Familiar voice hosts convention: ‘Let’s get ready to RUM-BLE!’ — PHOTOS

One of the best-known voices in sports announcing stepped to the podium in Las Vegas this week and told a group of professionals they were one idea away from achieving success.

When he finished, he concluded his talk by saying, "Let's get ready to RUM-BLE!"

The man was Michael Buffer, known for his charismatic announcing style and trademark phrase that introduces professional boxing matches.

Buffer, the Monday keynote speaker at the Las Vegas DJ Show, told the audience of about 500 people that self-critiquing is key for success in an increasingly competitive DJ industry.

"I can always go home, look at the tape and say 'I should have done this,' or 'my timing wasn't right,' " Buffer said. "I can always find something."

Disc jockeys from nightclubs, radio booths and everywhere in between took a spin in Las Vegas this week, looking for technology, ideas and camaraderie at the annual show.

With the theme of "Boost your spirits, boost your business," the conference sought the 70-year-old Buffer to deliver its keynote speech.

"We wanted to see DJs have more education and give them the resources to build successful businesses," said the president of event sponsor American Disk Jockey Association, who goes by the nickname Dr. Drax. "There's no better place for DJs than Las Vegas."

"The guy built a fortune on saying five words," Drax said. "Who better to inspire our entrepreneur DJs?"

Founded in 2011, the annual Las Vegas DJ Show returned for its fifth year in the valley with about 75 exhibitors and nearly 800 participants. The four-day industry education conference and trade show, which started Sunday at Planet Hollywood and targets disc jockeys at radio stations and nightclubs as well as "mobile" DJs who spin events such as wedding ceremonies and corporate parties.

And with an ever-growing number of professional and amateur DJs across the United States, Buffer's message resonated with DJs at the convention.

Mitch Ross, 52, a Salt Lake City-based radio host, was one of many to give the boxing announcer a standing ovation. Ross, attending the conference for his fifth time, said listening to a long-standing model of success was encouraging for professionals who disc jockey full time.

"It's really a shot in the arm," Ross said. "It helps with morale, more than anything." 

Other DJs praised Buffer's creativity in blazing his own path to success.

"It shows you can be successful by just being yourself," said Bill Dronner, a nightclub DJ from Sacramento, Calif. "Especially in DJing, because you need to be creative to get ahead."

Exhibitors on the conference's showroom floor included popular industry companies Pioneer DJ, Bose and Atomix DJ.

Though most exhibitors also attend other annual Las Vegas conventions such as the Consumer Electronic Show, EDMBiz and Mobile Beat, representatives said their presence at smaller events such as the annual DJ Show promotes brand loyalty among the company's most consistent customers.

"This is your bread and butter," said Pioneer DJ representative Jay Brannan, who displayed the company's newest sound system on Tuesday, the DJM-S9. "Anytime you back off your customers, you're making a mistake."

"People appreciate that commitment," said Jason Tucher, who represents Atomix DJ, a leading DJing software company. "A little smaller, a little quieter, but definitely more personal."

The convention concludes Wednesday afternoon with the exhibition floor closing at 2 p.m.

Contact Chris Kudialis at ckudialis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283. Find him on Twitter: @kudialisrj