2023 Harvest Of Sound – Recap

Boston Marriott Burlington

One Burlington Mall Road
Burlington, MA 01803

Boston Marriott - Burlington

Our 2023 Top Sponsors

ElectroVoice
NLFX Professional
NLFX Professional
Pioneer DJ
NLFX Professional
NLFX Professional
NLFX Professional
NLFX Professional

Day 1 - Monday 12/11/23 Schedule

Day 1
8:00a – 9:55a

Registration & Badge Pickup
It’s time to pick up your tickets, or if you haven’t registered yet to sign up and be part of the action. The sooner you get your tickets, the bigger the savings.
Chris Washburn
Day 1
All Day
SHOW HOST: Chris Washburn
Chris's Biography
Chris is a passionate superhero fan nerd that also loves Céline Dion, Korean barbecue, golden retrievers and occasionally his wife. He won 16 intramural championships while attending Ithaca College in an array of sports, including ping-pong, flag football softball, and coed volleyball. Speaking of winning, Chris is also a notable player in the high stakes poker world as he regularly plays on some of the world’s most popular televised poker shows. Things Chris despises are inauthenticity, conversational narcissists, tofu, and snakes. If you wanna know more about his DJ career, there’s plenty of content and press kit material on his social media and only fans. You can also Google or ask ChatGPT.
Meet the founders Lou, Tyler, and Chris on stage
Day 1
9:55a – 10:00a
Opening Remarks
Join Tyler, Chris, and Lou as we embark on our 2023 expo!
Tori Vee
Day 1
10:00a – 11:00a
KEYNOTE: Tori Vee - Pushing Past Discomfort and Adversity

The title says it all.

Tori's Biography
Tori Vee seamlessly transitions from the turntables to the conference stage, bringing authenticity and heartfelt insight as a featured speaker. Drawing from her eclectic experiences, Tori discusses the profound connections we make through shared moments, be it a song or a story. Away from the limelight, her affection for animals, her dedication to motivation as an Orange Theory Coach, and her love for nerdy passions make her relatable and down-to-earth. With a genuine approach to storytelling and a warmth evident in her legendary hugs, Tori Vee speaks to the heart from the heart, resonating with audiences and leaving a lasting impact.
Mike Walter
Day 1
11:00a – 12:00p
Mike Walter: Lessons From My 35 Years As A Mobile DJ
Mike began his career at a very successful multi-op, Star DJs, and after 5 years there, he went on to own and operate his own business, Elite Entertainment. Along the way, he’s experienced a lot and learned even more, and in this seminar he will be sharing some tips about sales and marketing, training and managing talent, and staying relevant to have a decades-long career in the business.
Mike's Biography
Mike Walter is the proud owner of Elite Entertainment, a Multi-System DJ Company in New Jersey that has been selected by TheKnot.com and WeddingWire.com as a top Entertainment company in the country. For over 30 years, he has MCed events from weddings to fashion shows and beauty pageants and his public speaking experience and acumen have served him well as a presenter. He began to offer seminars in 1998, at first specifically to the DJ Industry, then he expanded to speaking to event groups and finally to any and all audiences.

Mike has published three books, Running Your Multi-Op which is widely consider the most comprehensive book for anyone interested in expanding their DJ business, the self-help primer, Ten Things You Can Do to Have a Better Day and the music history compendium: On This Date in Music. He’s also released a number of education videos to help his fellow DJs and business owners. In 2014 he partnered with Joe Bunn to start the PhDJ Workshop and in 2017 the two began a weekly podcast called the PhDJ Podcast. For more information head to DJMikeWalter.com and OnThisDateInMusic.com

ElectroVoice

Day 1
12:00p-12:20p

EV Highlight Performance
Ben Stowe & Lou Paris
Day 1
12:20p-3:00p
The Harvest Of Sound Speaker Shootout
The Speaker Shootout, shepherded by Ben Stowe and Lou Paris, is unlike anything in the industry. It gives you the opportunity to not only see actual measurements in the room, but to also hear each speaker side by side under real world conditions. No other expo has this level of approachability to hearding sound in a real world environment and you are able to ask two experts in the industry the most technical questions you can muster.
Mike Walter
Day 1
3:00p – 4:00p
Cleveland Terry: TBD
…
Cleveland's Biography

Cleveland Terry is a renowned DJ, YouTube influencer, and the founder of CheckOne2 Enterprises. With a deep passion for music and an innate ability to read a crowd, Cleveland has become a sought-after DJ in the industry. His DJ sets are known for their seamless mix of genres and contagious energy, making every event he performs at an unforgettable experience.

