2018 Presenters

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Mike Walter MDJL10Mike Walter
​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 25 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. His seminars are known for their
fast pace, mix of information and entertainment and deft use of power point. Having sat through
enough tedious seminars in his life, Mike vows to never bore an audience. Whether he is
offering life changing advice, motivational challenges or hard-core information on how to grow
and expand your business, Mike promises he will deliver a quick, concise, and nugget-filled
presentation every time he speaks.


PictureDave Ternier
​Based in Manitoba, Canada, Dave Ternier is a single operator DJ/MC for his company, Special Request Weddings. Dave is a DJ, MC and one of only 2 recipients in Canada of the international Wedding Entertainment Director® certification. 
Using carefully trained Master of Ceremonies, Disc Jockey, and Entertainment Direction skill-sets, Dave Ternier provides creation, creativity, and production services uniquely designed for very personalized and highly entertaining weddings. By providing both Master of Ceremonies (MC) and Disc Jockey (DJ) services, Dave helps to create wedding receptions that not only flow easier, but they are also complete with special moments & fun memories that help guests remember the day long after the last dance has been danced.


PictureGeoffrey Sandler
Geoffrey Sandler owner of Celebrations Entertainment has been working in the event industry for thirty-five years. While growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, Geoffrey’s family kept him very involved in the arts and this gave him the basis for his love of performing. Geoffrey’s passion is guiding an event through all it’s phases. Whether it’s a wedding, a bar mitzvah, a casino night, or a fundraiser, Geoffrey works with each client to insure a unique event and is an expert in event planning and execution. While serving in the military, Geoffrey lived in a number of places across America. In addition to teaching him to feel comfortable with all kinds of people, it taught him to recognize the differences and the similarities in cultures and gave him first hand experience in the many different traditions and musical styles across our country. Those experiences, along with his theater and dance training, taught him how to connect with all kinds of people and how to feel the energy in a room so as to capably direct the flow of that energy at every event. His fun, energetic style, his warmth, and his attention to detail have led Geoffrey to be the exclusive event director and event emcee at high-end events as well as the event auctioneer at major fundraising events in and around Madison, Wisconsin. Geoffrey has been married to his best friend and wife, Karen for 28 years and has two amazing children; Ryan and Jenna. He spends about 40 hours per month volunteering on non-profit event committees to help them minimize costs and maximize earnings at events.


Jeremy BrechJeremy Brech
Jeremy Brech aka "DJ Jer" started DJ Jer Events and Lighting Design at the age of 15. He runs a very successful multi-op in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and provides high end, personalized entertainment and is recognized across the nation for creative lighting design. Jeremy's work has been published in Bridal Planner Magazine and is sought out by large organizations for his creative talent. He is a writer for the Disc Jockey News, provides free education on his YouTube channel "DJ Jer Shop Time", while traveling the country to inspire DJs and Lighting Designers.


Bill HermannBill Hermann
Bill Hermann is a nationally touring and highly sought after Wedding Entertainer and Master of Ceremonies.  Bill is the owner and sole performer at Bill Hermann Entertainment. www.billhermann.com and creator and co-founder of The Entertainment Experience, an international performance training company that trains and coaches performers and event producers in the art and skill of “Experience Design” and delivering an authentic performance.
Bill is also the host of the internationally acclaimed surprise hit of 2017 and 2018 The Creative License Podcast. A video podcast that is regularly seen on YouTube and Facebook by tens of people every Thursday.
Bill is a veteran of the entertainment industry who continues to train as a stage, film, commercial and a voice over actor. Bill has also had the good fortune to work on his craft as an improvisational comic, a singer, a character print model, a radio personality, a professional speaker a mobile DJ and now a teacher, coach and trainer.
Bill was the founding president of The Midwest Association of Professional Disc Jockeys and a over his many years as an industry leader he has been published in many industry publications and served on several leading industry association advisory boards. Bill has also been featured over the years on KARE 11 TV, KSTP TV, WCCO TV, WCCO Radio, KSTP Radio, KTMY - MY Talk 107.1, KOOL 108, KDWB, St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Women Inc. Magazine, Disc Jockey News, DJ Times, Mobile Beat Magazine, Inc. Magazine, ABC & CBS Network.
Over The Years Bill has been honored to have spoken all over the world. Most notably at Midwest DJs Live, Disc Jockey News Conferences, Mobile Beat Las Vegas, The DJAA Conference in Sydney, Australia and most recently he’s just returned from speaking in the UK at The Pro Mobile Conference.
Bill comes from a family of 6 and grew up in a small town in Michigan. He now is proud to live his life on a lake in the southern suburbs of the Twin Cities with his wonderful wife Maureen, his beautiful daughters Ella and Lettie and his cat Linus


