ADJA Summer Conference & Show!

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Thanks Drax and furthermore this was simply an announcement and apparently some of the thoughts made since per Drax's final sentence. I would like to remind folks that we arent the other board if there is complaint or feeling of issue or contempt from across the net so be it. Keep the dissension there. Drax follows the rules here and I would expect everyone to do as well. It is what we do here. 4 pages later this thread is still open thats a testament to the play fair attitude we mostly all abide by. Consider my words when posting further in this announcement thread. Thanks.
 
Thanks, Ron.

Locking the thread away wouldn't do any of us much good, I'm afraid. Discussion is good. I just get the impression that Drax is getting grilled unnecessarily.

Thoughts?
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You asked.
Why does this have to be about Drax? I never said anything about the man. An educational seminar was posted in a discussion forum so the discussion began. The contents of the seminar is what's under discussion. I understand how much different this forum is from the others, that's why I frequent here. But I didn't start the post nor did anyone who frequents here.

I also understand that Drax was just advertising a business venture for the organization he owns. After all how else would anyone know about it. With that said I think we have every right to voice our opinion about the show, it's seminars, and it's presenters. If a new movie came out wouldn't we talk about it openly before even seeing it? Knowing the actors that are in it and viewing the trailer wouldn't we all have some sort of opinion? If anyone here thought that, from what they know about the film and it's stars, sharing that information might save people the expense of seeing it would we not say something? Of course we would. People, this is business. Take the personality out of it. Review the subject and it's presenters and make a determination of it's worth to each individual.

So eliminate Drax from the conversation. Unless he is presenting a seminar it doesn't matter if he or Obama is going to be there, that's not what anyone would be paying for. It's just a review.

So I guess the question at hand is are we allowed to or should we discuss the contents of this seminar? There are a few presenters that I've never heard before. Maybe someone here can shed some light on what they have to offer.
 
DJ Dr. Drax said:
If making a simple announcement here is going to create such drama, then Fred, please by all means eliminate it from the site. I didn't come here to get the 3rd degree, simply to let those here know about the conference no more no less.
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Drax,

If you can direct me to any extended thread in any open dj forum that doesn't result in/devolve into drama, I'll seek to have you appointed finder of all thing non-existent.


Good Luck with your plans and I hope to shake your hand in Vegas. If your hand is near a bar, I'm buying round 1.
 
Rocky you devil you never told me you were going to be in Vegas does that mean you didnt intend on shaking my hand? I promise to tell you where it has been in advance. Your choice. I will be certain to shake Drax's hand first though.
 
My issue isnt about voicing an opinion Ron

This thread is industry announcements we allow any info shared relating to the industry. We have a big debates forum if there is debate possibly a thread over there would be appropriate. However once a point has been presented continuing the barrage isnt really necessary. I know your feelings as do mine get in the way at times and Im mostly always on the same page as you. Personal battles need to remain personal. I have many opinions about the lineup as well but I dont feel the need to critique in an announcement thread. I hope I am coming across properly as you know me to be fair.:sqwink: thanks in advance for the consideration.
Ron Auger said:
You asked.
Why does this have to be about Drax? I never said anything about the man. An educational seminar was posted in a discussion forum so the discussion began. The contents of the seminar is what's under discussion. I understand how much different this forum is from the others, that's why I frequent here. But I didn't start the post nor did anyone who frequents here.

I also understand that Drax was just advertising a business venture for the organization he owns. After all how else would anyone know about it. With that said I think we have every right to voice our opinion about the show, it's seminars, and it's presenters. If a new movie came out wouldn't we talk about it openly before even seeing it? Knowing the actors that are in it and viewing the trailer wouldn't we all have some sort of opinion? If anyone here thought that, from what they know about the film and it's stars, sharing that information might save people the expense of seeing it would we not say something? Of course we would. People, this is business. Take the personality out of it. Review the subject and it's presenters and make a determination of it's worth to each individual.

So eliminate Drax from the conversation. Unless he is presenting a seminar it doesn't matter if he or Obama is going to be there, that's not what anyone would be paying for. It's just a review.

So I guess the question at hand is are we allowed to or should we discuss the contents of this seminar? There are a few presenters that I've never heard before. Maybe someone here can shed some light on what they have to offer.
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Jon Tuck said:
Rocky you devil you never told me you were going to be in Vegas does that mean you didnt intend on shaking my hand? I promise to tell you where it has been in advance. Your choice. I will be certain to shake Drax's hand first though.
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I plan to and really hope to but am not fully committed yet. I have a potential conflict with my other profession and won't be able to begin making Vegas plans until that issue is cleared.
 