With his magnetic personality and undeniable talent, Cleveland Terry has made a significant impact on both the YouTube community and the DJing scene. Whether through his captivating dj tech & business videos or his electrifying DJ sets, Cleveland continues to inspire and entertain people around the world with his love for music and his commitment to his craft.

Tony Fernandez
Day 1
4:00p – 5:00p
Tony Fernandez: Sound Reinforcement
We all do it. Let’s do it better. Let’s talk about the right size rig for the gig. Decibel levels and what they REALLY mean and how they work in the real world. Watts and what the real numbers are. Manage the expectations of your clients and what you want to deliver. We’ll talk about not what’s best, but what’s best FOR YOU.
Tony's Biography
Born and raised in NYC gave Tony his foundation for the love of music. He carried that passion to Virginia where he established himself in high school, college and the greater Richmond area. Whether working mobile events, corporate events, weddings, college events, nightclubs or festivals, he’s always ready for the party at hand. The passion for music has also led to a passion of sound reinforcement. Doing events for 75 people, 275 people or 5,275 people, Tony will ensure that every patron comes away with the best experience. Presenter at DJ Times / DJX since 2018
Ben Stowe
Day 1
5:00p – 5:30p
Ben Stowe: Three Critical Aspects Of Sound

It’s time to put on our lab coats and pull out the abacuses, because we are going to deep dive into three critical aspects of sound. 

Ben's Biography

Ben serves the industry as the President of NLFX Professional, an industry leading supplier of sound, lighting and video systems, a role he has maintained since founding the company in 1993. His love for electronics and technology were inspired from the age of 5. Encouraged by a neighbor who ran a TV repair shop, Ben’s enthusiasm flourished into his education in Electricity, Electronics, Robotics, and Lasers. His relentless passion for education has led to a numerous certifications and accreditations, handling massive critical environments like NCAA Division 1 Football, large scale concerts, and even training various US Armed Forces branches and more. In 2023 Ben was inducted into the inaugural class of the Mobile Entertainment Hall of Fame. His technical writings, lectures, presentations, are globally known as well as research and development assistance with a number of manufacturers for industry-wide products.

 

Oh yeah, he likes Star Wars too. 🙂

Josh Staley
Day 1
5:30p – 6:30p
Josh Staley: Time To Upgrade Your Website
Is your website a sales powerhouse or a client repellent? In today’s hyper-evolving digital sphere, client expectations evolve at warp speed. Fall behind, and your sales suffer. Uncover the secrets to rapidly elevate your site, simplifying future updates, and crafting a website that’s the ultimate embodiment of your brand.
Josh's Biography
Josh Staley, the Owner & Lead DJ of Josh Staley Productions, the visionary behind Turn Up Columbus & Turn Up Nashville, and the founder of Faction DJ Bootcamp, co-founder of the Multi-op Mastermind. What began as casual Spotify tracks with college buddies has since evolved into a powerhouse team of skilled DJs across three companies, rocking over 500 events annually. Residing in Granville, Ohio, with his wife and two kids, Josh passionately DJs on weekends. He’s now channeling significant resources into grooming the next DJ generation while championing equality and reshaping DJ standards.
Richard Post
Day 1
6:30p – 7:30p
Richard Post: Wireless - From Zero To Hero
Wireless microphones in our sound solutions are critical as they are the first impression many have of us as professionals. We will look at radio frequency selection and execution tips along with touching on some live sound audio issues.
Richard's Biography
With over two decades of experience in the DJ industry, embodies a successful blend of passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to making every event unforgettable. With over 300 weddings under his belt, Rich’s journey has been a continuous learning experience, emphasizing the value of preparation, dedication, and always striving for improvement. Rich is passionate about sharing his collected experience and knowledge to inspire and guide the next generation on their own journey in the world of DJing.
Stephanie Rivkin

Night 1
9:00p – 12:00a

PARTY! Karaoke w/ Stephanie Rivkin
It’s time to let loose and enjoy the night with some fun karaoke. Let your guard down and belt some vocals!

