American Disc Jockey Association
Charlotte, NC Chapter
Meeting Schedule
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Meetings
- Date: 1/20/2009 6:30 PM
- Date: 2/24/2009 6:30 PM
- Date: 3/24/2009 6:30 PM
- Date: 4/21/2009 6:30 PM
- Date: 5/19/2009 6:30 PM
- Date: 6/16/2009 6:30 PM
- Date: 7/29/2009 6:30 PM
- Date: 8/30/2009 5:00 PM
- Date: 9/15/2009 6:30 PM
- Date: 10/20/2009 6:30 PM
- Date: 11/17/2009 6:30 PM
- Date: 1/19/2010 6:30 PM
- Date: 2/16/2010 6:30 PM
- Date: 3/16/2010 6:30 PM
Are you a DJ interested in becoming one of America's Finest Group of Entertainers?
Or are you a Bride or Event Planner searching for a qualified Master of Ceremonies for your event?
Please feel free to contact us if we may be of service to you or your group!
Charlotte, NC Chapter
Email: office@charlotte.adja.orgPhone: 704-537-9300
National Offices
Email: office@adja.orgToll-free: (888) 723-5776
Tax Planning For DJs
Date: 1/20/2009
Time: 6:30 PM
Are You Ready For the Future?
Sandy Abalos - This will be a seminar on tax stratagy & planning. This session will cover all aspects of financial planning for DJ''s & small businessmen. With this seminar, Sandy Abalos a Certified Public accountant (CPA) covers the importance of good record keeping, tax planning & how to know the right type of business structure to operate under. She covers proprietorship, S Corp, C Corp, LLC in addition to a variety of things that most DJs dont realize are valid deductions. In her presentation she also covers audit triggers to avoid. She promises that anyone that listens closely & takes good notes will save at least $500 on their taxes. Hey we can all use ways to legally cut our taxes!
Location: Sports Connection 11611 Ardrey Kell Road Charlotte NC 28277
Beat Mixing 101
Date: 2/24/2009
Time: 6:30 PM
Have you ever wanted to know how to blend your songs together in a more graceful fashion? Learn all about BPMs, Pitch, Song Choice, and just how those club guys do it to keep people dancing without missing a beat.
Central Records will be coming in to teach this class.
Mark Pezzella from Five Star Entertainment will take over the second half of the evening educating us on all of the latest LED lights. Have you ever seen a Bliss Light? You will be able to see it in person at this meeting. He will also show off color washes, moving head lights, scanners, lazers, and more....
Location: Sports Connection 11611 Ardrey Kell Road Charlotte NC 28277
Better Consultations Bring Better Bookings
Date: 3/24/2009
Time: 6:30 PM
In his seminar, "Better Consultations Bring Better Bookings", Peter Merry (Author of *The Best Wedding Reception...Ever!*) will share how developing a purposeful method for his sales consultations resulted in increased booking ratios and at ever increasing price levels. As wedding professionals, we all put in countless hours to prepare for our clients weddings and receptions. Yet how many of us will show up to an initial sales call or meeting completely unprepared? In this presentation, you will learn why the first 15 minutes of a sales meeting may be the most important. You will learn how to help your clients uncover their real needs while demonstrating that you offer the best solutions to the challenges they face. And you will learn how show them the real value of the services you provide before discussing your pricing. You will not learn how to coerce anyone into choosing your services...but instead...you will find out how to develop a relationship with your clients that can lead to years of referrals. This seminar is designed to help all wedding professionals to increase their booking percentages and boost their confidence in effectively communicating why their services are the best.