Fair enough Jon, but you couldn't of said that on the first page?:sqwink:
Now where would one go to hear positive criticism about any of the presenters, since that's all a few want to hear(and I'm not paying to be on a site). As I said, there are a few presenters I don't know.
 
Fred Stewart said:
Locking the thread away wouldn't do any of us much good, I'm afraid. Discussion is good. I just get the impression that Drax is getting grilled unnecessarily.
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Drax, in my experience, has always been respectful and certinaly deserves the same in return but the problem comes with the orginization he represents. None of the below is in any way a shot at you Drax I hold alot of respect for you and what you are trying to do just an opinion from the outside

I'll give you an analogy...

The local yacht club here for many years only permitted members in the door. They really discouraged any non members from coming in and really didn't want new members regardless unless they were close friends or relatives of members currently on the books. For many years they thrived like this because the members were wealthy and kept the place running just fine.

Now the membership has waned off most of the old club has died and no new memberships have come along so in an effort to save the club they went members and guests (guests are anyone who walks through the door and signs the book) and eventually became open to the public. Basically this plan has failed also. For the life of them they can't understand why no one wants to be there. The reason is no one wanted them there, and in reality they still don't, until they were needed there for the club to survive.

Now I see the ADJA as very similar to that. In alot of cases they have alienated the people they wish to represent but at the same time they want you to pay the dues and be part of the brotherhood. They are putting on this show and expect everyone to open thier arms, welcome them, and fete them for doing this.

The ADJA needs a very big public relations campagin among DJs to overcome the stigma attached to it.

Drax by his own numbers claims the upper 10% of the industry is either in the ADJA, or networks, or participates in online forums. When was the last time anyone has seen any of the board of the ADJA here or the other major boards that they weren't making an announcement of a conference or something of the likes?

I know you folks are busy but come get real with some of us once in a while it will pay big divedends
 
Jeff Romard said:
......When was the last time anyone has seen any of the board of the ADJA here or the other major boards that they weren't making an announcement of a conference or something of the likes?

I know you folks are busy but come get real with some of us once in a while it will pay big divedends
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Amen to that.... sorta similar to a certain guy who only comes here when he want to advertise a new product that begins with a "D" :sqrolleyes:... Never here any other time. That really pisses me off.
 
Steve Cie said:
Don't you think that the $ 249 price which includes membership in the ADJA is a true effort to reach out to those very people?
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'

Steve,

I would agree with you on this point if the price was $250 across the board but the price isn't $250. The price is $50 for the elitist and $250 for the unwashed masses! And a chance for ADJA to increase their income from a membership drive. I am all for the ADJA running a membership drive (I have nothing against them doing so) but let's call it what it is!

As I said, this show is being put together for the benefit of the ADJA and a few of it's members who will be selling their wares at the event, not to the benefit of the industry as a whole.

My personal feeling on the matter is something that Drax has already stated, the gist of which is: We as DJs do not have enough cloat to change anything politically, most of us don't have the desire to change them!

On the other hand I see these efforts as a future detriment to the DJ industry as a whole because eventually some politician will see money in this industry and will sit up and take notice. When this happens there will be more state licensing and taxes and probably federal as well. Many elitist think this will be a good thing because it will put them firmly in charge of things, however politics in general will hand them a corncob instead of the weenie!
 
Dear Jeff,

Thanks for the feedback. May I respond?

I cannot recall anyone ever saying that we didn't want people as members. I have openly stated we want as many DJs to join as possible. That we are enhancing our educational programs & discounts & other benefits to appeal to as many DJs as possible.

For the record. On behalf of the ADJA, we don't care if someone is full time or part time. We never have.
I don't care what you charge as long as yoru rates are set by a business plan. We are a trade association for those DJs that are professional or aspire to be such. We have a mentorship program to help newbies to learn things to be successful vs failing for simply not knowing any better. Does that sound elitist to you?

Could you show me where Myself or another officer has said anything to the effect that your not good enough? I can't even think of a time that has been said publicly to anyone. Please explain exactly how the ADJA has alienated anyone. It hasn't. Yes some outspoken people have said some sharp things, but they were not speaking for the ADJA in any fashion at the time. They had not held office in over 2 years. We have sought to be very inclusive.
We only require that they abide the terms & conditions of membership, be a positive example in their dealings, & that they pay their dues.

My comments about the 10% was not specifically about the ADJA, but about group involvement, proactive steps to network & learn. Sorry that I wasn't more clear.

Our membership ISN'T lagging or dropping but is really quite the opposite. It is always been stable or growing. Yes it fluctuates from time to time but it is still trending upwards.

