DJ, Denon, Hercules, DJ Rak, Martin and Sunlite. George Whitehouse from A Goodtime DJ’s in Salem, N.H., was particularly impressed with Text Live. “For the DJ that uses video screens, this is a totally cool way to interact with event guests,” he says. “The fact that you can send a MMs Pix from a cell phone to the VJ’s screen for visual presentation is wicked-awesome!”
Even perennial performers and business owners can gain the competitive edge by constantly striving for improvement in all aspects of their professional and personal lives. There’s always something new to know, or a different perspective to learn that could make an amazing difference in your DJ career.
At the end of the Expo, DJs cast off, eager to begin charting their course to success because in this business, it’s either “sink or swim.”
Stacy Zemon is a 27-year industry veteran mobile, club, karaoke and radio DJ. She is author of The DJ Sales & Marketing Handbook and The Mobile DJ Handbook.
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