Many businesses have casino gaming tables at their corporate holiday parties. Employees love it, but it’s tough competition for the DJ… people think they can dance anytime, but not gamble.
 
Normally, the tables are open until near the end of the party and then there is a mad rush to the dance floor in the final hour until the prizes are awarded. For the fifth year in a row, I had the chance to perform for this company and they do it right with the games open through dinner until about 8:30, then a showcase of great prize giveaways, before I open the dance floor and we party the night away.
 
With 450 guests attending, the Grand Ballroom at the Jantzen Beach Red Lion Hotel on the River, was the perfect place for this big event and it didn’t disappoint. The were a lot of great gifts, including tools, iPods, gift cards and cash, and a giant big screen TV. There were so many giveaways, it took over 90 minutes to draw the winners. This cut a little into our dancing time, but we made the most of it and the guests got their groove on right away and moved to a variety of hits, from Billy Idol ‘Mony Mony’ to Far East Movement ‘Like A G6’, ‘Shout’ from Otis Day & the Knights to Usher’s ‘DJ Got Us Falling In Love’, they loved it all.
 
Good to see you again Sue and thank you for continuing to use PRO DJs for this annual event. Happy Holidays. -Rich
 

 
It is always a thrill for me to perform for the same group of people every year. Not only because they appreciate my work, but I get to see some familiar faces who like to have a good time on the dance floor. Saturday night was my third straight year with this group. After the Pearson Air Museum in 2008 and the Embassy Suites Portland Airport last year, they decided to have their corporate holiday party at the Vancouver Hilton.
 
I’m sure the employees really look forward to this event because of all the great prizes they can win, including trips, multiple iPods and Blazer tickets and a flat screen TV. All of these great gifts are given right before I open the dance floor, so the guests are normally in a good mood for a party. We got off to a good start with a classic slow dance, which this group really appreciates, but there was also a lot of energy in between and everyone danced to a wide variety of music… from Aretha Franklin and Van Morrison to Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga.
 
Thank you Diana for having me back again. Happy Holidays.
 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

Event Date: Saturday, December 11, 2010

Event Type: Holiday Party

Event Location: Vancouver Hilton

Event Staff: Rich Ellis

Quality of Customer Service via Telephone: Excellent

Quality of Customer Service via Internet: Excellent

Quality of Customer Service at Event: Excellent

Friendliness of your Entertainer: Excellent

Promptness of your Entertainer: Excellent

Professionalism of your Entertainer: Excellent

Entertainer’s Performance: Excellent

Entertainer’s Appearance: Excellent

System Appearance: Excellent

Sound Quality: Excellent

Overall Volume Levels: Excellent

Music Selection: Excellent

Incorporation of Your Requests: Excellent

Lighting Effects: Excellent

Equipment Appearance: Excellent

Overall Customer Service: Excellent

Planning Assistance: Excellent

Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Excellent

Overall Performance Rating: Excellent

Would you recommend this service to others? Yes
 

 
Well, good thing December company holiday parties are held indoors. The rain was relentless this weekend and while moving my sound equipment around, I got soaked like everyone else. It was warm and dry though inside for the Activities Club Christmas Party in Northwest Portland.
 
It was all about the kids as they visited with Santa, created arts and crafts and had their faces painted. There was music as well and after playing the Beach Boys ‘Little Saint Nick’, I got them started with a Christmas limbo. The guests danced to a wide variety of hits, but mostly 50’s and 60’s oldies. This event was officially a soc-hop and we had a crazy sock contest.
 
Thank you Candida for the opportunity. Merry Christmas.