Our open invitation to this conference was to further invite others to see what the ADJA is really about vs misperceptions & false stories. We aren't losing members, We are growing but we always want to growmore to join. I would like to see our roles swell to 50K plus. Will that ever happen? I don't know, but it's a goal worth working towards.

We did not make the announcement here or else where to be feted, rather, it was simply an announcement of somthing that we are trying to do to make the industry better as a whole. Generate some positive interest & excitement for something worthwhile that is also very affordable. We made it open to everyone. If we were elitist it would be a closed event, ADJA only.

As for a PR campaign, we have a large one working with several mfg who put our literature in their boxes, & we are regulars at as many shows & conferences as we can to meet DJs & talk about what we can offer to them. I have traveled extensively the past 2 years meeting DJs & hearing their thoughts.

To be fair, it is impossible to be on every site as much as everybody would like & still get something done & still have a personal life. I visit as many places as I can from time to time. Some sites I simply do not go to because it isn't enjoyable there.
Others I spend more time at, but really not much more. I haqve been here more than ANYWHERE else the past couple days because of my friends JT & Steve Cie, but honestly there just isn't enough hours in the day to be everywhere as much as one would like.

I have been here a few times over the months. I am now more inclined to post only when I can contribute vs just posting to be in the conversation.

Thunder,

Members aren't elitest, but they should get a price break, it's their support afterall that has made this conference possible. There should be something for them for that support. They have supported this effort for a long time in hopes that we would one day be able to put on such a conference. That time is now. When we said years ago that we would hold a conference, we promised ADJA members that they would get a discounted pass. We are sticking to our word.

Yes there is a membership drive aspect, only in that we are offering membership at a discount to people already planning on attending as Non members.

I have said this a hundred times if I have said it once. I am firmly & TOTALLY against govt. intervention or licensing of DJs in any fashion beyond the intellectual property laws protecting those who create music. Other than that, I don't want the govt. involved in the industry.
 
DJ Dr. Drax said:
Thunder,

Members aren't elitest, but they should get a price break, it's their support afterall that has made this conference possible. There should be something for them for that support. They have supported this effort for a long time in hopes that we would one day be able to put on such a conference. That time is now. When we said years ago that we would hold a conference, we promised ADJA members that they would get a discounted pass. We are sticking to our word.

Yes there is a membership drive aspect, only in that we are offering membership at a discount to people already planning on attending as Non members.

I have said this a hundred times if I have said it once. I am firmly & TOTALLY against govt. intervention licensing of DJs in any fashion beyond the intellectual proprerty laws protecting those who create music. Other than that, I don't want the govt. involved.
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Drax,

I am applying simple logic to what I see and and read!

Let me ask you some simple questions if you will give me simple and honest answers without going around the barn three times to get there.

1. If only ADJA members attend at $49 per head will you consider the "show" a success?

2. If only ADJA members attend will those doing seminars profit any at all? (this is assuming that those who are already members have already heard most of what the speakers have had to say (more than once).

3. Would the chances of having more non-members attend be a lot higher if the price was the same across the board and then let those who attend decide if they want to become members at the discounted (or the full) rate.

4. Is not offering a discounted membership rate a slap in the face to those that have already paid full rate for that same privledge?

When you say you are against government involvement in the DJ industry I believe you.

I also believe that you are not that naive as to think that if you push for political recognition for any enity that you won't also reap the intervention from it!

5. Are you saying that you don't want any form of control or regulation of DJs, in any form?

6. Isn't that exactly what we have right now?

7. What exactly do you invision from political recognition of DJs?

8. Does the fact that to have that would also mean that the government would also have a need to control?
 
Thanks for the response Drax I'll try to handle this one at a time

DJ Dr. Drax said:
For the record. On behalf of the ADJA, we don't care if someone is full time or part time. We never have.
I don't care what you charge as long as yoru rates are set by a business plan. We are a trade association for those DJs that are professional or aspire to be such. We have a mentorship program to help newbies to learn things to be successful vs failing for simply not knowing any better. Does that sound elitist to you?

