DJ Expo 2018 - August 13-16
- Thread starter steve149
- Start date
Wow! It's so quiet in there! Love it to stay like that! Once it opens, you lose your hearing AND voice.
Small... small... or, from a different more positive angle... not so big anymore.
Met Rick B, his dad, and his son. He is MUCH younger in person than his avatar picture. Great to see the inner core as always. Keith Alan, Rob Johnson, Tommy Demers, Drax, Ben Stowe, Tim Wedeman, Meghan Minnicks, Adam Conway (and his staff), Steve Lynch (he's dropped 65 pounds and looks fabulous), and several others from the Boston area.
This is a nice departure from the stark coldness of the convention center or the compacted madness of the boardwalk conventions. I can only imagine the overhead at Harrah's is higher but maybe because it is out of the way, they compensate for it. Who knows.
I made four trips through the showroom floor (took a total of 30 minutes) and recognized just how much internet sales have sliced into retail seller's willingness to "do" DJ tradeshows. I saw nothing really new and nothing worthy of whoopin' out the credit card.
In fairness, I've attended 24 of the 27 Expos thus the expectation bar cannot be reached. Do make time to attend one or more somewhere, Great to put real faces to real people.
Met Rick B, his dad, and his son. He is MUCH younger in person than his avatar picture. Great to see the inner core as always. Keith Alan, Rob Johnson, Tommy Demers, Drax, Ben Stowe, Tim Wedeman, Meghan Minnicks, Adam Conway (and his staff), Steve Lynch (he's dropped 65 pounds and looks fabulous), and several others from the Boston area.
This is a nice departure from the stark coldness of the convention center or the compacted madness of the boardwalk conventions. I can only imagine the overhead at Harrah's is higher but maybe because it is out of the way, they compensate for it. Who knows.
I made four trips through the showroom floor (took a total of 30 minutes) and recognized just how much internet sales have sliced into retail seller's willingness to "do" DJ tradeshows. I saw nothing really new and nothing worthy of whoopin' out the credit card.
In fairness, I've attended 24 of the 27 Expos thus the expectation bar cannot be reached. Do make time to attend one or more somewhere, Great to put real faces to real people.
Well, my ugly mug will be there tomorrow around 1-2. Will stop in the expo once I check in and get something to eat.
I think @DJ Ricky B and @djtaso are gone by then, but if @Cap Capello or @Albatross or @adj2ent are open, I'll probably grab some lunch at the food court around 1:30ish.
I think @DJ Ricky B and @djtaso are gone by then, but if @Cap Capello or @Albatross or @adj2ent are open, I'll probably grab some lunch at the food court around 1:30ish.
I have seen a few posts on FB about the rooms being bad. Sad.... The DJ Times Expo floor used to be huge,,, I guess everyone stopped coming when I stopped presenting! LOL 
Sure miss it,,,
Sure miss it,,,
I think they raised the pricing for the vendors the last 2 years .. last year at the Convention Center and this year at Harrahs. The Taj Mahal looked to be much cheaper for the vendors.I have seen a few posts on FB about the rooms being bad. Sad.... The DJ Times Expo floor used to be huge,,, I guess everyone stopped coming when I stopped presenting! LOL
So I just got back from the expo, and again... not that impressed by anything that I saw. I only did the exhibits and not the seminars so I can’t comment on those... but it seems the seminar topics are a bit more relevant than past years, so perhaps some improvement is being made on them.
In regards to the exhibits, the space was a lot better than last year and comparable to the taj. It was pretty big in my opinion... I mean they used the entire conference center so I can’t see how much biggger One would expect it to be... if anything it felt too big simply because of the lack of exhibitors present this year. There was nothing really new or cutting edge... lighting is still pretty much the same, with an emphasis on waterproof fixtures now and just updated fixtures. How anyone could hear the difference from one speaker to the next is beyond me as everyone was blasting their music next to each other. Speaker companies should each get their own private room to show off their sound, and just have one dj in the conference room on the main stage (maybe sponsored by Rane or pioneer or Denon) with higher volumes providing the background music. I guess past complaints about noise volumes were heard, as they provided ear plugs upon registration... which again makes hearing speakers for quality even tougher. Ultimately I felt these exhibits are perfect for entry level djs looking to get hands on feel for equipment, or those that were entry level and seeing what the next step is.
