I joined the NADJ and found out about the Conference from articles and adverts in the Pro Mobile magazines that are included as part of membership. A Conference for DJs, I thought, whatever next, fitness classes for DJs?! Over the next year this thing called the Pro Mobile Conference kept cropping up and my curiosity started to get the better of me. I began asking a few people, “is it any good?” , and without exception the reply always came back along the lines of “brilliant, Robbie, you’ll get so much out of it” .
Hmmm, I thought, maybe there is something in this after all, so I took the plunge and booked my place. When I told the wife she had a chuckle, “a conference for DJs, whatever next?” , although the smile faded when I told her how much it cost! “Really, we could go to Spain for a week for that!” Fortunately I managed to narrowly avoid divorce when I told her it could be used as a tax write-off! So, fast forward to the morning of Sunday the 24th of March and destination Solihull.
Pulling into the car park there is only one thing on my mind, no, not the Conference, it’s where’s the bacon butties? With the check-in hurdle quickly navigated I walk into a room full of DJs. There are some familiar faces, but most of them are new to me. So, with bacon butty safely liberated, it is time to mingle.
Within seconds I strike up a conversation with another DJ. This, I think, is what they call networking! A short while later we are called in to the main Conference room and before you know it the serious business begins, or does it? Well, no, not serious at all to begin with, as we are introduced to our host for the next two days, magician Paul Martin.
Damn, this guy is funny, how does he do that on a Sunday morning?! After a few baffling mindreading tricks from Paul, it’s down to the serious business as he introduces Eddie Short , Pro Mobile’s Editor and the Conference ‘Curator’ . Eddie gives us a brief overview of the year since the last Conference, and also Let's us know what we can look forward to over the next couple of days, before handing back to our host, Paul. Pro Mobile Conference irst Time Delegate's Story By Robbie Collins Hailing from deepest Essex, Robbie Collins has been a DJ for over 30 years and worked at some of the most infamous bars and clubs in the South East.
His current mobile DJ business is called Disco Inferno, named after his love of disco music. Robbie specialises in all day weddings but also plays for anybody who wants a damn good party! “Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome from the US of A our lead keynote speaker, Mike Walter !” Cue loud applause as Mike takes to the stage, which is a very impressive stage by the way, with a huge video wall, a mega sound system and some cool lights! Mike gets straight down to business and we’re off and running.
Speaking about a DJ’s performance, some of what Mike has to say is obvious, but having said that, it is important to hear this from time to time as it makes you think: are you really doing it right? The presentation includes a quick lesson on song construction and how it should help with our mixes/ segues to keep people dancing. He also talks about programming, interaction and practice. Yes, that’s right, practice!
Practice your mixing, your speaking, your introductions and, when you’ve done that, do it some more! Mike also has some interesting stuff to say about weddings and introductions and how some of his DJs engage with their audience during the evening. Overall, the message is: a wedding is still a party, so have fun! And with that he is off to a big round of applause and then we are off to lunch.
Lunch is a help yourself buffet and, as it’s a lovely day, I sit outside. Before long I am joined by other random DJs and we all enjoy an eating and chatting session, which is what this whole event is all about. With lunch done, Paul introduces us back into the room, cracking the jokes as usual (which after lunch is a good idea as it stops us falling asleep!). He then introduces our next speaker, Jon Holder.
Now Jon is a motivational speaker and today’s subject is ‘Have More Energy And Impact’ . Not DJ- related I hear you say, but to truly get things out of this event you have to think outside of the box and that is exactly what Jon makes us do. I enjoy Jon’s presentation. It is the right thing at the right time and keeps everyone engaged while also providing lots of food for thought.
He speaks about the moment in your performance that everyone dreads when it goes wrong and panic starts to take over. As well as sharing ideas for conquering that fear by taking action, he goes a step further and encourages us to embrace our fears and take action, add variety and do things differently. After Jon, it’s time for the afternoon networking session. Now three things happen in the networking sessions: you get your tea, coffee and some huge cookies; there’s a chance to chat with other DJs; and there’s an opportunity to visit one of the Conference’s sponsors/partners who are exhibiting their wares in the various rooms.
With so much to do, time flies, and before we know it our next speaker, Tony Morris, is ready to begin. The title of this session is ‘Your 5 A Day’ . Really, I think to myself, he’s going to speak about getting more fruit and veg in our diet! But, thankfully, he doesn’t.
67PRO MOBILE CONFERENCE 2019 [Photos by Toby Oakley] Tony is a sales trainer and covers so much stuff in his presentation that I take over five pages of notes! One interesting piece of advice is: don’t judge your client by looks, which I am sure we all do. However, I can tell you, I won’t be doing that again after listening to Tony’s story about the estate agent who lost two lucrative sales because they didn’t recognise Bob Geldof and wrote him off because of the shabby way he was dressed!
Another key point taken away is “treat others as they want to be treated”; after all, it’s all about them, not us! In what feels like no time at all, Tony’s presentation is over and it’s time for us to break up into smaller groups for workshops, of which there are three to choose from. I opt for the microphone technique session with Euan Bass, as you always know with Euan that you’re going to have a bit of a laugh as well as learn something. Euan gets a few of the guys up to do the introductions that they would normally use at a wedding and then asks the rest of us to provide a critique (we were very gentle with them, honestly!).
It’s then time for another tea and coffee networking session before we head back to the main room for a Special Guest Session with TV/radio legend Pat Sharp! Everyone knows who Pat Sharp is, so it is interesting and funny to listen to him speak about how he got an early big break and how his career has panned out over the years. Pat accompanies his talk with a funny slideshow and you would not believe how many Pat Sharp t-shirts there are! Bucket loads, I can tell you.
