DJX '24: Top DJ Trade Show Delivers Winning Hand in AC
DJX Brings Exhibits, Seminars & Parties to the Jersey Shore from Aug. 5-8, 2024.
Atlantic City, N.J. – Once again, DJX brought the DJ world to Atlantic City and delivered a winning hand.
Held this past Aug. 5-8 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on AC’s legendary Boardwalk, DJX – the DJ industry’s longest-running trade show/exhibition – completed its 38th event since its 1990 incarnation. As always, DJX presented its unique combo of DJ-related technology exhibits, educational seminars, and sponsored After Dark parties. DJX is produced by DJ LIFE magazine and Hazan Media Group.
The Show: DJX ’24 delivered a packed schedule of exhibits, seminars, and sponsored parties. The show saw participation from exhibitor/sponsors like AlphaTheta/Pioneer DJ, QSC, DAS Audio, dB Technologies, Electro-Voice, Chauvet DJ, RCF USA, Technics, Mixed In Key, DJ.Studio, Mixware (including ColorKey, Headliner and Decksaver), Odyssey, On-Stage, Carnival Cruise Lines, Danny Max, Ape Labs, WeddingPro, JetPack, Ultimate Ears, and American Music and Sound (including Hercules, Reloop, Phase DJ, and Allen & Heath.). Additionally, nXt Summer Camp @ DJX returned for its second year.
Education: Along with its schedule of 37 topical seminars geared toward mobile, club, streaming, studio, and beginner jocks, DJX presented a pair of special “Keynote Q&A” sessions with industry notables. On Aug. 6, DJ/producer team Disco Fries (aka Nick Ditri and Danny Boselovic) discussed its rise through the dance-music ranks via the DJ booth and the studio, where the duo has collaborated with stars like Tiësto. On Aug. 7, superstar DJ/producer Laidback Luke offered highlights from his unique career, which has included hit records, gigs at legendary clubs and festivals, educational lectures, and DJ-product developments, like his recent Reloop Mixtour Pro controller.
After Dark: On Aug. 5, DJX’s After Dark series began at HQ2 at Ocean Casino Resort with a packed house enjoying an evening with Gimme Gimme Disco, the NYC-based party brand featuring retro tunes from DJs Holly T and CBJtheDream. On Aug. 6 back at the Hard Rock, DAS Audio and MobiBooth presented its “Twisted Tuesday” party, which featured the gifted turntablist Puffy, plus DJs Chitown Shani, CYD, Ease, Five Venoms, Immortal, Lady Shay, and Throdown.
On Aug. 7 at The Balcony in the Hard Rock, DJX presented B2B parties. First up, the “Millennium-Mixtape Party,” co-hosted by Jake Jacobsen and Mike Alevras, presented a cavalcade of mobile-friendly talent. Sponsored by RCF, the lineup included “Digital Dave” Lander, HB Monte, Kid Kasper, and DJ LG, among others. Afterwards, Mell Starr & Friendspresented “Disco & 40 Years of House Music.” Sponsored by RCF and AlphaTheta/Pioneer DJ, the event included performances from DJ Spinna, Natasha Diggs, Scram Jones, and Mell Starr.
What’s New: The DJX Sunset Sessions offered new opportunities for brands and attendees to connect over a relaxed environment that included food, drink, music and giveaways. On Aug. 5, QSC’s session in its demo room presented Jaymie Perez on the decks, while brand reps lauded and toasted DJX attendees and the DJ market. On Aug. 6, AlphaTheta held its session outside, which afforded attendees views of the Atlantic Ocean, as DJs played through the company’s battery-powered system – an OMNIS-DUO controller and WAVE-EIGHT speakers.
The show floor also featured the debut of THE EDIT, which showcased studio/production and content-creation technologies. Its brands included: Audio-Technica; Crate Hackers; DJ.Studio; Jdrumz; Mixed In Key; Open Studio Space; rekordbox; and RCF.