Personally, the only two exhibits I actually paid any interest in were the la moda photo-booth and the pro x accessories. La moda has a really cool “selfie station” which would be a perfect add on to a photobooth for a secondary self use option, or for those on a budget. It’s something quick and easy for guests to use, doesn’t require an attendant if no prints are being made, and it is battery operated so it could literally go from cocktail hour to the reception area or outdoors by carrying it and placing it where you want. For only $2k it’s a great option in my opinon.
I went to prox to check out thir cases and sparkler fountains. I actually picked up two small utility cases w wheels for my power and audio cables, as i have so many audio wires and over 500ft of power wires that I bring to events, that bags or plastic totes simply can’t keep up anymore.
I was there for only an hour, as I didn’t see anything that was a great buy or so new that I needed to talk to the vendor about it (minus the selfie station). All the vendors there that were selling gear I know a representative from them and can get the same or better deals anytime I want. I only bought the cases today simply due to the weight and the amount shipping would probably cost.
A personal recommendation to all... when you’re at the casinos, take a moment and sign up for a players card and play $50. I do this at all the casinos in the area and have accumulated free room offers from all the major casinos, that I never have to worry about finding a place to stay or how much it’ll cost. I stayed at the borgata for two nights for free since it was a weekday and even got a room for my fiancé’s parents elsewhere as they wanted to come down for the day and kill time. Also at Harrahs, I am sure many of you paid $10 for parking if you left... but with the players card you can get free parking. Having seen rates of $150-$200 a night, this is an easy way to save some money. While I don’t care for the buffet myself, the players cards often get you dinner for 2 for free at their buffets. The whole trip for two nights cost me around $30 between the reservation cost for the room, the $5 parking at borgata (they don’t have free at the lower players card levels), and tolls. Meals were free as we had accumulated comp dollars over the course of the year when we visit. Just some friendly advice for those trying to keep costs down.
In regards to the exhibits, the space was a lot better than last year and comparable to the taj. It was pretty big in my opinion... I mean they used the entire conference center so I can’t see how much biggger One would expect it to be... if anything it felt too big simply because of the lack of exhibitors present this year. There was nothing really new or cutting edge... lighting is still pretty much the same, with an emphasis on waterproof fixtures now and just updated fixtures. How anyone could hear the difference from one speaker to the next is beyond me as everyone was blasting their music next to each other. Speaker companies should each get their own private room to show off their sound, and just have one dj in the conference room on the main stage (maybe sponsored by Rane or pioneer or Denon) with higher volumes providing the background music. I guess past complaints about noise volumes were heard, as they provided ear plugs upon registration... which again makes hearing speakers for quality even tougher. Ultimately I felt these exhibits are perfect for entry level djs looking to get hands on feel for equipment, or those that were entry level and seeing what the next step is.
Personally, the only two exhibits I actually paid any interest in were the la moda photo-booth and the pro x accessories. La moda has a really cool “selfie station” which would be a perfect add on to a photobooth for a secondary self use option, or for those on a budget. It’s something quick and easy for guests to use, doesn’t require an attendant if no prints are being made, and it is battery operated so it could literally go from cocktail hour to the reception area or outdoors by carrying it and placing it where you want. For only $2k it’s a great option in my opinon.
I went to prox to check out thir cases and sparkler fountains. I actually picked up two small utility cases w wheels for my power and audio cables, as i have so many audio wires and over 500ft of power wires that I bring to events, that bags or plastic totes simply can’t keep up anymore.
I was there for only an hour, as I didn’t see anything that was a great buy or so new that I needed to talk to the vendor about it (minus the selfie station). All the vendors there that were selling gear I know a representative from them and can get the same or better deals anytime I want. I only bought the cases today simply due to the weight and the amount shipping would probably cost.