 
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:

I really enjoyed working with Rich and look forward to booking him next year. -Candida Chartier

Event Date: Saturday, December 11, 2010

Event Type: Company Party

Event Staff: Rich Ellis

Quality of Customer Service via Telephone: Excellent

Quality of Customer Service via Internet: Excellent

Quality of Customer Service at Event: Excellent

Friendliness of your Entertainer: Excellent

Promptness of your Entertainer: Excellent

Professionalism of your Entertainer: Excellent

Entertainer’s Performance: Excellent

Entertainer’s Appearance: Excellent

System Appearance: Excellent

Sound Quality: Excellent

Overall Volume Levels: Excellent

Music Selection: Excellent

Incorporation of Your Requests: Excellent

Lighting Effects: Excellent

Equipment Appearance: Excellent

Overall Customer Service: Excellent

Planning Assistance: Excellent

Entertainer’s Cooperation with Other Vendors: Excellent

Overall Performance Rating: Excellent

Would you recommend this service to others? Yes
 

 
A great start to December with several corporate holiday parties this weekend. Friday night I was at the Hilton Vancouver, and after cocktails and dinner set to a variety of music, including holiday favorites, the guests were treated to a hilarious performance by local comedian Dave Anderson (1190 KEX, AM Northwest). I loved following Dave… I am not that funny, but he put everyone in a great mood. Unfortunately, the dance floor had to compete with the ballroom across the hall filled with gaming tables. It looked like Vegas in there and there were some really nice prizes at stake, so most guests wanted to, understandably, participate. There were a few dancers early, but as expected, we started drawing a crowd late and then packed the floor with a solid run of current music hits. A fun group who made out with some nice prizes to finish the night. Thank you Doreen… it was a pleasure playing your event. Good to see you Dave… it has been awhile. We actually worked another company party together at the old Atwater’s Restaurant back in the 90’s… a lot of time has passed.
 
It was an intimate gathering on Saturday night at the Governor Hotel as guests arrived for cocktails and conversation to a soundtrack of various hits from Coldplay, Al Green, The Beatles and others. This group really looks forward to this party every year and PRO DJs has been fortunate to have the opportunity to perform for them for several years in a row. Following dinner, they lit up the dance floor… Motown and current hits were especially popular. Thank you everyone… looking forward to next year. Happy Holidays.
 

 
Selecting a DJ for your company’s events is an important decision that can either make your event a success or turn it into a disaster. The sad fact is that there are people who will buy some equipment and claim they are a DJ. This is like someone buying a stethoscope and saying you’re a doctor!
 
Many people ask “How do I choose a DJ? Aren’t they all the same?” DJs are perceived as a dime-a-dozen commodity by many event planners, and because of this, they try to find the lowest priced service.
 
Each performer is unique and, like in any other profession, there are DJs who are great, some who are good, some mediocre, and some who should never be allowed to perform!
 
Here are three steps you should take before you hire a DJ:
 
Step #1: Does the DJ service you are considering, guarantee their work? If a DJ is confident in his abilities, there shouldn’t be any problem backing up those abilities with a Satisfaction Guarantee. When a DJ service offers a guarantee, you can be extremely confident that you are getting a true professional who will work hard to make sure you are overjoyed with the service.
 
Step #2: Make sure the DJ service can provide you a list of testimonials from past clients. This is vitally important. You want to see what other people have to say about that company. When you see the great comments about a DJ service from other people, you can feel confident that they will do a great job for your event as well. Do not hire a DJ who refuses to give you testimonial proof.
 
Step #3: Select the DJ service that is right for you, not someone who just has the right price. A big mistake many people make when hiring a DJ is basing their decision totally on price. Of course, price is a factor when hiring an entertainer. However, many event planners place too much emphasis on price and not enough emphasis on the overall impact the DJ will have on their event. Base your decision on the DJ service that will best fulfill your needs and help you to achieve your desired outcomes.
 
One way you can know whether a DJ service is going to meet your needs is if they ask you what your needs are and what outcomes you want to achieve with your event. When you call them, do they just tell you how great they are without finding out what you want and need?
 
How would you feel if you went to a doctor because you weren’t feeling well and the doctor instantly prescribed some medicine without first finding out what was wrong with you? It’s the same with DJs. They should find out what you want and need first and see if they have a program that can fulfill those needs.
 
By following these three steps you will select a DJ who is perfect for your event.