Even after all these years, and some ups and downs, it is clear to see that he still loves what he does. That wraps up Sunday’s sessions and it’s time to get ready for the evening’s awards dinner. So it’s on with the suit and a quick visit to the bar for a beer and a chat with some of the other jocks before heading to the awards dinner. Everyone is assigned a table, which is a good idea as it mixes everyone around so you aren’t sitting with the same people as you were for the daytime sessions, and each table is hosted by one of the sponsors.
Ours are very generous with the wine! After dinner it’s time for the awards ceremony hosted by Pat Sharp, who manages to keep things running smoothly while the trophies are handed out to their worthy recipients. This is swiftly followed by the evening’s entertainment. We are told the performers are superstars, but they look suspiciously like some of the DJs I have seen hanging around earlier in the day!
Nonetheless, they put on a great show to rapturous applause and lot of laughs before the star turn arrives, none other than Jive Bunny! Love or hate the bunny, there’s no denying it is a brilliant end to a fantastic Awards Dinner and we all head towards the bar in high spirits. PRO MOBILE CONFERENCE 201968 Now this is what it is all about, in the bar with a bunch of DJs, drinking beer, exchanging daft stories and trying to sound as if we know what we’re talking about (think I get away with it!).
The next thing we know the bar closes and it’s time for some sleep. After a late night, day two comes around all too quickly and there’s just time to grab a quick breakfast before heading back into the main Conference room. Paul kicks things off again with more magic and laughs, even teaching us how to do a very easy – but very impressive – trick at our own events, before handing over to Eddie who Let's us know the plans for the 2020 Conference. The theme for next year will be ‘Performance & Profit’ and not one, but two, lead keynote speakers will be heading across the pond to share their ideas and knowledge.
DJ, entertainer and host, Rob Ferre, will cover the ‘performance’ side of things, while wedding and event sales expert, Alan Berg, will help us to increase the profitability of our businesses. Back to this year, the first presentation of the second morning is from Tony Winyard , whose theme is ‘How To Increase Your Fees’ , a subject close to most DJs’ hearts. What Tony has to say makes complete sense, from knowing what your clients value, to the fact that we are selling peace of mind, but if one thing sticks out from everything it is “exceed expectations” .
As usual, there’s a short break for networking opportunities and refreshments before we head back in for our second speaker of the day, George Anderson, presenting ‘How To Bring The Energy To Your Performance’ . Now this is an interactive session. He has us playing table tennis (without the gear and I am just as rubbish at it as I am with the real stuff) and running around giving each other high fives while shouting out with increasing exuberance, great fun!
But there is a serious side to it all, DJing can have a detrimental impact on our health and wellbeing and we need to look after ourselves. The key point I take away from this is “progress not perfection” and it is certainly something I have been working on since the event. Following another networking lunch, this time in the hotel restaurant for a change of scenery, we find ourselves back for the final afternoon’s sessions. First up is the return of the lead keynote speaker, Mike Walter, with his presentation ‘Think and Grow’ .
This is all about the things you should think about in the multi-op arena, providing food for thought to DJs already doing it as well as those who are thinking of expanding their businesses in that direction. A large part of it is about how to treat your employees and, if that’s how Mike treats his team, I want a job with Wireless Microphone System • 2.4GHz band, optimal for microphone wireless • Less than 5ms latency • Simultaneous broadcasts on 6 channels • Broad 20Hz - 20KHz frequency response • 5 hours of battery life (Rechargeable battery for both Transmitter & Receiver) • Compatible with dynamic microphones • High Resolution 24-bit / 48kbps Audio • Dynamic Range: 110dB • Signal to Noise Ratio: 110dB • Approved for use in Europe, South America, Asia & Australia.
Plug and Play For the DJ Plug and Play XU3 Live VocalsPresentationInterview / Video Production Unleash your mic today! House of Worship him! One topic that is useful even for those of us who are happy to remain as single operators is the idea of upselling to a two-person package, now my wife likes that as she already thinks I take too much on by myself! Next up is the second workshop session and this time I chose ‘It’s All About The Music’ with Mastermix Label Manager, Richard Lee .
It’s obvious Richard is passionate about music as he hits the decks and explains about programming, influencing your clients and pushing your own musical boundaries. Does that include Jive Bunny then, of course it does if it works for you! Before the final speaker of the afternoon, we have a mid-afternoon breakout session and last opportunity to chat with the Conference sponsors. Then it’s back into the main room for Nick Saunders’ presentation, ‘Turn Relationships Into Results’ .
Now this is a fully immersive session, part listening and part interactive, with the latter involving an interesting card game that shows what type of person we each are. We even head outside to play swapsies with the cards! In the information-packed presentation, Nick shows us how to improve our interactions with our clients and guests while still being ourselves, backed up with amazing stories about his family and friends. It’s a great session and a great end to the Conference before Paul and Eddie wrap things up and we all head off on the journey home.
So, was it worth it? Absolutely, in fact in the words of Tony Winyard it “exceeds expectations” . Sure, like anything, you will get out of it as much as you want, so go into it with an open mind and you’ll take away stuff by the bucketload. It’s educational and fun, you get to play with some DJ toys, meet interesting people and take away a whole load of ideas to ‘Build Your DJ Business’ .
Will I go again, you bet, booked before I left, as did about 70% of the attendees! So see you next year and if you’re thinking about it, don’t, just book now, you won’t regret it! PRO MOBILE CONFERENCE 2020 Sunday 29th & Monday 30th March The Village Hotel, Solihull If you would like to join the UK’s most forwardthinking mobile DJs for two days of focussed learning, networking and professional development next year, book your place now! The 2020 Conference is already over 80% full! conference.promobile.online