Peter Merry:
Peter Merry has been helping couples create fun and entertaining wedding receptions since 1992. During the last decade, he has presented seminars on wedding entertainment performance techniques, wedding marketing, sales consultation skills, and the value of solid standards and ethics in business. These seminars have been presented to wedding entertainers and wedding professionals in over 40 cities across the United States. He has also frequently been asked to speak locally & nationally for various professional associations and conferences, including:
ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants)
ISES (International Special Events Society)
NACE (National Association of Catering Executives)
WMBA (Wedding Merchants Business Academy)
AWPi (Association For Wedding Professionals International)
He served in 2003 and 2004 as the National ADJA President. (American Disc Jockey Association) He currently serves his clients as their Wedding Entertainment Director via his exclusive wedding entertainment company, Merry Weddings, Inc.) His varied entertainment background includes years of public speaking and teaching classes at Saddleback Church, serving as a *Morning Host* for KBRT AM 740, hosting and engineering his own Talk Radio Show on KBRT, and performing Stand-Up Comedy at the Improv. He was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He currently lives in Ladera Ranch, California with his wife, Lisa. And, his is the proud step-father of Eric & Jason Lovato. Peter’s infectious passion for creating memorable moments at weddings has caused many to affectionately refer to him as *the fun wedding guy!*
Location: Sports Connection 11611 Ardrey Kell Road Charlotte NC 28277
1st Annual Charlotte, NC ADJA Social
Date: 4/21/2009
Time: 6:30 PM
This will be the First Annual Charlotte, NC ADJA SOCIAL!
This will not be at our normal meeting location.
This will be at DAVE & BUSTER''S
at Concord Mills Mall in Concord, NC
Come and network with other DJ Professionals as we chow down on some great food and have some fun playing some games and bowling together. This is to celebrate the chapter being 1 year old as of this month.
Guests are welcome to come and join us (even if you have already used up your two meeting limit) we still welcome you to this SOCIAL EVENT.
Location: Dave & Buster 8361 Concord Mills Blvd Concord NC 28027
School Events & Bridal Fairs
Date: 5/19/2009
Time: 6:30 PM
Understanding the School Event Market
Back by popular demand - Mark Pezzella from Fayetville, NC will return to share with us what he has learned over the years about working with schools. We will discuss aspects of planning and performing at events such as Proms and Home Coming. This will be a great opportunity for all of us to gain insight on the challenges and expectations that are associated with school functions.
How To Gain The Most From A Bridal Fair
Do you currently do bridal fairs? Would you like to learn how to get the most ROI from one? This seminar will cover all of the aspects that you need to take into consideration when having a booth at a bridal show.
Location: Sports Connection 11611 Ardrey Kell Road Charlotte NC 28277
Scott Faver in the Carolinas!
Date: 6/16/2009
Time: 6:30 PM
Meet the GameMaster up close and personal.
The Charlotte Chapter of the ADJA has been blessed to have some great presenters over the course of the past year. We are making this year just as great, if not even better.
Coming to Charlotte on June 16, 2009 - Scott will talk with our group about some amazing things. Scott is a bundle of energy and is loaded with knowledge. He will not only share with you tons of ideas on how to create and execute games at your events but he is also an expert marketer.
Scott Faver, The Game Master presents “Favertism”.
Interactive games and activities for a variety of different events – Corporate Training vs. party, Relevant Reunions, Magical Mitzvahs, Wonderful Weddings and more. All designed to put you in "Faver" with your clients.
Special emphasis on adding photos, video and other visuals effects to enhance
your show, wow your audience, and make you their "Faverite" entertainer.
Facts tell, emotion sell. This is your front row seat to see, touch and play the
games. Learn how to play, create and sell personalized entertainment that will
touch your audience, make them laugh, make them cry, and make them buy!
Come and learn from one of the finest in our industry.
Location: Sports Connection 11611 Ardrey Kell Road Charlotte NC 28277
NACE Experience Conference 2009
Date: 7/29/2009
Time: 6:30 PM
The NACE Experience 2009 Conference is being hosted in Charlotte this year and our chapter is going to play a major role in the entertainment aspect. We will be hosting the Closing Gala Event on Wednesday July 29th. All volunteers need to have an understanding of how to set everything up and how to break everything down. If you would like to help volunteer, please contact us.
Summary of the NACE Conference:
Driving Force in Global Catering and Event Design
You can be ahead of your time, on the cutting edge and “in-the-know” as you learn from the industry’s trend-setters, movers and shakers. This revolutionary conference attracts professionals from every segment of the market: caterers (on- and off- premise), special event planners and designers, wedding consultants and suppliers to the catering and event design world.