Day 2 - Tuesday 12/12/23 Schedule

Chris Washburn

Day 2
All Day

SHOW HOST: Chris Washburn
Chris's Biography
Chris is a passionate superhero fan nerd that also loves Céline Dion, Korean barbecue, golden retrievers and occasionally his wife. He won 16 intramural championships while attending Ithaca College in an array of sports, including ping-pong, flag football softball, and coed volleyball. Speaking of winning, Chris is also a notable player in the high stakes poker world as he regularly plays on some of the world’s most popular televised poker shows. Things Chris despises are inauthenticity, conversational narcissists, tofu, and snakes. If you wanna know more about his DJ career, there’s plenty of content and press kit material on his social media and only fans. You can also Google or ask ChatGPT.
Day 2
9:00a – 10:00a
Registration & Badge Pickup
It’s time to pick up your tickets, or if you haven’t registered yet to sign up and be part of the action. The sooner you get your tickets, the bigger the savings.
Matt Radicelli
Day 2
9:00a – 10:00a
Matt Radicelli: Advanced Reporting Strategies – Using Data to Make Informed Business Decisions

Advanced reporting metrics can transform your approach to business in the entertainment industry. Learn how to harness the predictive power of data to identify trends, make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and innovate. This seminar is a beacon for DJs and other event professionals aspiring to elevate their strategies and foresight.

Matt's Biography
Matt is an Executive Coach, Serial Entrepreneur, Presenter, DJ, and Event Pro. Matt recently sold his largest event-based businesses and founded Mentor Pods Group Coaching. With a 50/50 split for creative and analytical skills and an expert level understanding of all business disciplines, his passion is ‘leveling up’ business owners and executives. Above all else, Matt keeps his priorities straight. Family first. Period.
Mike Walter
Day 2
10:00a – 11:00a
Rachel Lynch: From Clicks to Connections
In today’s digital age, customers value authenticity and a personal connection with the companies they support. With the rise of social media and the demand for genuine and engaging content, DJ Rachel explores the power of vlogging to enhance your marketing efforts and attract more business to your brand. This seminar delves into leveraging video content to connect with your target audience, boost your online presence, and ultimately achieve tremendous business success. Prepare to elevate your marketing game to the next level with content that truly matters.
Rachel's Biography
DJ Rachel is an energetic open-format DJ specializing in weddings and unique celebrations. With over 15 years of experience, she commands any dance floor with a fresh and timeless mixing style. With a 10-year nightlife residency as well as opening for iconic entertainers including George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, and Disco Queen Gloria Gaynor, DJ Rachel has conclusively emerged as a premier DJ in the North East and a globally known content creator. 
Lou Paris
Day 2
11:00a – 12:00p
Lou Paris: Advanced Ceremony Talk
For some people, a ceremony system can mean just so basic playback, maybe a microphone to capture some sound. But for others a ceremony can be not only a profitable edition, but one of incredible sound projection, capture, and an elevated experience for your clients. Take a journey into DJ Lou’s ceremony setup, and other ceremony system concepts, as we explore the why’s of advanced ceremony solutions, how each piece is an intricate addition, and in the end produce extraordinary ceremonies for your clients.
Lou's Biography
Lou Paris DJ career started in 1988, initially as a roadie for a friend it quickly turned to a joint venture. From there Lou grasped onto college radio and DJing various house parties at SUNY Canton ultimately parlaying into commercial radio intitally in VT and landing in Washington DC. Lou also had various stints in the club circuit including DC Live and The Ritz nightclubs.