A personal recommendation to all... when you’re at the casinos, take a moment and sign up for a players card and play $50. I do this at all the casinos in the area and have accumulated free room offers from all the major casinos, that I never have to worry about finding a place to stay or how much it’ll cost. I stayed at the borgata for two nights for free since it was a weekday and even got a room for my fiancé’s parents elsewhere as they wanted to come down for the day and kill time. Also at Harrahs, I am sure many of you paid $10 for parking if you left... but with the players card you can get free parking. Having seen rates of $150-$200 a night, this is an easy way to save some money. While I don’t care for the buffet myself, the players cards often get you dinner for 2 for free at their buffets. The whole trip for two nights cost me around $30 between the reservation cost for the room, the $5 parking at borgata (they don’t have free at the lower players card levels), and tolls. Meals were free as we had accumulated comp dollars over the course of the year when we visit. Just some friendly advice for those trying to keep costs down.
I was one of the ones that was complaining big-time about all the noise in the exhibit hall. Last year it was ridiculous. Even if each speaker manufacturer had their own room, which some of them do you would still have the music blasting by the many different DJs who think that everything has to be loud. Earplugs aren't the best approach because to actually network or talk with the vendors, everything is muted. Although a couple of the larger lighting companies bring some cutting edge stuff most of the items are usually geared toward to certain level. To see tons of cutting edge stuff try the LDI show in Vegas. I haven't been in a few years but I see now they also cover sound now too.
I just got home from Atlantic City.
Like Taso, We also only stayed in the Expo room for roughly an hour. Pro X was also a vendor I gave a second look to to check out what they have to offer.
I believe this was the first year I can remember Guitar Center being there as a retailer (I did not go last year)
Their deals were nothing to write home about. 10% to 15% off on most of the stuff they had to sell.
I thought that the DJs performing in each vendor booth were generally NOT entertaining this year. That one year where they had the percussionist inside of a cage along with a femaile DJ performing was unique, and entertaining for a few minutes to watch.
There were no hot model girls in short clothing to greet DJs as they walked into the expo like they had in 2015/2016.
...I ran into Cap Capello while we were waiting to get into the expo as it opened! Introduced him to my son and Dad...Pretty much the high light of the trip!
My son liked the big UFO light.
I thought that the overall lighting this year seemed to be down tuned a bit from previous expos. Perhaps Not as much of a budget, or not wanting to put the effort into the show that some of the companies did in previous years.
I did not get into the Expo Kick Off Party in the POOL. However, we watched it from outside at around 10 pm, and I counted about 110 DJs (Maybe 4 or 5 actually swimming in the pool on top of that?) in that entire party. HUGE TRUSS Stage put together for that party, and very little attendance.
I counted about 315 people as the Expo floor opened. Maybe another 50 to 100 or so were registering that first hour to get into the show. Considering Tuesday is when the bulk of DJs attend the expo...I don't think they are going to have any where near the 5,000 DJs they claim attend the show. Just my take on that. They always inflate the numbers though.
...I also was not impressed with anything that I saw this year, EXCEPT The Radio controlled roaming photo booth is a cool idea. ...Could make a wedding feel like there is a real life droid present going around taking pictures. I can see that catching on in the coming years in many markets! Especially with clients who are into technology.
Like Taso, We also only stayed in the Expo room for roughly an hour. Pro X was also a vendor I gave a second look to to check out what they have to offer.
I believe this was the first year I can remember Guitar Center being there as a retailer (I did not go last year)
Their deals were nothing to write home about. 10% to 15% off on most of the stuff they had to sell.
I thought that the DJs performing in each vendor booth were generally NOT entertaining this year. That one year where they had the percussionist inside of a cage along with a femaile DJ performing was unique, and entertaining for a few minutes to watch.
There were no hot model girls in short clothing to greet DJs as they walked into the expo like they had in 2015/2016.
...I ran into Cap Capello while we were waiting to get into the expo as it opened! Introduced him to my son and Dad...Pretty much the high light of the trip!