Howard WallachHoward Wallach
Since 1987, “go to” guy Howard Wallach has been producing diverse high-octane special events across the Unites States. He began by wowing families as a bar mitzvah party Disc Jockey to now one of the most polished and professional traveling entertainers for corporate events and destination weddings. This “Top Dawg” has trained and coached his team to consistently deliver outstanding interactive experiences. It’s no small thing to stay relevant, fresh, and exciting - providing regular production and performance work for his staff week in and week out after so many years. Knowledge and expertise combined with his high-energy personality, and natural charisma, Howard enjoys giving back to the industry with his motivational and inspiring seminars, bringing together the next generation of event professionals.
​Follow his adventures on INSTAGRAM @azentertainment 



Jim CeroneJim Cerone
Jim Cerone entertains as a DJ and MC for events throughout Indiana and the Midwest United States. Known as The Perfect Host, Jim presents seminars around the country and abroad. After earning a Communication degree from DePauw University, Jim worked in radio broadcasting for 20 years as a Program Director, Music Director and On-Air Personality at WBWB, WENS and WZPL. As a freelance voice-over and on-camera talent, his clients include Coca-Cola, Ford, HP and Sony. If you’re tackling a home “how to” project, you can even find his videos for PPG Porter Paints on YouTube. Jim established his mobile DJ business in Indianapolis in 1991 and served on the national board of directors for the American Disc Jockey Association from 2003-2006. Along with Mark Ferrell and others, Jim Cerone produced the first podcasts for DJs on Disc Jockey America Radio. Active in the local event industry, Jim is a past President of the Indiana chapter of the International Special Event Society and just finished his term as Vice President for the Indiana chapter of Wish Upon a Wedding. He lives in the Indianapolis area with his wife and sons.
For more information or to book Jim Cerone for your event, please visit:
www.JimCerone.com, email jim@jimcerone.com, or call Jim directly 317-845-0749.
Thank you!


Jamie BodieJamie Bodie
Jamie Bodie’s DJ career began over 20 years ago in Aiken, SC primarily as entertainment in local night clubs & bars. From these initial forays as a DJ/Entertainer Jamie soon found himself being asked to perform at a few weddings from bar patrons/owners who knew him. Many of these first receptions were poorly executed but they taught Jamie that planning and working smarter could turn an ordinary reception into an extraordinary event and a nominal payday into something more lucrative and from here Jamie’s Porta-Party was created. Along the way Jamie sought out guidance from other DJs like Randy Bartlett, Peter Merry, Mike Walter, etc, who were all mentors in Jamie’s DJ career. In addition to seeking advice from other professionals in the industry Jamie sought out additional knowledge by attending numerous workshops & conferences over the years both within and outside of the wedding/DJ arena.
After several years of experience Jamie set his sights on bigger goals to work full time within the wedding/entertainment industry and to do this he needed to expanded his business model with other products to create additional streams of revenue and from here JLK Events was born. The key transformation for Jamie, his wife Liz, and JLK Events was their attendance of Financial Peace University in June 2008. This class was instrumental in driving home the importance of planning, money management and within 25 months Jamie and Liz were able to pay off over $100,000 in debt and to tell their story on the Dave Ramsey show of becoming DEBT FREE!! Soon after the completion of Financial Peace University, Jamie was tapped to lead the class for the church and subsequent classes thereafter. It was this opportunity to teach that revealed Jamie’s additional passion to help people. It was helping people though financial knowledge, in growing their business, and uncovering others potential in their lives that was big component in setting Jamie apart and ultimately awarded him the ArmDJs DJ of the year award in June 2013 with his helping of other entertainers across the US.
With continued knowledge seeking, Jamie soon began to study business development and leadership with books, seminars, and workshops. With the combination of financial planning, business development, and leadership Jamie & Liz have paid off a large amount of debt, put away over six months of emergency saving for both their personal budgets and their business all while maintaining and growing their reputation as the area’s best wedding DJs and lighting experts.
Both Jamie & Liz are graduates of the University of South Carolina, proud parents of three wonderful kids (Skylar, Rylee, Jay), and now live in Bluffton, SC, nestled between Hilton Head, SC & Savannah, GA. They enjoy their family/friends, their faith, and the commitment to excellence they’re able to share with their team of DJs and lighting engineers.