Coincidentally, Lou is also a successful 25+ year IT professional which initially saw Lou hanging up his headphones for 13 years (mostly) until the opportunity arose to start a sucessful wedding DJ buisiness. From there Lou has become a leader in the Mobile DJ industry merging his technology knowledge with his passion for music.

ElectroVoice

Day 2
12:00p-12:20p

EV Highlight Performance
Lou Paris

Day 2
12:20p – 2:00p

Floor Focus
A dedicated time slot so our incredible vendors can have your undivided attention.
Ben Stowe
Day 2
2:00p – 2:30p
Ben Stowe: It's Not Business, It's Personal
Take some time to learn more about the successes and struggles that Ben has encountered through his life and career.
Ben's Biography
Ben serves the industry as the President of NLFX Professional, an industry leading supplier of sound, lighting and video systems, a role he has maintained since founding the company in 1993. His love for electronics and technology were inspired from the age of 5. Encouraged by a neighbor who ran a TV repair shop, Ben’s enthusiasm flourished into his education in Electricity, Electronics, Robotics, and Lasers. His relentless passion for education has led to a numerous certifications and accreditations, handling massive critical environments like NCAA Division 1 Football, large scale concerts, and even training various US Armed Forces branches and more. In 2023 Ben was inducted into the inaugural class of the Mobile Entertainment Hall of Fame. His technical writings, lectures, presentations, are globally known as well as research and development assistance with a number of manufacturers for industry-wide products.

Oh yeah, he likes Star Wars too. 🙂

Lou Paris
Day 2
2:30p – 3:00p
Lou Paris: Taking Command Of Your Business w/ cue
Lou simply hit a point of frustration using some of the other platforms out there, to the point he was crazy enough to start a whole new platform with some fundamental differences.
Lou's Biography
Lou Paris has been DJing since 1988 and has a deep passion for music of all styles and genres and became a wedding DJ in 2012. Coincidentally, Lou is also a successful 25+ year IT professional and has merged many technology concepts to ensure a successful night of entertainment.
Lou Paris

Day 2
3:00p – 4:30p

Floor Focus
A dedicated time slot so our incredible vendors can have your undivided attention.
Mike Napoli
Day 2
4:30p – 5:00p
Mike Napoli: Creating the Perfect Mixtape
Prepare for a massive deep dive into how Mike integrates solutions like Ableton into his live DJ Sets. We’ll explore the core DJ skill set, emphasizing the importance of transcending the role of a mere human Spotify playlist and expanding your knowledge and skill repertoire to enhance your DJ performances.
Mike's Biography
Mike, a seasoned DJ, ignited his career in 1997 at the age of 14, fueled by an unrelenting passion for music and a diverse range of genres. His musical journey encompasses an appreciation for early 90’s old-school hip-hop and iconic figures like John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Curtis Mayfield, coupled with a fascination for battle DJs and mixtape luminaries like DJ Premier, Kid Capri, and DJAM. With a talent that shone brightly, he earned second place in a 2005 local DJ competition, propelling him into residencies at local clubs and gigs with bands. In 2011, he ventured into private events, steadily growing his company, SoundFormula Entertainment, all while pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity in his craft.
Rohit Goswamy
Day 2
5:00p – 6:00p
Rohit Goswamy: Handling Multicultural Events
…
Rohit's Biography
…
Rob Peters
Day 2
6:00p – 7:00p
Rob Peters: Rolling With Change At Your Event
Country music icon Dolly Parton once said “We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.” Mobile DJs have to deal with situations that cause changes on a frequent basis. In this seminar, industry veteran Rob Peters discusses how to deal with change and the unexpected in your mobile DJ business and throughout an event. Using real industry situations and examples, Rob will help DJs and business owners understand how DJs handle change can be beneficial, and/or could affect the bottom line. From contract issues with clients to specific event situations, this seminar will help DJs be better prepared.
Rob's Biography
For over 30 years, Rob Peters of Rob Peters Entertainment in Massachusetts has developed services and branded his services to appeal to specific audiences and client bases for unique and fun services. Having a targeted approach to his business, Rob’s companies survived COVID and has been recognized in the marketplace for Trivia, Game Shows and Corporate Entertainment, RPE also has previous success with kids entertainment with specialized emphasis in the day care industry.