My son liked the big UFO light.
I thought that the overall lighting this year seemed to be down tuned a bit from previous expos. Perhaps Not as much of a budget, or not wanting to put the effort into the show that some of the companies did in previous years.
I did not get into the Expo Kick Off Party in the POOL. However, we watched it from outside at around 10 pm, and I counted about 110 DJs (Maybe 4 or 5 actually swimming in the pool on top of that?) in that entire party. HUGE TRUSS Stage put together for that party, and very little attendance.
I counted about 315 people as the Expo floor opened. Maybe another 50 to 100 or so were registering that first hour to get into the show. Considering Tuesday is when the bulk of DJs attend the expo...I don't think they are going to have any where near the 5,000 DJs they claim attend the show. Just my take on that. They always inflate the numbers though.
...I also was not impressed with anything that I saw this year, EXCEPT The Radio controlled roaming photo booth is a cool idea. ...Could make a wedding feel like there is a real life droid present going around taking pictures. I can see that catching on in the coming years in many markets! Especially with clients who are into technology.
At least in a private room, there isn't a dj, it is usually a brand representative controlling the sound... at least from what I remember qsc and ev doing. I didn't check them out this year to see how the private rooms were set up.
That photo booth you were mentioning is the same concept that I was looking into from La Moda, but minus the roaming. I think that's a safety hazard waiting to happen (somebody hitting it and breaking it, or it hitting a waiter or guest the wrong way and making them drop something). Being that theyre battery powered, their location and space requirements make them very versatile. For me, I'd offer it at $500 as a cheaper booth option, or for $350 if combined with my larger more professional photo booth. I'd have the main booth with the custom prints, and custom backdrops and professional camera/lighting in the corner of the room with the props and attendant, and have this feet away from the dancefloor to make it something spontaneous.
The dj's they use at these things are all local guys doing it for exposure and to get in the show for free. Some are very skilled, but some are just hobbyists. The discounts were more impressive in the past, with lots of stuff available for sale, and people trying to clear inventory. Now they bring select items with normal discounts. The most evident of that was the guys selling the pioneer stuff... in the past they had a TON of stuff... mountains of gear... now it was just a small amount.
Lighting was really just adj and chauvet... again nothin special in terms of what I could offer to clients or create a new category for. The sparklers ARE the biggest add on of the year... but with so many venues restrcting them, I'm still not sure if the investment is worth it. I personally think the portable selfie booth will bring in more revenue and at a lower investment point. I guess if you're a guy doing mostly effect lighting and not moving heads and trussing... there's lots of eye candy... but if you're already at the movers and truss level... nothing too exciting.
The trussing that you saw at the pool is actually Harrahs, and is the staging they have for the djs and performers when the pool turns into a nightclub (the pool after dark)... so it wasn't for the show or provided by the expo.
Many thanks for the informative updates relative to "the show" and "Exhibits". One of these days I'll make be able to meet the ODJT guys and gals. Since I am riding off into the sunset, albeit on a donkey (slower than a horse) I'm still interested in new technology and perceptions of both first time attendees and those who regularly attend.
I was wondering if the Truss was put together for the show, or if Harrah's had that as a permanent installation. Either way, the turn out was weak for that. Accoustics in that Pool area sound bad too with that high dome shaped glass ceiling.
As for lighting at the show...Eliminator Lighting was there. They have a booth in the far right back corner. They weren't showing that much though. They did have a See through LED Bubble Machine which I thought was kind of cool, and only cost $49 which is probably about what it could be had for on EBAY. However, I have no need for a bubble machine. Just thought it was neat.
The show prices were certainly sad this year. I also feel they should have more availability of T Shirts for sale. They only had 2 different ones this year, and we didn't like them so we did not even purchase a T Shirt.
Honestly, I feel like the DJ Expo in Atlantic City is retracting rather fast. I have a feeling the long run of that show is nearing. I even noticed many of the older DJs who use to frequent the show every year were not there this year. The Vendors seem to be dropping off due to the price, and few sales. I don't see them putting this show together for more than another 4 to 5 years.