Also, Grammy-nominated DJ/producer Scram Jones, in collaboration with DJX, launched The Scramble, which showcased a lineup of diverse DJs that included Just Blaze, Throdown, Skribble, K-Sprinkles, Mell Starr, AS-1, Buck Rogers, Nick Spinelli, Boogie Blind, and DJ Ease. Hosted by Rock And Soul at the Technics booth on Aug. 7, The Scramble presented the DJs performing open-format sets centered around the “scrambling” of music genres, while incorporating the market’s newest DJ technologies.
Other new ventures included: the East Coast Portable Battle @ DJX; Master Classes in the show’s Education sector; the DJX Annex meet-up space; the DJX Wedding Lounge; The Influencer Space, an Electro-Voice collab; and Luther, The Humvee DJ Booth.
The Prizes: On Aug. 8, Dennis “DJ Kwick” Alcaino of Global Sound DJs & Entertainment in Sunrise, Fla., won the Ultimate DJ Giveaway. The winning system included products from the following exhibitor/sponsors: AlphaTheta Music Americas (AlphaTheta OMNIS-DUO controller, two Pioneer DJ XPRS2 loudspeakers, and Pioneer DJ XDJ-X7 headphones); BV Mobile Apps (BV Mobile Apps Platinum Service); ColorKey by Mixware (two Mover Spot 150 moving heads and two LS8 8-foot lighting stands); Electro-Voice (two EVERSE12 loudspeakers); Esstart (Instant Spotlight); Headliner by Mixware (Indio portable DJ booth); JetPack (JetPack Slim Backpack); JMAZ (Firestorm F3 Chrome 2 Pack); Mixed In Key (Complete Collection); Odyssey (Odyssey Smart Laptop Stand with High-Speed 3.2 Media Hub); RockNRoller (RockNRoller Multi-Cart R12STEALTH); Ultimate Ears (two pairs of UE-11 PRO in-ear monitors); and VIBO DJ (VIBO Touring DJ camo backpack).
Also, DJX offered daily giveaways from the following brands: BV Mobile Apps; Carnival Cruise Line; Electro-Voice; Esstart; Headliner by Mixware; JetPack; JMAZ Lighting; Loomis Company; Mixed In Key; and Odyssey.
The Reaction: “With DJX’24, we were thrilled to continue to see a robust, multi-faceted DJ industry, with all branches exuding strength and enthusiasm,” said Jim Tremayne, Editor of DJ LIFE and a show organizer. “No matter your DJ calling – mobile, club, studio, whatever – we believe DJX had something for you. As always, we at DJX and DJ LIFE magazine thank the exhibitors, sponsors, performers, panelists and attendees for their participation and support. Thanks to them, the show continues to thrive and grow.”
“DJX ’24 has been a transformative milestone for our community and the industry at large,” said Shawn Hazan, President/CEO of Hazan Media Group. “The energy, engagement, and feedback we’ve received from attendees, exhibitors, and talent alike have been nothing short of extraordinary. This year’s event truly embodied our vision of what DJX can be – a dynamic, must-attend experience that not only sets the bar, but also inspires innovation and collaboration. We’re incredibly proud of what we achieved together, and it only fuels our commitment to making DJX more dynamic.”
The response from exhibitors and attendees was upbeat:
“This year’s DJX was our best experience to date. Our demo room was packed throughout the show with highly engaged and enthusiastic DJs looking to offer a premium experience for their clients. The show exceeded our expectations in terms of number of visitors to our demo room, as well as the positive feedback we received about our products and our brand. We can’t wait to be back next year.”
– Ray van Straten, QSC, Costa Mesa, Calif.
“I have been coming to Atlantic City in August since 2006, and the show gets better every year! DJX has become the gold standard for a DJ show, and I can't wait until the DJX ’25 to again see some amazing people, vendors, and shows – and to make new DJX memories!
– Jay Brannan, AlphaTheta Corp., Torrance, Calif.