Night 2 - Tuesday 12/12/23 Schedule

Tony Fernandez

8:00p – 8:20p

Rohit Goswamy

Josh Staley
8:20p – 8:40p

Josh Staley

David Sporn a.k.a. Dook
8:40p – 9:00p

Dook

DJ Tumi
9:00p – 9:20p

DJ Tumi

Tony Fernandez
9:20p – 9:40p

DJ Tony F

Jules Flava
9:40p – 10:00p

Jules Flava

DJ Lou Paris Performance
10:00p – 10:20p

DJ Lou Paris

Stephanie Rivkin
10:20p – 10:40p

Cleveland Terry

Kung Fu DJ
10:40p- 11:00p

Kung Fu DJ

Stephanie Rivkin
11:00p – 11:20p

DJ Caitlin

Stephanie Rivkin
11:20p – 12:00a

Team Ragoza

Stephanie Rivkin
12:00a – 1:00a

Skratch Bastid

Day 3 - Wednesday 12/13/23 Schedule

Chris Washburn

Day 3
All Day

SHOW HOST: Chris Washburn
Chris's Biography
Chris is a passionate superhero fan nerd that also loves Céline Dion, Korean barbecue, golden retrievers and occasionally his wife. He won 16 intramural championships while attending Ithaca College in an array of sports, including ping-pong, flag football softball, and coed volleyball. Speaking of winning, Chris is also a notable player in the high stakes poker world as he regularly plays on some of the world’s most popular televised poker shows. Things Chris despises are inauthenticity, conversational narcissists, tofu, and snakes. If you wanna know more about his DJ career, there’s plenty of content and press kit material on his social media and only fans. You can also Google or ask ChatGPT.
Day 3
9:00a – 10:00a
Registration & Badge Pickup
It’s time to pick up your tickets, or if you haven’t registered yet to sign up and be part of the action. The sooner you get your tickets, the bigger the savings.
Tony Fernandez
Day 3
9:00a – 10:00a
Tony Fernandez: Music Roundtable
Let’s talk about the ONE thing that unites ALL DJs. We’ll do a deep dive into how music affects us and our patrons. We’ll discuss remixes, how they work or don’t work. Let’s talk about how DJs should be well versed and prepared with the tools at their disposal and discuss the pro’s and con’s of playlists.
Tony's Biography
Born and raised in NYC gave Tony his foundation for the love of music. He carried that passion to Virginia where he established himself in high school, college and the greater Richmond area. Whether working mobile events, corporate events, weddings, college events, nightclubs or festivals, he’s always ready for the party at hand. The passion for music has also led to a passion of sound reinforcement. Doing events for 75 people, 275 people or 5,275 people, Tony will ensure that every patron comes away with the best experience. Presenter at DJ Times / DJX since 2018
Thomas Heath
Day 3
10:00a – 11:00a
Thomas Heath: Being A M.C. Doesn't Make You Lame
This presentation is all about how a DJ can become an amazing Master of Ceremonies (MC) at weddings and events. It’s packed with practical tips to engage the crowd, add storytelling magic to your DJ sets, and keep the energy soaring. We’ll talk about how to smoothly blend your DJ and MC roles, adapt to the vibe of the room, and create those unforgettable surprise moments. By mastering both roles, you can truly make any event unforgettable and leave everyone talking about it for years to come.
Thomas's Biography
Meet Thomas Heath, the guy who takes events to the next level. He’s not just a DJ; he’s a master of ceremonies (MC) on a mission to make events unforgettable. But here’s what makes Thomas unique – he’s not your average event enthusiast. He’s a married man who knows how to create memorable moments personally and professionally. Beyond the turntables, he’s a violin player, adding a musical twist to his skills. Plus, he’s a video game aficionado, always leveling up the excitement. And there’s more to Thomas. He’s a passionate pit bull advocate and rescuer, spreading positivity in the real world. With years of experience and a passion for creating unforgettable moments, Thomas has been a featured speaker at events like Wedding MBA, Midwest DJs Live, ARMDJs, and more. 
Lou Paris
Day 3
11:00a – 12:00p
Floor Focus
A dedicated time slot so our incredible vendors can have your undivided attention.
ElectroVoice