I also did not get that feeling of "Exhileration" and "Re Energization" that I felt at past shows I went to.
I have watched videos of the floor at the DJ Expo and it interests me that not ONE booth is using a PC. All Macs.
I have been using Apple for years but if EVERY single retailer is using Mac, why do some dj's still use PC's?
Is it really about PC's being cheaper? If PC's were better than Apple, why wouldn't they be using them at the shows?
Just wondering. I don't care what people dj with... doesn't effect me in any way. I just thought it was interesting.
I have been using Apple for years but if EVERY single retailer is using Mac, why do some dj's still use PC's?
Is it really about PC's being cheaper? If PC's were better than Apple, why wouldn't they be using them at the shows?
Just wondering. I don't care what people dj with... doesn't effect me in any way. I just thought it was interesting.
Perception is everything... just like guests judge us by our setups and our clothes before we even speak on the mic... the macs are there to create a better representation of their brand, as one that is of quality and doesn’t sacrifice on quality. Whether or not macs are better is a different story... but public perception says the more expensive Mac Is a better built device.
When I switched to macs back in 2013, everyone would come up to me and said “finally you made the switch! Isn’t it so much better”... now I didn’t notice any actual difference In playback performance, but everyone viewed this switch as a positive one, and an identifiable one, since macs have recognition.
This isn't just public perception - tests have shown that a Mac is a better built and performing device. The best Windows laptop - is a Macbook Pro.
I planned on staying until Thursday but after going through the show floor I decided I'll sit through the seminars and leave tonight to save a couple hundred between food and lodging.
I'm underwhelmed. I checked out of Harrahs this morning.
My first expo was three years ago at the Taj, and this nor last year has been comparable. In my opinion, the show floor is smaller and I can get equipment cheaper elsewhere.
I bought a rock n roller (basically at the same price I could get it off amazon less tax), two gator bags to put lights in and some of the twenty dollar eliminator lights to add to my throw away light collection.
I agree with the other assessments on here they seem to be catering to a more beginner crowd and the show seems to be going downhill fast. It's a shame. I prefer the company of East coast Djs and the drivability of the east coast show to others.
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I'm underwhelmed. I checked out of Harrahs this morning.
My first expo was three years ago at the Taj, and this nor last year has been comparable. In my opinion, the show floor is smaller and I can get equipment cheaper elsewhere.
I bought a rock n roller (basically at the same price I could get it off amazon less tax), two gator bags to put lights in and some of the twenty dollar eliminator lights to add to my throw away light collection.
I agree with the other assessments on here they seem to be catering to a more beginner crowd and the show seems to be going downhill fast. It's a shame. I prefer the company of East coast Djs and the drivability of the east coast show to others.
Sent from my BBB100-3 using Tapatalk
Better built is a generalization. There are a lot of well-built laptops by several manufacturers. If tests have shown Mac’s to be superior performers, it would have to be based on the differences in operating systems, and not hardware. The reason being, processors, memory, and other main components come from the exact same manufactures. There are very few parts left in a Mac that are Apple exclusive anymore. The fact that Apple alone can decide what hardware you can add to a Mac (due to the exclusivity of OS X compatible drivers), makes Macs far less customizable. I can build a Windows PC that will CRUSH any Mac, because I can add 3rd party components that you can’t put in a Mac. I have an iMac, and it’s nice, but nothing special. I think my very comparable Dell Optiplex 7440 AIO is better designed and engineered. Now I seem to be experiencing a Motherboard failure in my Dell, but I contacted Dell online support, and a technician spent two hours on the phone with me trying to fix the problem. OK... he cratered my OS by editing my registry and nothing he did fixed my random shutdown problem, but they’re sending an ON-SITE technician to my house on Friday to replace my motherboard and any other part the computer may need. Would Apple do that if the same thing happened to my iMac????... NO WAY!... I might be able to get it repaired if I took it to my local Apple store.