As announced at the 2011 ADJA National meeting in Las Vegas Nevada, where we announced the Certified Professional Master of Ceremonies credential we indicated that there would be additional credentialing programs established as time went on in 2011. It has taken us a bit longer than expected but in keeping with that promise, the American Disc Jockey Association is pleased to announce its increased emphasis and focus upon education and recognizing the educational pursuits of our members. Our members have requested additional credentialing to augment the existing Continuing Education Credits program and the Certified Professional Master of Ceremonies or the CPMC for some time.

We are pleased to add the following new credentialing opportunities for our members recognition and advancement they are:

1.) CPME Certified Professional Mitzvah Entertainer
A.) 5 letters of reference from other event professionals in their market relating to their Mitzvah Entertainer abilities.
B.) Pass an Oral test on knowledge of the Mitzvah celebration.
C.) At least 5 videos of no more than 10min in length each demonstrating their skills at various aspects of a Mitzvah.
D.) 5 letters of reference from past Clients willing to be contacted by ADJA.

this credential will be highlighted on the Mitzvah Guild website and will carry an enhanced listing.  For those entertainers who have earned their CPME.

2.) CPKH Certified Professional Karaoke Host
A.) 5 letters of reference from other event professionals in their market relating to their Hosting abilities.
B.) 3 letters of reference from past venues where you have provided Karaoke Hosting services for atleast 6 weeks each.
C.) At least 5 videos of no more than 10min in length each demonstrating their Hosting skills as a Karaoke Host.
D.) Submission to an audit of your Karaoke Library to validate your use of a legal Karaoke Library.

We are very excited to assist Sound Choice and Chartbusters assist in this process to help elevate and improve the karaoke industry.  This credential will be highlighted on the new American Karaoke Host website, as well as the AKJA website where we will place increasing emphasis on educating venues and consumers about the importance of hiring professional karaoke hosts.
ADJA members that indicate in their profiles that they provide Karaoke will also be listed on these new websites free of charge!

3.) CPSE Certified Professional School Event Entertainer
A.) 5 letters of reference from other event professionals in their market relating to their School Event DJ abilities.
B.) 3 Letters of reference from schools where you have performed recently willing to be contacted by ADJA.
C.) At least 5 videos of no more than 10min in length each demonstrating their school event skills at various types of school
      events.

4.) CPWE Certified Professional Wedding Entertainer
A.) 5 letters of reference from other event professionals in their market relating to their abilities as a wedding entertainer.
B.) 3 of the last schedules or planners or scripts that they prepared for use as a Wedding Entertainer.
C.) 5 letters of reference from past clients willing to be contacted by ADJA.
D.) At least 5 videos of no more than 10min in length each demonstrating their skills as a wedding DJ.
E.) 4 continuing education credits relating to the role of a Wedding Entertainer such as love story workshops, grand
      entrance workshops etc.

This credential can be a great first step for those that desire it towards attaining a Wedding Entertainment Director status from the Wed Guild.

5.) CPYE Certified Professional Youth Events Entertainer
A.) 5 letters of reference from other event professionals in their market relating to their Youth Event abilities.
B.) 3 letters of reference from recent past clients willing to be contacted by ADJA..
C.) At least 5 videos of no more than 10min in length each demonstrating their skills at various types of Kids events.

6.) CPLE Certified Professional Latin Events Entertainer
A.) 5 letters of reference from other event professionals in their market relating to their proficiency at Latin Events
B.) 3 Letters from past clients willing to be contacted by the ADJA.
C.) At least 5 videos of no more than 10min in length each demonstrating their skills at various types of latin events.
D.) Demonstrated proficiency in Spanish & passing an oral exam on Latin Events.

By now you’ve probably noticed that many of these credentials follow closely the subsets shown on the ADJA national website.  This was intentional so that we may better focus consumers on finding and hiring the right entertainers for their needs.  However, none of these credentials will carry with it any premium placement in any of the search result.s at ADJA. all full members will be listed fairly and equally as they presently are.  those earning one or more of these credentials will notice that their profiles will carry the badge appropriately of the credential earned.

At some point in the future, if the membership desires.  We may expand the find a DJ topical sub search to include searching for recipients of these respective credentials.  However before that day can come we need to see a large number of our members step up & earn these badges so that when a consumer does that future topical subsearch, they will find some results within their market. We will be very excited and eager to receive feedback from our members, and how we can best tune and adjust this program to better suit the needs of our members and to better help them to build and grow their business.

We look forward to assisting you in your efforts to earn these exciting new credentials & your excited participation and feedback on these tremendous new opportunities to enhance and expand your business and your profile with ADJA.

The ADJA is proud to announce their third annual educational conference , With a new year comes a new name. “The Las Vegas DJ Show“, to take place September 10th – 12th in beautiful Las Vegas, Nevada.  This show is sponsored by American DJ, Promo Only, Denon, Pioneer & NLFX Professional as well as ADJA and The Current Audition.

Once again, the best and brightest in educational leadership will be “on hand” with the industries most cutting-edge seminars that will change the landscape of DJ education. Building upon the successes of our second education conference this past year, our goal is for every attendee to feel rejuvenated and empowered with the most impressive knowledge-based conference ever!

