We strongly recommend that you ask the following questions?

1. What kind of training / certification programs have your DJ's been through?
   A professional company of any kind needs a program to set a base line of training and to develop specialized skills for particular areas of their business.  If a company does not have these things than they have no plan, and are literally using your event as on the job training to improve their skills.
   Our owner, Eric is one of 4 current instructors for the FAME DJ School, the only DJ School accredited by a National DJ Organization (NAME).  We currently over 30 training classes for our DJ's annually.  Continued education is important to any professional.... Don't you want someone who knows what you are doing and not based on their own ego or opinions?
    
2. Can you provide me with proof of liability insurance for your business?
   Responsible business owners carry liability insurance both to protect themselves and their clients and fellow vendors.  Many facilities require such insurance.  Ask your DJ or entertainment company for their insurance certificate to verify they have coverage.
   We carry insurance through Commercial Brokerage Coverage. We will provide a copy of our insurance policy to anyone booking an event with us.
    
3. Are they a member in good standing of the Better Business Bureau?  Ever had a complaint?
   Check your local Better Business Bureau for complaints and to see how they have been handled.  Is he company you are considering a member of the Bureau?   Companies that are members have agreed to having a 3rd party professional mediator become involved to settle your dispute! 
   Starz Entertainment has done over 7000 events in the Phoenix Metro area and has NEVER had a complaint at the Better Business Bureau. 
   
    
4. Do you take requests and will you discuss and help us plan out our special songs ahead of time?
   Any entertainer who is a professional understands your needs to have the music you desire at your event.  They also realize there will be a great cross section of people in attendance and that they will have requests as well.  A professional DJ will sit with you ahead of time and discuss your preferences, give you feedback, and help you in planning to make your event special but also in making it your own and not just like every one else's events.
   We provide each client with numerous lists and access to their own personalized planner where they can listen to music clips and choose all of their requests and prioritize them.
    

5. Do you do this full time or is it a side job or a hobby?? Someone who is full time will take your event more seriously and be more committed to making sure it goes well or their livelihood will be hurt! 
   Who has more to lose; the guy who does this for fun and could decide at any time his weekend off is more important than your wedding or the person who makes his living doing this, dedicates every day to making himself a better DJ and risks his professional reputation if your event is not as you would wish!
    

6. Can you meet your actual DJ first... He's going to run the most important day of your life... you might want to meet him in person?
   We always allow you to meet your DJ and lock them in as best we can... Of course in event of illness or act of god we have to reserve the right to substitution.   For a typical wedding you might meet with your DJ 2 or 3 times prior to your event date!
   
    
7. Are you using professional grade music, sound, and lighting equipment?
   A professional should not be using cheap or home grades of music and lighting equipment.  Professional gear is made to be more durable and more efficient. 
   The main brands of gear we use our JBL, Peavey, Mackie, Crown, BOSE, Shure, Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, Nady.  All of our equipment is professional grade gear designed for heavy usage.  Please ask us if you have particular questions.
   
    
8. Do you carry backup gear at events?
   Backup gear is very important to ensure you do not have a major problem.  A DJ with no backup for an amplifier or no redundancy in speakers is asking for trouble.  Not every piece of gear must have  a backup, but common sense dictates a backup for microphone, amplifier, speaker, and either PC or CD player, depending on which you use. 
   Most of our DJ's carry an extra amplifier and extra speaker to events.  We are computerized and most of our DJ's carry an extra PC as well.  We have a roadie on call on Saturdays to bring emergency gear to any of our DJ's. 
   
   Starz Entertainment did 4 emergency weddings on calls day of wedding last year.  We also did 3 more weddings that were booked within 14 days of the wedding date.  We keep extra personnel on call on all but the busiest weekends when we actually run out of personnel.  We carry more DJ gear than we have people to use, so extra gear is not a problem.
   
    
9. Does the entertainer at my event know the proper protocol for my event?
   Every event is different.  A professional DJ company should have a training program for newer employees so that all get trained in different types of events, by someone with a great deal of experience. 
   All of our DJ's must complete a 6 session classroom training before they even go out as a DJ helper... All of our actual DJ's have done at least 20 events as a helper... and been approved by 2 different supervisors before your event.  WE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!  We have specialized training programs for wedding, bar and bat mitzvahs, quinceneras, anniversaries, school events and church events.
   
    
10. Am I charged for set up time and will you arrive early enough to be done set up prior to guest arrival?
    With a management staff of ex-military personnel, we take being punctual to an entirely different level. 
    Our smallest events require us to arrive 60 minutes in advance.  We typically arrive 90 minutes to 120 minutes prior to start.  Our DJ's are required to complete sound checks 30 minutes prior to your 1st guest arriving... So if they arrive a little early... don't worry, we'll be ready!
    
     
11. Do we sign a contract for our event?
    Unfortunately in today's world a written contract is an absolute necessity!  Insurance requires written contracts and contracts make sure all issues are addressed before any questions can arise.  ALWAYS GET A WRITTEN CONTRACT!
    If you are expecting a specific entertainer, make sure you get it in writing as well. From the time pricing is put in our system you can print out and review a contract from your planner at any time.  Most of our contract is to tell you what to expect from us and what we expect from you.. We are always open to questions and to pinpoint what you need!  We always allow you to meet your DJ and lock them in as best we can... Of course in event of illness or act of god we have to reserve the right to substitution.
    
     
12. How will the DJ- MC be dressed for my event?
    Once again tastes vary greatly as so accepted dress at events. We find that typical dress at a wedding varies greatly from East to West coasts of the United States.  We recommend discussing attire with your DJ at your final planning meeting to make sure they are going to be wearing what you expect.
    We dress as you request us to dress.  From a full tux to casual beach attire.  you tell us what you want and we'll wear it.... within reason.... no one needs to see Eric in a Speedo!
    
     
13. Are you a member of a trade group or professional organization?
    Professional trade groups and organizations are great tools for knowledge, for networking and for building a proper ideology in a company.  Belonging to a trade organization is not a guarantee of quality, but it is a strong indicator of a company that is interested in doing business the right way and improving over time. 
    Starz Entertainment is a long standing member of the National Association of Mobile Entertainers and our owner, Eric Godfrey has served on their National Advisory Board as well as teaching at their national education seminars. He has also been a member of the American DJ Association and served on the Executive Board of the Phoenix metro area chapter for many years.  Eric is one of 4 current instructors for the FAME DJ School, the only DJ School accredited by a National DJ Organization (NAME). Several of our other DJ's also belong to national DJ organizations.