Location: TBA
Mobile Beat Tour 2009
Date: 8/30/2009
Time: 5:00 PM
It will visit 15 cities including: Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Orlando. Mobile Beat is touring the U.S. this August and September to instill a higher level of professionalism into the national DJ industry, spotlighting the educational focus of Mobile Beat Magazine and the Mobile Beat conferences. Each stop will consist of 3 to 4 hours of seminars, exhibits, demonstrations and more. Look for more details coming online soon and in the May issue of Mobile Beat Magazine. Seminars Tom Haibeck: How to Emcee a Wedding Reception - Do you charge extra for your services in emceeing a wedding reception? You should. Best-selling author Tom Haibeck (Wedding Toasts Made Easy and The Wedding MC: A Complete Guide to Success for the Master of Ceremonies) will walk you through the key steps involved in planning the event and delivering an outstanding performance as a wedding host. Dr. Drax: Technology in the 24th Century - Dr. Drax is recognized as the foremost authority on technology in the DJ industry. His expertise and insight has led many DJs to invest wisely in technologies that have expanded their business. In this seminar, Drax will talk about trends and new directions in the delivery of our entertainment services. He will cover where we have been, where we are, and where we are going, including the core elements that every DJ should be adopting. There will be a Q&A session at the conclusion, so bring your questions. Come hear what the future holds in store for you! While each Mobile Beat Pioneer ProDJ Summer Tour Stop is a FREE event, pre-registration is highly recommended to avoid delays upon arrival. Those pre-registered will also receive extra discounts and offers. Go to https://members.mobilebeat.com to register online NOW!
Pioneer ProDJ has just become the first sponsor to sign on for Mobile Beat’s summer tour and they have done it big. Pioneer ProDJ presents the Mobile Beat Tour 2009 will run in August and September 2009.
Danny Brewer: 10 Steps to Running a Successful DJ Business - An essential overview to help you develop, maintain and grow your service. This discussion will cover developing and following your business plan, customer service, sales calls, organization and networking.
Get Ahead Of The Game - Register NOW!
Location: Dave & Busters 8361 Concord Mills Blvd Concord NC 28027
Contracts & Legal Issues
Date: 9/15/2009
Time: 6:30 PM
ADJA''s Attorney (Kemp Harshman):
Mr. Harshmam will disect and explain exactley what you need to have in a contract to protect you (the business) and the client. He will also take quetions from the floor on any legal subjects that you have concerns about.
Location: Sports Connection 11611 Ardrey Kell Road Charlotte NC 28277
(Almost) Free Marketing
Date: 10/20/2009
Time: 6:30 PM
Promoting Your Business Online
Learn how to use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social media websites to effectively market your DJ / Entertainment Business.
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Julie Bee is part-owner of SyncSmart LLC, an online marketing firm headquartered in Charlotte, NC. Julie works with business executives to maximize the online presence of their company through search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, and social media website marketing. SyncSmart was founded in September 2008. Her business partner, Jessica Prokop, is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA.
Julie''s background as a CPA as well as a former Vice President of several businesses gives her a unique perspective on what online presence means to your company. It''s about market awareness, marketing exposure, and your bottom line. Julie started SyncSmart because she saw a great opportunity to combine her knowledge of business and marketing with her business partner’s knowledge of marketing, writing, and online presence management to help businesses make the most of their marketing plans.
In her free time, Julie enjoys watching college football, spending time with family, reading, blogging, and playing fetch with her dog. She also enjoys volunteering her time and talents to various charitable organizations in Charlotte.
Location: Sports Connection 11611 Ardrey Kell Road Charlotte NC 28277
Working The Weekdays
Date: 11/17/2009
Time: 6:30 PM
Tony Barthel - Would you like to know how to get work during the week? How about expanding your corporate influence? These are just some of the topics that Tony will cover in this new seminar on how to build a strong weekday business. Tony is the owner of a Los Angeles-area single-op DJ company as well as the Editor-At-Large of Mobile Beat Magazine.
Location: Sports Connection 11611 Ardrey Kell Road Charlotte NC 28277
Marketing Your Business on a Shoestring Budget
Date: 1/19/2010
Time: 6:30 PM
Gina Herald - At this meeting we will discuss the 3 keys to any effective marketing plan. Also, we’ll learn about the most effective marketing strategy ever and how to implement it into your business.
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Gina Herald''s Bio:
Professional Summary
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The Connection Between Your Waist Line and the BOTTOM LINE
For many, good health is an after-thought. It is often considered a “nice to have,” but not worth the time, effort or investment to improve it. We’ll discuss how much money you may be losing as a result of your health, or the health of your employees. We’ll also discuss some simple methods to help you recoup those costs.