“DJX 2024 was an incredible success… This year, we reinforced our commitment to supporting the hard-working DJs who, week after week, rely on top-tier performance speakers to power their events. From our booth to the vibrant EV DJX Influencer activation area, we are thrilled to have been part of DJX – such a dynamic event – and we look forward to continuing our support for the DJs who trust in Electro-Voice.”
– Marco Arujo, Electro-Voice, Burnsville, Minn.
“DJX is the perfect event to showcase all our brands’ latest offerings and it offers valuable face-to-face time with DJs, industry tastemakers, and top artists. The 2024 DJX was bigger and better with an all-new layout and new, engaging content. “
– Dave Arevalo, Mixware, Sun Valley, Calif.
“Every year, I go to DJX. Sometimes I speak, sometimes I exhibit, and sometimes I just go to go. This year, I did all of those, and it was well worth the trip up from North Carolina. This conference just keeps getting better. I’ll see you all again there next year!”
– Joe Bunn, Bunn DJ Company, Raleigh, N.C.
“The night-time events were the best ever, especially the closing party! I haven’t danced that much in years. Looking forward to DJX ’25!”
– John Feelgood, The Scene Kings, NYC
“Thanks to the team for the continued hard work and effort at DJX and at DJ LIFE magazine. I look forward to next year’s show.”
– Juan Posso, IDJNow, Ronkonkoma, N.Y.
“DJX continues to get better and better year over year. The conversations in the halls and the sessions are a great juxtaposition to the high energy and intensity of the exhibit hall. This is a ‘must-attend’ for any DJ who’s looking to grow and level up.”
– DJ Hapa, The DJ Coach, Los Angeles
“Every year there is a gathering of DJs like no other – that only happens at DJX. The camaraderie, energy, education and gear-purchasing opportunities are off-the-charts awesome. DJX’24 was a hugely successful event once again, and we're already planning to attend next year!”
– Jake Jacobsen, A2R Entertainment, Cumming, Ga.
“Being an exhibitor at DJX 2024 was the perfect storm for meeting DJs, getting feedback, and sharing our story for lasting relationships.”
– Matthew Campbell, My Wedding Songs, Las Vegas
“DJX 2024 was a great week! Between the awesome showroom floor, the fantastic seminars, and the exciting nighttime activities, I had such an awesome time. And the networking with my fellow DJ industry peers was spectacular, as well. Can't wait ’til next year!”
– Mike Walter, Elite Entertainment, Tinton Falls, N.J.
“I fully enjoyed the master class on Tuesday! Hapa is a great and passionate teacher. I am so glad that I participated in the class. It was my first DJX and it gave me a very fun experience, too. I will keep practicing what I learned in the class to improve my skill!”
– Tatsuya Nakamura, Tribe XR, NYC
“I had a great time launching ‘The Scramble’ at DJX. I always wanted to have my own event with DJs I respect. It was more of a showcase, but I hope to grow it into a moving party for music lovers. Shout out to all the DJs that participated.”
– Scram Jones, DJ/Producer, NYC
“This year’s DJX has been an absolute blast – definitely my favorite yet. There was something special in the air.”
– Aaron Traylor, Crate Hackers, Nashville, Tenn.
“DJX is not a conference… it is culture. It’s the lifeblood of the DJ industry. It is tradition and it needs to continue. DJX has changed the landscape of the industry.”
– Joshua Lask, LB Entertainment, Monroe, N.Y.
“As a participant of the Expo since 2001, both as a vendor and an attendee, I continue to look forward to the event every August. My focus is not solely on the number of attendees or the manufacturers exhibiting, but rather on reconnecting with fellow DJs from across the country. The late-night discussions about equipment and music remain a highlight, and I am consistently inspired by witnessing my favorite DJs perform under challenging conditions. I approach each Expo with an open mind and the anticipation of forming lasting relationships. To me, DJX represents a unique community where individuals, though not related by blood, are considered family.”
– Jason Longobardo, Top Notch Event Productions, Trumbull, Conn.
DJX is produced by DJ LIFE Magazine and Hazan Media Group, which is based in Oyster Bay, N.Y.