Every year, there are several DJ conferences around the country. Some are really big and some are more regional and small. They all have value and yet, I see so few of you at them!

As 2019 progresses, and you start planning for 2020, I highly encourage you to mark your calendar and make it to at least one this year and a couple next year. I can assure you that the contacts you make, and the information you learn in the seminars will help your growing DJ business for many years to come. Let’s run through a list of conferences I have been to over the years and a brief summary of each.

ARMDJS: June 17-19, Gatlinburg, TN

This is an awesome regional DJ conference that I’ve attended a couple of times. Robbie Britton and the folks that put on this show do a great job! This year’s speakers include my PhDJ Podcast partner Mike Walter, Randy Bartlett, Dave Ternier, Larry Williams, Ron Ruth, and more. If you don’t know these names, trust me, they are legends in the mobile DJ world!

Find more info here. 

The Marquee Show: July 8-10, Chicago, IL

This is the second year of The Marquee Show. I was there last year at a different hotel and had a great time. The content was outstanding and I met several vendors that I needed to connect with outside the seminar room, including Vibo and the folks that manufacture the mirror photo booth. The event has moved to a new hotel for 2019, but producer KC Kokoruz has assured me it’s just as nice. Expect to see heavyweight DJ speakers like Alan Berg (from Wedding Wire), Andy Ebon, Nick Spinelli, Jordan Marshall, and many more!

Find more info here. 

The DJ Expo: August 12-15, Atlantic City, NJ

I have not been to The DJ Expo in a couple of years, but will be hitting it this year! This show usually has tons of folks from that area of the country attending – New Jersey, New York, Philly, DC, etc. The showroom floor is really active and vendors are selling since so many DJs drive to this show. It looks like some great parties are planned as well, and thankfully, it’s at Harrah’s again this year vs. previous locations. I’ll see you there!

Find more info here.

Wedding MBA: October 14-16, Las Vegas, NV

Wedding MBA is not necessarily a DJ conference, but a convention with really good DJ attendance over the past couple of years. I know that my man Mike Walter is speaking, as well as Rob Ferre and tons of other Wedding Wire all-stars like Vanessa Joy. Also, the annual Wedding Wire party with Jason Jani spinning is always hot.

Find more info here. 

Mobile Beat Las Vegas: March 16-19, 2020, Las Vegas, NV

For 2020, make plans to attend Mobile Beat Las Vegas. To me, this is the biggest and best DJ show in the U.S. right now. I feel like it’s a “must attend” for me every single year whether I’m speaking or not. Not only is there something to do every night, but also tons of networking, seminars throughout most of the day, and then a good sized showroom floor featuring all the new gear each afternoon. I’ll definitely see you at this one!

Find more info here. 

Midwest DJs Live: April 26-28, 2020, Milwaukee, WI

And finally, I just returned from Midwest DJs Live in Milwaukee and it was awesome! The dates for 2020 are April 26-28. Again, it’s another regional show, but is packed with content and fun things to do at night. The show moves to a new property in 2020, but the volunteers that put this on have told me it’s a great property. I believe them!

Find more info here.

I think that wraps up the shows I have been to/plan on attending again. If I left any out, I’ll do a part two of this blog and cover those as well, or maybe one of these days will get overseas to hit some of the ones in England, Greece, Australia, and beyond. 

Let us know if you plan to attend any DJ conferences this year, and be sure to check out my DJ conference checklist here. See you guys at the DJ show!

About Joe Bunn

Joe started his DJ career at the age of 14 in his hometown of Wilson, NC. He did shows all throughout high school, college at UNC-Chapel Hill, and eventually moved to Raleigh, NC in the late 90s where he started Bunn DJ Company. The company grew from a couple of DJs to 15 of the area’s best mobile DJs. Over the past few years, Bunn DJ Company has expanded to Charleston, SC, Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. The company performs at over 800 weddings a year and another 400 private, corporate, and charity events.

In addition, Joe is a writer for many national DJ publications such as Disc Jockey News, Mobile Beat Magazine, and DJ Times. He has given seminars at Mobile Beat Las Vegas, Wedding MBA, DJ Times Expo, local/regional organizations, NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill. Joe has also been hired by DJs all over the world to help their businesses in every aspect from branding to sales.