2008 Mobile Beat DJ Show and Conference for the ADJA

The recently concluded 2008 Mobile Beat DJ Show and Conference represented a phenomenal showing for The American Disc Jockey Association. As a major sponsor for the event, the ADJA was everywhere! DJs started arriving into town days before as they began to get comfortable with the newly remodeled Riviera Hotel and Casino located right on the Las Vegas strip.

As many early arrivals started to travel about the new multi-million dollar Riviera Conference Center, it became quite apparent very early on that this years conference was about to become something very special. The ADJA was quick to get things started Monday morning by hosting our second annual ADJA Leadership Training Day. Dozens of ADJA Chapter Directors from across the country were represented as a full day of sessions commenced that addressed everything from monthly meeting content to chapter development. The response, training and motivation set the perfect course for the remainder of the week.

Tuesday morning saw more than 1000 DJs converge upon the conference center as the welcome announcement and subsequent dialog surprised industry leader Mark Ferrell with a very deserving Lifetime Achievement Award. The appreciative audience gave Mr. Ferrell a standing ovation. The keynote was given by famed Guerrilla Marketing originator Jay Conrad Levinson. The response to his presentation, along with other first day seminars from Randy Bartlett and Peter Merry, was among the most favorable opening day starts the Mobile Beat DJ Show has ever seen. The buzz was electric.

The ADJA National Meeting wrapped up the days events as a detailed scripted program got underway to an audience of more than 500 DJs. The program included awards, giveaways, the year in review, the announcement of the Mitzvah Guild and strategic alliances with NACE, The Knot and special recognition of sponsors and programs relevent to the progression of the organization. The continuance of programs such as our highly acclaimed “webinars” along with free website templates and hosting for all members were excitedly received by everyone in attendence. So too, did the continual tone that shaped our vision for the future. This seemed to resonate very well with the audience. The inclusion of newly created “success story” testimonials afforded a uniquely personal touch unlike anything ever enjoyed at one of our national meetings. The meeting continued with many unique elements that broke new ground for the ADJA. An unavoidable delayed start combined with some well received off-scripted moments added to what was probably the most lengthy, but most information-packed national meeting our organization has ever enjoyed.

Next, it was time to unwind as the ADJA was represented once again as a contributing sponsor to the Tuesday night concert featuring Freedom Williams and Tone Loc. These two hip hop icons gave an entertaining performance of their hits to a standing room only crowd. It bears mentioning that as a sponsor we were unaware the on-stage verbal tone would become as contentious as it did. Though the excessive use of profanity was unexpected and out-of-our-control . . . we still wish to take this opportunity to apologize to any of our members who may have been offended by this continual use of expletives. Obviously, sponsoring events of this nature is something we will have to look at very closely in the future as it can reflect poorly on any industry sponsor.

Wednesday saw the opening of the exhibit floor. This is where the culmination of being a major show sponsor and having a tremendously informative national meeting came together to elevate our organization to its true potential as the nations leading association for mobile DJs. Our exhibit hall booth was packed for two straight days. Not only was our booth busier than any other trade show we have been at . . . it remained one of the busiest booths of the entire show. The response was phenomenal as we experienced record sign-ups of over 100 DJs. I would like to extend my personal “thanks” on behalf of a greatful organization for the many directors, officers and members who “stepped up” to assist our efforts in our booth.

It bears mentioning that the seminar line-up at this years event was probably the best of all time. Since the inception of the Mobile Beat Conferences we have probably never seen a speaker line-up that so greatly included members within our organization. Yes, we have come a long way from the early days when we were happy to be occasionally mentioned or recognized at a seminar. It really helps demonstrate that the ADJA has been embraced by the overwhelming majority of industry leaders. Seminars from; Randy Bartlett, Lisa and Peter Merry, Larry Williams, Mike Walter, Ken Day, Manny Otero and others set an example to many onlookers of the proud nature and standard that accompanies membership in the ADJA.

I would like to thank Denon for their generous sponsorship of our final day giveaway as two Denon HD2500 units were raffled off to newly signed up members. This was a fantastic way to conclude the best Mobile Beat Conference we have ever participated in. So many members, sponsors, cooperative partners and people discovering the ADJA for the very first time came together to embrace our vision of unity and progression for mobile DJs and our industry. I truly believe we will all look back on this particular event as a milestone inclusion for our organization. I am confident it will be remembered as one that set a significant positive tone of unity in our efforts to become an organization that is known for our sincere efforts to help DJ build and grow their business.

It certainly is testament to our mission statement . . . if we work together, imagine what we can do!