Could you show me where Myself or another officer has said anything to the effect that your not good enough? I can't even think of a time that has been said publicly to anyone. Please explain exactly how the ADJA has alienated anyone. It hasn't. Yes some outspoken people have said some sharp things, but they were not speaking for the ADJA in any fashion at the time. They had not held office in over 2 years. We have sought to be very inclusive.
We only require that they abide the terms & conditions of membership, be a positive example in their dealings, & that they pay their dues.
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From what I have seen recently the ADJA has made headway to relate more to the masses but we both know it wasn't always that way. There have been board members call general members bottom feeders, there was a constant argument about what is professional and what should be charged and then if you don't get $XXXX you aren't a professional. If you have another job you aren't a professional and this was being said by someone with other ventures. Mabye it wasn't the policy of the ADJA but it was members close to the top and the association became one of the same

To your credit I have never seen you involved in any of this BS. I could go and quote past posts here and elsewhere to prove this but like you I lead a busy lifestyle too...And a big sound job in the morning I am sure you know to what I am referring though.

As a quick sample of alienation by doing a Google search I can't find out who is currently on the national BOD. It may seem like a little thing but looking after the little things makes the big things happen


DJ Dr. Drax said:
My comments about the 10% was not specifically about the ADJA, but about group involvement, proactive steps to network & learn. Sorry that I wasn't more clear.
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I understood what you were saying looking back I think I was the one that wasn't clear in my post



DJ Dr. Drax said:
We did not make the announcement here or else where to be feted, rather, it was simply an announcement of somthing that we are trying to do to make the industry better as a whole. Generate some positive interest & excitement for something worthwhile that is also very affordable. We made it open to everyone. If we were elitist it would be a closed event, ADJA only.
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As I said in my first post in this thread I think the show is a great idea and I admire you for your efforts to make the industry better. We try every day here to do that and hopefully we have made a difference also. I don't recall saying it was eletist, if I did or insinuated it was please accept my apology I certinaly didn't mean that.. My point by the feted comment is thats the only time we hear from anyone involved from the top ranks of the ADJA is when there is something to sell

DJ Dr. Drax said:
As for a PR campaign, we have a large one working with several mfg who put our literature in their boxes, & we are regulars at as many shows & conferences as we can to meet DJs & talk about what we can offer to them. I have traveled extensively the past 2 years meeting DJs & hearing their thoughts.
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Alot of times you might be preaching to the choir. Alot of the same people attend many of the shows and alot are members of the ADJA already. With alot of us there is an image problem with the ADJA and there and alot don't attend shows. As an example in my market I was talking to a DJ friend of mine and he thought I was crazy when I told him about the conventions he had never heard of such a thing for DJs. Getting out to the people that don't know about the ADJA and changing minds about the ADJA might be the way to go.

DJ Dr. Drax said:
To be fair, it is impossible to be on every site as much as everybody would like & still get something done & still have a personal life. I visit as many places as I can from time to time. Some sites I simply do not go to because it isn't enjoyable there.
Others I spend more time at, but really not much more. I haqve been here more than ANYWHERE else the past couple days because of my friends JT & Steve Cie, but honestly there just isn't enough hours in the day to be everywhere as much as one would like.

I have been here a few times over the months. I am now more inclined to post only when I can contribute vs just posting to be in the conversation.
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I fully understand time limitations I have 6 kids and a couple of business. I am guilty of spending more time here than I should most days. When I mentioned a PR campagin a good start would be to have a couple on the boards from time to time without a big announcement or a DVD special. I guess a liason so to speak.

Everything I typed above was meant to be constructive not critical I hope you take it that way. I wish you all the luck with the show and with the ADJA Drax.
 
From what I have seen recently the ADJA has made headway to relate more to the masses but we both know it wasn't always that way. There have been board members call general members bottom feeders, there was a constant argument about what is professional and what should be charged and then if you don't get $XXXX you aren't a professional. If you have another job you aren't a professional and this was being said by someone with other ventures. Mabye it wasn't the policy of the ADJA but it was members close to the top and the association became one of the same

To your credit I have never seen you involved in any of this BS. I could go and quote past posts here and elsewhere to prove this but like you I lead a busy lifestyle too...And a big sound job in the morning I am sure you know to what I am referring though.

As a quick sample of alienation by doing a Google search I can't find out who is currently on the national BOD. It may seem like a little thing but looking after the little things makes the big things happen
Click to expand...
Disclaimer: I will be mentioning names as these are public figures in the great DJ world and are relevant to the discussion at hand.
Jeff, I will agree with you because as little as just a few years ago the ADJA was controlled by Peter Merry. Back then it was a non profit organization and the general feeling was that of an elite group meant for a selected few. Of course this is only an opinion. But since there were close ties to Mark Ferrell ( a life time achievement award winner in the ADJA) who's DJA radio show produced show after show hosted by the likes of Bartlett, Merry, Ferrell, Cerone, etc about eating bottom feeders for lunch, I can see where one would get that idea of exclusion. They did and said everything they could to exclude who they considered non-professionals such as themselves. And they claimed proudly to be members of the ADJA. It didn't take to long to listen and hear that message.

