Right back atcha. If I remember right, that was Kelly Farmer's deal. I enjoyed myself and met some 'movers and shakers' in the industry including Rick Ryan!
ADJA Acquires WED Guild
- Thread starter steve149
- Start date
I spent $99 on my ADJA membership this year (the show special at Wedding MBA). Not because I needed the benefits, not because I wanted to be part of anything local. I bought the membership because Drax works hard to improve the public's perception of DJs everywhere, whether those DJs are ADJA members or not. I respect that and if the way to show my support is by writing a check for $99, it's a fair deal for me and a qualified expense at tax time.
I honestly don't care how much of my $99 went to purchasing the WedGuild.
It might somehow IF (big if) the ADJA markets or insinuates that the WED certification is what "really" makes one a real DJ.
I'm fairly confident that the ADJA would never do that. For one thing, the ADJA is still a small fish in a big pond of DJs. For another, they realize that the bedroom startup DJ is every bit as important to the future of this industry as established member DJs are. The advantage that it does provide for the ADJA is that it's an established certification program with a tiny bit of recognition in circles outside of the DJ world - something that they've never been able to put together (presumably because DJs can never agree on anything).
I hope for the sake of many you are right. Wasn't it not that long ago the organization was going to venues basically blackballing DJ's that didn't conform to their standards? I could be corrected on this but I'm sure I recall a thread somewhere on it.
I've always said certification is good although I don't necessarily agree with the WED guild approach
For me it's really not an issue whatsoever but for some in some markets it could be a big problem
A lot of what I've seen and experienced in my interactions with the ADJA and it's members they're not looking out for all DJs, just the ones that fit their mold of a DJ. Quite frankly, we're all children of the groove, label us all whatever you want, but that's the reality. I applaud the intentions of the ADJA, making a stronger DJ industry, but as for their methods, I don't agree with many of them.
This latest WED Guild crap is just another shining example of forcing separation amongst DJs as opposed to unifying them.
This latest WED Guild crap is just another shining example of forcing separation amongst DJs as opposed to unifying them.
I don't recall them ever going to venues and blackballing DJs - it probably happened on a local level somewhere, because I don't think they've got that much clout on a national level. However, I've only been a member at the national level for 10 months so I haven't followed everything they've ever done. I'm midway between Providence RI, Boston MA and Cape Cod... and I have venues in those three locations (and everywhere in between) who've recommended me for a number of years. Nobody from the ADJA has ever approached them.
I don't think any member ever agrees with everything that happens within an organization. Even labor unions have people who don't agree with everything the union does, but they go along with because they've chosen to be part of the union. Will the acquisition of WEDGuild force separation among DJs? Probably not. The ADJA doesn't force you to do anything that you don't want to do. But if you want something, be it discounted insurance, a rental-car coupon, or a fancy certification, it's there for you.
No group will ever be the right fit for all DJs - some of us do this for fun, some of us do this as a career, some of us are artists, some of us just press play. The ADJA may be focused on wedding DJs because we're the most organized bunch and most of us work well together, however, I believe that Drax personally looks out for all DJs - if you think I'm kidding, take a look at the agenda for the Las Vegas DJ Show. Club DJs, Mobile DJs, Indian DJs, a well-known radio DJ... everyone is covered.
Drax is a good guy I have no problem with him Personally I've had a few good conversations with him in the boards and one on the phone.
There are a lot in the upper crust that hold the belief that if you don't do it their way you are wrong those are the ones I take issue with.
These are the ones that try and make everyone else look worse so they can look better
Start name dropping with your clients see how many are really known beyond the DJ world that will show you the real impact of the organization any the "industry leaders"
Want to see the true colours go to idea sharing and announce you just did a $300 gig and talk about how good it was they will come out of the woodwork
Jeff
Totally agree with Jeff. I have some good friends and some people I really admire who are involved in ADJA. But I dropped my membership because of the vast number of people with that mentality that Jeff describes; people lecturing me about selling based on equipment (because we have a big system they assume we sell the equipment...news flash, we sell the experience, and part of that is yes, a result of equipment). Never mind our average event at the time was higher than theirs; I was wrong because we approached it in a different way. There are lots of ways to be successful and I resent that so many think the only way is by becoming 'certified', by doing wedding dances (we've done 1 in the past 5 years), by doing love stories and uplights, grand entrances, and you name it. Guess what?! Not all the clients want that! I'd love to support ADJA, and if they ever start accepting alternate models as even acceptable, or start acknowledging markets other than weddings as acceptable, I will join again.