The past two months have reminded us how quickly the mobile DJ world can shift, yet also how much energy and opportunity still course through our scene. We anticipated details of BPM 2025 during the week ending June 13th; instead, PLASA let the date pass and later explained they are "still building a list of working partners and waiting until we feel we have enough to share with everyone." Had an October show been locked in, the venue, timetable, and hotel blocks would already be public.
Rather than wait on a maybe, the National Executive Committee (NEC) decided to press on with plans for an NADJ Experience and AGM that will stand, whatever BPM finally chooses to do. The format echoes our successful 2023 Lutterworth meet-up: one focused day, a central location, free parking, on-site rooms, and an agenda that mixes technical sessions, structured speed networking, and a relaxed social afterwards. That blend proved its worth last time&mdash;delegates made new contacts, suppliers enjoyed quality conversations, and no one lost a full weekend of bookings.
We&rsquo;re planning for the same core experience, with improvements based on direct feedback from attendees. For example, we&rsquo;re increasing the networking time for newer members to have more one-to-one access with experienced DJs. We're also adding space for breakout discussions on business development, lighting control, and venue relationships. These are areas members consistently ask to learn more about, and we want to meet that demand in practical, peer-led ways. The date for the NADJ 2025 Experience has been earmarked for Saturday, November 22nd, subject to final confirmation. We&rsquo;re close to securing the venue and will announce full details as soon as possible so members can plan travel and accommodation accordingly.
There will also be a renewed focus on supplier participation. We&rsquo;ve already had strong interest from brands that want to spend more time in front of real working DJs, not just scrolling social algorithms. The Lutterworth format worked because everyone came with something to offer and something to learn&mdash;whether it was a controller firmware quirk or how to handle guest requests diplomatically when they clash with the couple&rsquo;s brief. That spirit of openness and relevance will remain central.
It was great to attend the All Systems Go 4 event at Techformusic recently and catch up with several familiar faces. Events like these remind us how important it is to keep connections active outside the formal conference setting. It was a pleasure to bump into local DJs, as well as Rob and Naomi from Chauvet, Arthur from EV, and the ever-committed Ian, Ryan, and the whole Techformusic team. Thanks to all involved for the warm welcome and the valuable conversations throughout the day.
Remembering Dr. "Hugo" Drax: A Legacy of Generosity
While looking ahead, we also pause to acknowledge Dr. &ldquo;Hugo&rdquo; Drax, whose passing shook the international DJ community. Hugo was a tireless supporter of the American Disc Jockey Association and generously shared its constitution so that it could be adapted for the creation of NADJ here in the UK. He pioneered work on digital-audio standards and high-powered laser systems, and his &ldquo;Draxwear&rdquo; jackets were as memorable as his encyclopaedic answers to questions on file formats and playback hardware.
More important than any single achievement was his willingness to help: countless DJs credit him with career-shaping advice delivered in person, online, or over a show-floor coffee. His influence will be felt every time a colleague chooses quality over convenience or offers guidance to a newcomer. Those who worked with Hugo describe him as a walking reference library&mdash;always on, always learning, and always sharing. He could break down bitrates, laser classes, or DMX safety in language that made sense to the rest of us, and more importantly, he did so with kindness. Hugo&rsquo;s legacy will remain not just in the ideas he shared, but in the way he shared them&mdash;generously, freely, and without ego.
The Shifting Retail Landscape
Back on home soil, the retail landscape has taken a knock. Play Music Today has entered administration, and PreBeat has closed its Hartlepool shop. These are not just storefronts; they are demo rooms, spare-parts counters, training hubs, and local employers. When they disappear, the whole ecosystem falters&mdash;manufacturer feedback loops weaken, repair turn-arounds lengthen, and new DJs lose the chance to hear a system before buying.
We all urge wedding clients to support small businesses; we must apply the same principle when buying gear. Price-checking is sensible, but think beyond the headline figure. A retailer who carries spares, hosts meet-ups, and answers the phone on a Friday afternoon is worth more than a faceless warehouse with no number to call. These closures also represent a loss of heritage and confidence. Many DJs remember their first time walking into PreBeat or PMT, seeing gear properly set up, being talked through options by someone who understood both performance and budget. 
You can&rsquo;t replicate that in a product description. For new entrants to the profession, the loss of these outlets is a real barrier. We are left with fewer places to touch, test, and talk about the equipment we rely on night after night.
NADJ will continue to advocate for strong relationships between retailers and working DJs. I&rsquo;ve recently spoken with Alex at Intersound in Leicester following their move, and they&rsquo;re keen to host a NADJ Midlands meeting on a Sunday. It&rsquo;s encouraging to see independent retailers looking to connect directly with DJs in their region, and we&rsquo;ll be exploring this opportunity to support local engagement. We encourage members to give feedback to suppliers&mdash;both positive and constructive&mdash;and to support those who support us.