We will offer five simultaneous tracks of education – tracks on Performance, Business, Multi System Operations, Technology and Turntablism. With a total of thirty five seminars, this year’s educational multi-track will offer attendees the widest array of topics that are sure to inspire and motivate you to take your business to the next level.

Last year we made a promise that the Las Vegas Hilton would be the finest hotel to ever play host to a DJ conference. The best way to measure this promise is to simply ask anyone who attended. The response from attendees was overwhelming. The Las Vegas Hilton is a world-class resort hotel that far exceeded everyone’s expectations.

With a beautiful Exhibit Hall featuring more than fifty companies showcasing the latest gear and newest innovations our industry has to offer – this event promises to be the “don’t miss” event of 2012. Like last year, the Exhibit Hall is “free to attend”, so too are the networking events like our Sponsored Pool Party or the fabulous night out at the Marquee.  This year we have once again arranged for a great Pool Party and to treat all conference attendees to a VIP “all Access” pass for an awesome party at the stunning Marquee night Club where you will be treated to top name entertainment for FREE, plus you will receive an open bar with your conference pass for the first hour!  How cool is that?  The multi-track educational seminars represent the only fee for this amazing DJ show.

The event is open to everyone and until the end of 2011, EVERYONE can get a pass for only $49 per person.  Members and non members alike. After the first of the year prices will go up so don’t miss this great opportunity.  Non-members also have the opportunity to purchase a show pass that includes a one-year membership in the ADJA for only $249. It’s a great opportunity for your DJ business to take a major step forward in 2012.

Once again the ADJA is leading the way in delivering the finest Education Conference & DJ show in the nation. The Las Vegas DJ Show is sure to re-ignite our industry and set a standard by which all others will be measured.

Visit the “official” conference website at TheLasVegasDJShow.com for more details as they become available.

If you haven’t seen Vegas in Summer, you haven’t seen Vegas!

The ADJA Conference scores all A’s & is all set to blow the roof off Las Vegas. A-List location, Las Vegas Hilton, A-List presenters, 35 seminars, A-List exhibitors, all the major mfg. Over 50 booths, A-List entertainment, See nationally ranked performers, Details to follow. All in a Las Vegas setting with gorgeous weather, & All for the Absolutely stunning price of just $49 Sign up today. ADJAConference.com

Wednesday Oct 5th, Iconic visionary Steve Jobs passes from a long battle with Cancer.  Steve Jobs built a company that created personal computing, was fired from that company only later to be brought back to resurrect it, & resurrect it he did!  He created technologies that changed everyone’s lives directly or indirectly.  He create whole new catagories of technologies.

He changed the way music was bought & sold in the world, literally saving the music industry from itself.  Where would music be today without iTunes?  While professional DJs have always gotten their music from Professional Music Services such as Promo Only, iTunes restored people’s interest in music & in listening to new forms of music they might not have, had they needed to buy a $20 CD to do so.

He changed wireless Telecommunications with the first & still the most popular smartphone in the world.  The only instructions you needed was a finger or two, & the ability to touch.

He touched so many lives with technologies that enriched the human experience.  Personally, he represented the best of what we hope in a nation, that anyone can have a dream & make it happen if they are willing to do the work.  He has spawned numerous technologies that we use everyday without really knowing their origin.  He defined what it meant at a CEO to be all in.  His salary?  $1/year.  He banked his future on that of the company he led.  I wished more CEOs would do likewise.  Think how much more focused they would be without a golden parachute.  But maybe they don’t, because they know that their no Steve Jobs……

Steve Jobs was to our day, what Edison was to his.  I think I am feeling the need to pull out a black turtleneck & jeans today……  To remember if for just a while the value & power of a single life really has to shape our world……..

The First & Original DJCruise for professional DJs is sailing again!  This time with more than DJs but a host of wedding professionals.  Additionally it will sail from New Orleans!  This promises to be a fun & educational vacation. Exciting ports of call, New Orleans, Yucatan, & Cozumel. Be sure to book your space today.  Check it all out at DJCruise.com. ADJA members get preferred rates.  Have your member number ready to take advantage of huge savings.

Once again the ADJA will be representing Mobile DJs to the wedding industry at the Wedding MBA.  This is a conference of mostly wedding planners & venues.  It represents another great way that the ADJA is helping to get the word out regarding what Mobile DJs really are & do at weddings.  We are excited to once again be the only DJ association to represent DJs.

ADJA Conference: “Boost Your Spirits, Boost Your Business”
If We Work Together Imagine What We Could Do!
Overview

The ADJA will hold it’s annual education conference & DJ show September 12-14th 2011 in beautiful Las Vegas, Nevada. The intent is to give DJs at all levels the opportunity to hear from the best & the brightest, and bring our industry closer together under the ADJA.

The theme for this year is “Boost Your Spirits, Boost Your Business”. Every attendee will leave feeling rejuvenated, empowered & feeling infused with more fun ideas, knowledge & opportunity than they could have ever imagined.