Grady Peeler Bio:
Grady Peeler is the Founder and Owner of Charlotte Nutrition Company LLC and Charlotte Healthy Vending, Inc. Grady is a CPA and formerly served as a manager in the auditing practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers. He audited financial institutions, including banks, investment management companies, and private equity firms. His background enables him to understand the relationship between our actions and the dollars associated with them.
Grady left the firm to start this business. His battle with health and weight management was finally won a couple years ago and it inspired him to begin helping others. Grady had tried different weight loss programs, often with immediate short-term results. But poor habits crept back, and the weight returned. When Grady started this program, he not only lost the weight (11 pounds in three weeks, 25 pounds in three months), but has maintained it almost two years. He has not been sick, his allergies went away, he sleeps better, and he is now in the process of building muscle mass to reach his ideal fitness goals. Grady is a firm believer in the system of Coaching, Accountability, and Nutrition.
Grady is a public speaker and provides motivational and nutrition seminars. He speaks to companies, organizations, churches, and youth about healthy and better living. He resides in Charlotte with his wife of almost 9 years and his two small boys.
Location: Sports Connection 11611 Ardrey Kell Road Charlotte NC 28277
Interactive On A Mission
Date: 2/16/2010
Time: 6:30 PM
Interactive On A Mission is a Web based TV show that''s all about Interactive Games. At this meeting we will have the creator of this show come to our chapter and share with us a ton of interactive things you can do at an event to differentiate yourself from the competition.
On his show, Robbie Britton brings you new ideas every week. Check out his show at http://www.interactiveonamission.com/
Robbie Britton is a very proud member of the ADJA and is actually the founder and president of the East TN Chapter of the ADJA. He also produces a regional DJ Conference every year in June (http://www.ARMDJS.com) plus last year he won the Peter Merry Leadership Award (one of the highest honors from the ADJA). We look forward to having Robbie speak at our Feb 2010 meeting!
ADJA Chapter Of The Year Goes To Charlotte, NC
We will do a recap of the Vegas DJ Show at this meeting.
Congratulations are in order to all of our chapter members as The Charlotte, NC Chapter of the ADJA just won "Chapter Of The Year" Award!
Location: Sports Connection 11611 Ardrey Kell Road Charlotte NC 28277
When The Show Ends, the Real Work Begins
Date: 3/16/2010
Time: 6:30 PM
Bridal Show Success (How To Follow Up):
In May of this year we discussed how to effectively setup and run a bridal show booth. Now that the show is over, you need to know how to follow up and truly get the most from your investment.
After a bridal show you’ve got hundreds of brides to follow up with. So does everyone else. Sadly most all vendors do almost the exact same thing. If you fall into that trap, you’ll just be one of the many. But what if you knew exactly what to say to get more brides to pay attention to you? What if you knew what to do to greatly increase the odds of booking more brides? What if you knew a way to stand out above the crowd and have brides wanting YOU?
In this fun presentation Neal Howard will share with you the psychology of a sales letter that works and the strategies you can use to improve your results, and book more brides.
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Neal Howard lives in Roswell GA, just outside of Atlanta with his wife Paula, son Myles and their new puppy Oliver. Neal began his career as a DJ in 1995 almost by accident. While spending time with co-workers playing trivia at a local watering hole, he was struck by the thought that the DJ was getting paid to have fun. A couple of weeks later he was working for a multi-op. This particular company was concerned with how many events it could do each week rather than how it could provide the very best quality for the clients.
After seeing the movie Jerry MacGuire and after meeting Mark Ferrell, Neal decided he wanted to provide a better experience for his customers. He wanted to be intimately involved in helping them create a once in a lifetime experience. He wanted to work with fewer customers but give them a much higher level of service than what was currently being offered.
Neal started his company Atlanta’s Best DJ with the goal of being more than just the guy that plays music.
This led him to look for ways to improve his business and his entertainment skills. He has studied acting, writing, comedy, sales, marketing, psychology, human behavior and more all in an effort to be the best entertainer and business man he could possibly be. He continually looks for new opportunities to learn and grow.
He regularly shares his insights with other DJs and business professionals both formally and informally.
Neal has earned the title Wedding Entertainment Director from the WED Guild and serves on its Advisory Board of Directors.