On the second morning of the DJ Products Service Summit 2026, attendees walked into a challenge: equipment with problems the service team had created on purpose. Their task was to figure out what was wrong and make the repair.
For the trainers, it was a chance to see attendees put what they had learned to work. For the service providers, it was practice for the troubleshooting situations they face in the field.
That shared focus on practical learning shaped the two-day Service Summit, held September 16 and 17 at the DJ Products manufacturing facility in Little Falls, Minnesota. Feedback from attendees and trainers points to three things that made the experience valuable: time working on the equipment, guidance from the people who know it best, and stronger connections with the team behind the support.
Putting Troubleshooting Into Practice
Service technician Jeremy said troubleshooting tips were the area where attendees needed the most help, followed by parts replacement instructions. The hands-on portion gave them a chance to put that training to use.
Jason explained how the team intentionally introduced faults into the units on day two and left attendees to diagnose and fix them. In his view, it was the part of the Summit they enjoyed and learned from most.
Attendee Dan of Green Choice Solutions LLC saw the value in that approach. He noted that the technicians created problems similar to what service providers might face when they arrive at a job without knowing what went wrong.
Josh also welcomed the chance to get more involved. “It was a lot more hands-on this time, which is what I needed,” he said. He valued both the repair exercises and the small pointers from trainers about what to do before moving on to the next step.
Jason of Weco Lifts felt the same way. He named hands-on training as his most valuable takeaway, described the experience as educational, and said he was thankful to have attended.
Making Repairs Easier to Understand
The training also gave attendees a closer look at how the equipment is assembled and how to reach the parts they need to service.
Service technician Michael stressed the importance of showing customers easier ways to reach certain components. He also valued letting attendees work through real service issues with little or no help, followed by an explanation of the repair.
Joe pointed to the demonstration of changing standard handlebars to molded handlebars as a useful example. Seeing the process firsthand showed attendees what the change involved in ways that written instructions or pictures could not.
That kind of practical detail mattered to Tommy of Weco Lifts, who appreciated seeing how everything goes together and picking up useful tools and tips. For Cordell, a Weco operations manager attending for the first time, working with less familiar trailer units was especially helpful. It gave him time to learn the terminology and practice diagnosing equipment his team services less often.
Carlos of AutoTek also valued learning about both the equipment his team currently services and additional units they may encounter in the future.
These experiences support the goal Joe described for the training: giving service providers the knowledge and confidence to handle repairs in the field with greater independence.
Getting to Know the People Behind the Support
Technical instruction was only part of what attendees took home. Several also pointed to the value of meeting the people they contact when they need help.
For Dan, learning names and putting faces to emails was a highlight. Knowing the support team personally makes it easier to ask questions and feel comfortable reaching out when an issue comes up.
Tommy also appreciated meeting the people who help his team resolve equipment problems. Cordell described a friendly environment, while Adam said his team learned a lot and enjoyed the camaraderie with the staff and the activities.
Gary of Weco noted how customer-oriented DJ Products is. His feedback shows how much the service relationship matters alongside the equipment itself.
The setting added to the experience, too. Josh appreciated the clean, orderly facilities, and Carlos spoke highly of the people and the local accommodations. Both said they look forward to returning next year.
Using This Year’s Feedback to Shape the Next Service Summit
The feedback also offers useful direction for planning the next Service Summit.
Joe suggested gathering questions from service providers ahead of time so the training can focus on the repairs and issues they most want help with. He also recommended more hands-on demonstrations of common field problems.
Dan proposed practical reference materials that attendees could keep using after the event, such as a binder, a quick reference sheet with codes, or PDF copies they can access in the field. Resources like these could help carry the training into everyday service work.
Equipment selection is another area to consider. Jeremy suggested adjusting the number of larger units to match attendee interest. Cordell’s experience with trailer units adds another consideration: keeping opportunities open to learn about equipment that some service providers encounter less often.
Together, these suggestions point to a way to make future sessions more relevant while keeping the hands-on practice that attendees and trainers valued.
Carrying the Learning Into Next Year
The trainers wanted attendees to practice diagnosing faults, understand repairs, and feel better prepared to service the equipment. Attendees described the value of doing that work themselves and getting to know the people available to support them afterward.
As we look ahead to the next Service Summit, those perspectives give us a clear starting point: keep practical troubleshooting central, listen to the questions service providers bring from the field, and explore resources they can use long after the event.
Thank you to everyone who attended, shared feedback, and helped lead the training. Your experience and input will help shape what comes next.
Support does not end when the Summit does. DJ Products service technicians can also join a video call while your technician is on-site, view the unit and its symptoms in real time, and help guide the troubleshooting process. Have the model, serial number, fault codes, and a description of the issue ready before the call.
Have a repair question or an idea for the next Service Summit? Contact the DJ Products service team.
Want a head start on preventive maintenance? Read our Equipment Maintenance Checklist for Busy Season.