We will change the landscape for learning again with TWO education tracks running simultaneously, one focused on performance, the other, business. Presentations will include topics on school events, beatmixing, music selection, marketing, sales, games, finance, growing your business, Mitzvahs, microphone skills, MC skills, weddings and much, much more. There will be over 18 seminars to choose from, introducing 5 brand new presenters.

The weather, this time of year, will be spectacular! The pools will be open and the nights will be wonderful for strolling the strip. Evening events are designed to maximize networking and building relationships that last with friends old and new. Come hang out by the pool on the 3rd floor with a gorgeous view of the strip.

All this, coupled with an awesome Exhibit Hall with over 60 companies showing off their latest and greatest gear. This promises to be the “don’t-miss event of 2011.”

The ADJA DJ Show & Conference is open to everyone. Advanced Registration for ADJA members is just $49 while non-members can attend for the discounted rate of $149. There will also be a conference special for non members for $249 which will come with a year’s free membership in ADJA. That gives you the chance to step up to the ADJA for only $100! This is an awesome opportunity. A local chapter option will be additionally available for $349.

In another bold move the, ADJA has made the entire conference except the seminars totally free to attend. This includes the night time events! You must however sign up in advance for a free badge.

Once again the ADJA leads the way in delivering the conference that everyone has wanted for years. Now add to that for those specializing in weddings that we have put together an incredible hookup for you on passes for the Wedding MBA! That’s right, we are going to save you $100 on a pass to Wedding MBA so now you can hit two great conferences for less than the price of ONE! See the link at the bottom of the page for more details.

Register for the ADJA conference Today!

Conference is hosted at the Gorgeous Las Vegas Hilton!

Book Your Hotel Room Here for $89/night!

For more information on our Host hotel!

As a part of that effort to increase access to education, the ADJA has secured for all ADJA members an incredible discount for all ADJA members who want to attend the Wedding MBA held Next door at the Las Vegas Convention Center later during the same week as the ADJA Conference held at the Hilton.

To take advantage of the offer, print off the registration form by clicking the link & fax it to the fax number on the form. Wedding MBA Registration The ADJA as a Wedding MBA partner has once again put together an awesome packed week of great content for ADJA members & conference attendess. Please call the ADJA offices if you have any questions.   888-723-5776

You are getting married when?

So you purchased a bridal list, or you have a list from a bridal show. You receive regular leads via an online service such as Respond, the Perfect Wedding Guide or WedAlert, and the wedding date is 5 days away (HURRY)? Or 5 years from today (wait)?

Confused? Do not worry. I am here to explain the truth about brides and their wedding dates. Bottom line, few wedding dates from a bridal show \ list, or an online service, are correct.

Respectfully submitted…

vThey are getting married someday, but do not know when

vWhen they confirm their venue, the date changes

vThey want to buy a house first, then get married

vThe boyfriend has not proposed yet

vNot the bride…

ØVendor at the show – Photo, Video, Planner…

ØParents of the bride \ groom

ØRelative of the bride \ groom

ØFriend helping the bride

ØIn the wedding party

vPostponed, for a variety of reasons

vCanceled

vEloped 

And the list of reasons the date is not correct go on and on.

Also some lists are peppered with phony names to protect the list owners. These names report back to the list owner to make sure services who use the list have paid for it.

But, do not be discouraged. This is just part of the wedding game. Having a good campaign in place will help you remedy this (possibly) incorrect date issue. For example many of my letters\Emails include what I think is their date.

Congratulations on your upcoming Wednesday February 18^th, 2015 wedding!

This can be a RED flag for the bride interested in your services, prompting her to reply, Oh, not that date, our date is —

Notice the above proposed date includes the day, in this case Wednesday. I have another notice that asks, is Wednesday February 18^th, 2015 really your date? Because if you are truly getting married on a weekday we offer mid-week specials.

Put it in the corner

Recently I received pictures to scan for a photo montage. The images included photos from a previous event, a Bar Mitzvah, that also had a Disc Jockey, from another company.

This DJ did what most DJs do, he set up center, next to the dance floor. This Bar Mitzvah included a candle lighting service, popular for such events, and the candles were placed on a table centered on the dance floor.

Which means every picture of the candle lighting service included the DJ in the background. No way to crop him out of the image. Every picture of this special moment included the DJ – Cuing music, taking a drink (of water I hope), equipment cables and cords, and brown boxes of props with the logo of Oriental Trading in plain view. Can anyone say UGLY?

When it was my turn to perform for this client, another Bar Mitzvah, in the same venue\room, I set up off to the side, and provided a video screen as the center piece for the dance floor and the candle lighting service. Projecting a big picture of the Bar Mitzvah boy in a baseball uniform to match his sports theme.

I was still plenty visible off to the side, just not in the way of the audience and cameras enjoying special dances and activities. A wireless microphone and a few steps to the center of the dance floor made me the center of attention when needed, and out of sight when not.

Respectfully, prove that it truly is all about your client, and put it in the corner!

Got Game? Need Inspiration? Got a Minute?

Minute to win it is the solution. This show is filled with fun, easy to play games using simple household items as the props. Great for youth events and the like.