This includes attendance at meet-ups, sponsorship of education days, and being available when it matters most. In turn, we commit to keeping lines of communication open between DJs, venues, suppliers, and educators, so that everyone involved in live performance has the tools they need to deliver at their best.
The Value of Association: Peer Support and Forward Momentum
Amid these changes, it was encouraging to hear our NEC colleague Dan Ross speak on the Mobile DJ Mastery podcast. Dan highlighted three themes that resonate strongly with our current work: the need for realistic pricing guidance, the value of peer support to combat solo-operator isolation, and the importance of transparent, forward-looking associations. He invited newer DJs to tap into mentoring and urged seasoned professionals to share experience. His appearance underlines why NADJ exists: insurance and lobbying matter, but so do friendship, shared learning, and a sense of belonging to something bigger than any one rig or playlist. Dan spoke openly about his own journey in the industry&mdash;from figuring out how to charge properly, to realising that working alone can sometimes feel like you&rsquo;re missing out on community.
He pointed out that associations are uniquely placed to bridge that gap. Not through red tape or corporate layers, but through one-to-one support, regional groups, practical advice, and collective representation. 
He also made the point that associations must keep pace with the times. That means making it easier for people to join, delivering relevant benefits, and showing up where our members already are&mdash;whether that&rsquo;s at venues, online spaces, or industry events. It means being realistic about the challenges of the job, while helping DJs navigate them with confidence.
As a committee, we&rsquo;ve taken that message seriously. We&rsquo;ve reviewed our communications, planning more direct updates and making our internal processes easier to follow. We&rsquo;re improving member resources and expanding our toolkit for local reps so they can run events and support networks more effectively in their own areas. This includes providing ready-made workshop formats, supplier contact templates, and practical guides to common challenges like writing contracts or pricing seasonal work. 
The upcoming NADJ Experience will put these ideas into action. We&rsquo;re planning sessions that deal with real working conditions&mdash;how to work alongside other suppliers, how to handle last-minute client changes, and how to approach venues that have tight restrictions. There&rsquo;ll also be space to talk about mental resilience, marketing as a solo operator, and how to build better referral systems between DJs.
Engagement and Evolution: Looking to the Future
The association continues to grow, albeit slowly. Despite a thriving online hub, the majority of conversations and interactions are still very much NEC-led, with many members favouring other Facebook groups for their regular dose of DJ-related social interaction. While it&rsquo;s great to see so much activity across the wider scene, please consider replenishing what you take from the association&mdash;because, as ever, you get out what you put in.
While we&rsquo;re on the subject of communication: we send out emails three to four times each month, yet barely anyone ever replies. If you don&rsquo;t like the content, or want to suggest something different, just hit reply and tell us! We want to serve the membership effectively, but we need that two-way conversation.
The association is in a happier and healthier place than when I was elected. But I also promised a three-year term as chairman, and with the next round of NEC elections taking place this November, 
now is the time to start making some noise if you&rsquo;re considering standing. The term beginning November 2025 will need fresh ideas and committed individuals who are prepared to carry NADJ forward.
We also need to talk openly about resources. At present, volunteers on the NEC are covering an average of ten hours of admin work every week&mdash;entirely unpaid. If the association is to grow at the pace that members often ask for, we need to restructure. That means moving to a CIC (Community Interest Company) model and creating a dedicated, paid admin position. Both have been discussed in depth by the NEC, and we believe they represent the next logical step if we want to professionalise NADJ&rsquo;s operation while keeping its values intact. We opened a member consultation on this and received two, possibly three responses&mdash;another reminder that if you have opinions about the direction of the association, now is the time to speak up and get involved.
Full details of the 2025 NADJ Experience and AGM will follow shortly. For now, keep dates as flexible as you can, back the retailers that back you, and carry forward the generous spirit Hugo Drax embodied. Busy dance-floors may be our everyday target, yet it&rsquo;s the community around the decks that keeps our industry vibrant.
A Call to Arms: Nurturing the Next Generation of DJs
As we look to build NADJ's future, a vital part of our evolution is actively supporting the next generation of mobile DJs. We need your help to reach aspiring young talent! NADJ now offers free youth membership for aspiring DJs aged 13-17, with limited places available and a commitment to match every sponsored place. This is an incredible opportunity for young enthusiasts to kickstart their journey in the industry, benefiting from virtual workshops, events, and training with enhanced DBS holders, as well as invaluable mentoring from experienced NADJ professionals. They&rsquo;ll receive a digital welcome pack and certificate, gain access to our supportive DJ community, and we're even working to fund free youth member access to leading DJ trade shows and conferences. 
These memberships offer a chance to meet other DJs of all ages, learn and share skills, and help direct NADJ as they grow with the UK&rsquo;s largest DJ association. If you know a young, budding DJ, please encourage them to apply or express interest today at www.nadj.org.uk. For industry partners or members looking to help us double the impact of this initiative, please get in touch to sponsor a youth membership &ndash; together, we can nurture the future of our profession.

NADJ Jul/Aug 2025 Update