Brian BuonassissiBrian Buonassissi
DJ Brian B (Brian Buonassissi) is an industry veteran of 20+ years. His DJ roots were born as a nightclub open-format DJ. Eventually, “private events” is where he found his niche and a passion for them was born. From corporate parties, to fashion shows, to weddings, Brian has taken his mixing skill-set and delivers party experiences unlike any other. “There’s something about private events that make it more personal for me,” he says. “Usually they are a once-in-a-lifetime party (wedding reception) and I get an opportunity to be a part of something they will remember forever. That gives what I do purpose and goes beyond just mixing music.” He caught the eye of Hollywood and soon DJ Brian B started mixing celebrity private bashes. The list of high-profile clients include Elton John, P Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tony Hawk, Jim Carrey, the ESPN X Games, and the Dr. Phil Show to name a few.
He has grown his mobile entertainment business (B-Boy Productions) to 3 regional locations (New York City, Florida and Southern California) along with running 4 additional companies (Photo Booth, Event Rentals, Media and Sales/Marketing firm) all while he continues to grow his DJ career with a focus on the luxury destination event market. He spent a few years working for Pioneer DJ as the marketing manager (which including the execution of launching the groundbreaking CDJ-1000). Over the last year and a half, Brian has begun giving back to the industry with talks at various tradeshow and industry functions as well as writing for publications such as Disc Jockey News and Promo Only, Inc. Brian’s vast experience gives him a perspective that is unlike any other. His presentations are a can’t miss.


Rob PetersRob Peters
With over 30 years experience in the Mobile DJ industry, Rob Peters is the owner of Rob Peters Entertainment, Inc. located in Braintree, Massachusetts, specializing in Weddings, Corporate Events, and Kid’s Entertainment.  Rob is an Endorsed Professional Entertainer through the National Association Of Mobile Entertainers, author of “The Business Of Mobile DJing” from ProDJ Publishing, a member of N.A.M.E., and the owner of Bubble Parties.com.  Rob Peters Entertainment has been recognized as an “All Star” Marketer by Constant Contact, the internet’s leading email marketing service.
Rob performs for approximately 200 events annually throughout Boston, Providence and Hartford, and any place in between. From weddings to corporate events, teambuilding and Game Show Mania, Rob brings a personal, customized approach to each event, from planning to execution…and beyond!
Rob is also known as “The Bubble Music Man” throughout the greater Boston area and performed over 150 children’s events in 2009.  In 2010, The Bubble Music Man was a finalist for a Parent’s Pick Award from Nickelodeon for Best Kid’s Party Entertainer in Boston.   Most recently, Rob Peters was voted “Best Children’s Entertainer” in greater Boston by Macaroni Kid.


Maria MatarelliMaria Matarelli
Maria Matarelli is an international business consultant by day and DJ by night that travels the world training businesses of all sizes from Fortune 100 companies to entrepreneurs on the most effective Agile approaches to do twice the work in half the time. Maria has trained teams at IBM, Microsoft, Disney, and McDonalds as well as start up companies from Shanghai to Tampa through her company, Formula Ink. Maria also co-founded the Agile Marketing Academy leading training classes around the world with an internationally recognized marketing certification. Maria has walked through both worlds on many occasions­ – from starting a day leading corporate training classes in Bangkok, Thailand and ending the day DJing on the famous Khaosan Road the same night – to speaking at global conferences in Singapore, Portugal, New Zealand, and the Caribbean to DJing the conference parties. From DJing on private islands in Vanuatu and Fiji to yacht parties at the Playpen on Lake Michigan in Chicago, Maria has discovered how to incorporate her passion for DJing into a lifestyle of adventure and enjoys helping other people discover how to apply the same techniques to build a life they love.

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  • Ticket & Hotel Info
  • 2021 Education
    • 2021 Keynote Speakers
    • 2021 Presenters
  • 2021 Sponsorship Opportunities
  • About & Contact
    • Contact
    • Meet the Board Members
    • Past Presenters >
      • 2019 Presenters
      • 2018 Presenters
      • 2017 Presenters
      • 2016 Presenters
      • Reactions
    • Presenter Submission
  • Video Downloads