by Betsy Fischer, M.Ed.
While some have attempted to form female DJ networking groups in the past, it appears as though a new group has finally come along that may actually stand the test of time. Thanks to the power that is Facebook, “FEM – Female Entertainers Meetup” is now online and growing in numbers every day.
The First Meeting
It all started at the 2011 Mobile Beat Las Vegas Show. Jean Steinmetz of C&C Entertainment in Cincinnati, Ohio, successfully gathered together a group together for an early morning breakfast meeting. According to Jean:
About 20 women were in attendance, and it was a chance for us to meet, network, and share ideas about our industry. It should be noted that this was the first-ever women’s gathering that was actually officially sanctioned by a trade show. Mobile Beat included the meeting on their official program schedule, and I know we all thank Ryan Burger for that.”
Continuing the “Conversation”
During the meeting, Anna Huynh of Dancenhance Entertainment in Fayetteville, Arkansas, volunteered to create a Facebook Group. She sees the group as a great support network.
Female DJs are truly unique. My goal for the Facebook group is to have a venue for women to get to know each other and share ideas. There are ladies of all different ages and stages in their careers in this group. New DJs will have the opportunity to find role models in the FEM. Here, they will share information which is more relevant to women than the info they would find through other industry groups.”
The Female Entertainers Meetup on Facebook garnered nearly 50 members in its first two weeks of existence and is now in full-swing. Huynh is one of its most active participants.
Defining the Group
Pro Mobile DJ Publisher and Chief Scribe, Stacy Zemon, attended the breakfast meeting and is an enthusiastic supporter of FEM, for whom she wrote the description:
This is an international networking group for women performers of all kinds. Informal ‘Meetings’ take place via our Facebook group. Members are invited to share ideas, information, challenges and opinions on various subjects with each other. Group members include industry leaders, experts, newcomers, and everyone in between. Live meetings are also held annually at the Mobile Beat Show, International DJ Expo, and other venues to be announced.”
FEM Topics
Topics on FEM have included light-weight equipment, what women wear to their gigs, favorite DJ software, leadership, the assets of being a female entertainer, etc. Frequently someone asks a question, looking for group members to provide an answer.
The Next Live Meeting
Industry Leaders Liz Daley and Stacy Zemon are planning to organize a Female Entertainers Meetup at the DJ Times Expo in in Atlantic City, NJ this Aug., 2011. This meeting will most certainly be an exciting gathering of strong, forward-thinking, entrepreneurial women. If you’re in AC this summer, (and you pee sitting down) you won’t want to miss attending this group!
To join FEM — Female Entertainers Meetup, click here.
Betsy Fischer, M.Ed. – Girls with Gigs
Betsy Fischer, M.Ed. is a DJ, Event Planner, Dance and Zumba Instructor, Choreographer and Entrepreneur. She is the 2010 winner of the “Best New Dance” and runner up “Entertainer of the Year” at the “DJ of the Year” competition held at the International DJ Expo. She is also the proud owner/operator of Betsy Fischer’s Groove Lounge, a dance and party venue located in southern NJ. Her mobile DJ business, Party Dancing with Betsy Fischer, LLC, entertains at a variety of events throughout NJ and PA. Betsy is a member of NJDJN and NAME. She is a graduate of Rutgers University and is a NJ State Certified Elementary Teacher and a Teacher of the Handicapped. Betsy received her Master’s Degree from Temple University, where her studies focused on including handicapped children in the performing arts. Betsy’s website is GrooveLounge.net and you can email her at [email protected].