Day 3
11:40a-12:00p

EV Highlight Performance
Tech Roundtable
Day 3
12:00p – 1:00p
The Tech Roundtable
Join Ben, Lou, and Tyler on a talk on tech from all different angles.
Matt Radicelli
Day 3
1:00p – 2:00p
Matt Radicelli: What’s Next? – Leaning into the Power Quarter

Let’s slay those dragons and eat some frogs! You’ll leave this interactive workshop session with actionable takeaways and goals to implement nuggets from this conference. Delve into what keeps you up at night, what’s stopping you from forward movement, and empower yourself (and your team) to drive success in your business. 

Matt's Biography
Matt is an Executive Coach, Serial Entrepreneur, Presenter, DJ, and Event Pro. Matt recently sold his largest event-based businesses and founded Mentor Pods Group Coaching. With a 50/50 split for creative and analytical skills and an expert level understanding of all business disciplines, his passion is ‘leveling up’ business owners and executives. Above all else, Matt keeps his priorities straight. Family first. Period.
Nick Duve
Day 3
2:00p-3:00p
Nick Duve: Peace & Profit - The Balance of True Success

My journey of how embracing sacrifice and leading with values can eventually lead to both personal and financial success

Nick's Biography

Nick Duve, a seasoned Event Host and DJ with over 23 years in the industry, stands out as a single-op DJ with extensive expertise and experience in both multi-op and talent agency business models. His dynamic performances range from national TV to the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, and his recent openings for the Zac Brown Band and Pat Benatar highlight his diverse skill set. Holding a Master Talent contract with The Walt Disney Company, Nick has an impressive client roster including Fortune 50 companies and is poised to perform at the 100th Anniversary of Walt Disney on New Year’s Eve at Walt Disney World. Known for creating unforgettable experiences, Nick’s unique blend of energy and expertise makes him a top choice for memorable events.

Thomas Heath
Day 3
3:00p – 4:00p
Troy Adams: Take Control Of Your Time
These days, we’re all busy. But is your busy by design? Overburdened schedules, others’ agendas, and poor planning all result in less success and more burnout. Most people let their schedule run them, instead of taking charge of their time. Or maybe they have a plan, but constantly let others distract them. It all results in working too much, for too little. We’re going to change that with this talk. In this powerful presentation given at conferences nationwide, Troy will share steps to take control of your time and deter distractions.
Troy's Biography
A sought-after speaker, coach & DJ, Troy Adams was named one of the 500 Most Influential Event Pros by BizBash. He’s also an elite WeddingPro educator and owns Carolina DJ Professionals, a Top-10 US DJ company. Founder of the “Make Your Business Dance” coaching platform, Troy draws from 30 years’ experience to travel the country and help fellow pros design a better business.
Joshua Carl
Day 3
4:00p-5:00p
Joshua Carl: The VIdeo DJ - More Than Just Playing Videos

Let’s take some time to explore Video DJing.

Joshua's Biography

Joshua Carl (Strictly Hits / Crooklyn Clan / Xtendamix) offers a glimpse into the day-one side of video dj’ing for the uninitiated; and swiftly brings us up to date with how to turn your video sets into a visual swiss army knife of events solutions using a bit of hardware, software and ingenuity to be able to exceed expectations in both the club, corporate and mobile environments. While most of the panel will be focused on Serato & Mix Emergency, it will not exclude other Video-ready DVS as well as traditional “VJ” solutions

Meet the founders Lou, Tyler, and Chris on stage
Day 3
5:00p – 5:15p
Closing Remarks
Join Tyler, Chris, and Lou as we wrap up our 2023 Expo.