Now in Drax defense he now (correct me if I'm wrong) owns the ADJA as a for profit business and is attempting to unite the masses with the message of together imagine what we can do. The numbers are growing which is a good thing and the direction is forward. The only problem is it's still partly controlled by the old. That little butt slap fest in Vegas this year proved that. So as long as the old alliances remain intact and become headliners at every convention or write in every ADJA newsletter there will always be many who have heard enough.

Let me say this again, I think the idea of the summer show and the way it's being presented is a good thing. For those who are members, $49 would be worth the price. However we know that's not all it's going to cost. I see Drax doing for his business the same as we would all do for ours, expand and make it better. That is a good thing.

Will we all ever agree on anything? Hell no. Will we all continue to have a voice and speak our thoughts? You bet. That's why we live in America, land of the free and home of the Whopper.:sqwink: Lighten up, is it really that important? Not to me, not after what I've seen one of our close beloved members is going through.
 
Steve,

There is no secret nor agenda with the DJ Times Expo, it is a for profit operation and no one tried to cover that fact by calling it something else! Although Drax has been fairly honest about it in his postings here, this is about swelling the ranks of ADJA and collecting membership dues even if it is at a reduced rate!
 
Steve Cie said:
Yet everyone has no objection to paying $300 to attend the DJ Times Expo.
I'm at a loss!
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That statement tells me you can't understand why people just don't follow blindly. Because some would choose to attend the DJ Times and not the ADJA show their must be a problem? It's called choice. For some, one is more appealing that the other. It's that simple.
 
No, I am looking at the value comparison between one and the other and the relative cost.

From what I am reading, the ADJA Summer Expo appears to be a good value.
The seminars look to be top notch, and they are offering some new presenters. i find that idea refreshing and appealing.

As for hidden agendas, where is the hidden agenda. The show offers a reduced price for the members of the ADJA. What is wrong with that. It's our organization, we support it, and we get many many benefits by being members. The reduced expo price is yet another one of these benefits.
The special combo price is a great incentive, as well as a great value, especially in these hard economic times.

The ADJA is an association of professional mobile entertainers. The mission of the American Disc Jockey Association is to encourage success for its members through continuous education, camaraderie, and networking.
The primary goal of The American Disc Jockey Association is to educate Disc Jockeys so that each member acts ethically and responsibly. We would also like to educate consumers on how to go about choosing a true professional Disc Jockey.

Association members have already invested their time and money to become a member. This indicates that each member is a serious business person.

I attend and enjoy the DJ Times Expo every year in Atlantic City, especially since its only 100 miles away from my home. I come home, re-energized and pumped up to enhance my business with info I have received at the various seminars. Its also a great opportunity to view and see demonstrated, new equipment.

This ADJA event looks somewhat promising. We will never know unless we go.
Never the less, even the $149 non-member ticket price is half of the DJ Times fee.

I just don't understand the skepticism produced by this event. The event agenda looks good, it is centrally located for all of North America to attend, and the cost is more than reasonable.

Of course there is obviously an attempt to increase the membership numbers, not unlike every DJ's attempt to get new business from the audience at an event. I don't see any hidden agenda here. Everything is visibly transparent.

There will be many DJ's unable to attend the Mobile Beat Event in Las Vegas this February. Economics is simply knocking them out. Hopefully, the economy improves by the second quarter of next year, and many of those who miss out on the Las Vegas Expo, get an opportunity to attend the Chicago Expo in July.

I am looking forward to a great event in Chicago, as well as an opportunity to meet and network with more of my contemporaries.
 
Overcoming Objections

I thought I would share a little bit of information about the upcoming seminar I'll be presenting at the ADJA Summer Conference "Empowering Your Dreams" in Skokie, IL. Hope to see you there!

As sales people, we hear all kinds of objections every single day. Wouldn't it be great if you could whittle all of the objections you have down to four? Now you can.

In the seminar, Understanding the Sales Cycle, you and I will cover together the 4 objections that service based businesses face and how to overcome them. We will cover every step of the sales cycle process and so much more. More surprises and reveals about my seminar to come.

If you want to earn you've got to learn. Come to the American Disc Jockey Association's 1st ever Summer Conference "Empowering Your Dreams" at the Holiday Inn Skokie, IL from July 12th to the 14th. I look forward to seeing you there. Pass prices will go up soon so don't delay. ADJA members pay only $49 for 2 1/2 days of learning from some of the best and brightest in and out of our industry. Sign up today at www.adjaconference.com.
 
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