Things started as usual as the second day of the 2007 GAYVN Expo got underway Thursday at the Sands Expo Center. The first half of the day was devoted to trade hours, but the fans began to flood the floors in the early afternoon.
And with a larger model attendance, which is expected to increase over the weekend, the action was busier, louder and more chaotic than Day 1.
“Today is good. What’s funny is that the people that don’t want to come to the gay section stop at the imaginary line, and the people that want to come in here and talk business and see the boys are coming in and enjoying themselves,” notes Channel 1’s Chi Chi LaRue. “This is my twentieth year in the business, and I’ve been to this convention twenty times, and it’s pretty much the same thing that happens. It’s pretty crazy in here on Friday and Saturday, so I think it is going to get more crazy.”
Channel 1 partner Steven Walker also appreciated the new vibe from the crowd: “The fans are in so now it’s crowded, and the energy is really picking up. By Saturday I’m sure it will be a madhouse. But right now it’s the perfect amount of people and we’re actually doing business, so it’s great. I hope the business people still come and not just the fans.”
Channel 1 was aided again by the presence of Tommy Blade and Eddie Diaz, who continued to draw attention to the booth.
“For us, I think what’s positive is that so many more people know who we are and what we’re doing and know the Channel 1 name and the Rascal name and of course the All Worlds name,” LaRue continued. “So we’re getting more people coming over to us and wanting our product.”
It was the Titan booth that drew the most attention, with a large influx of models — including new arrivals Damien Crosse, Diesel Washington, Jay Armstrong, Zackary Pierce, and Alex Baresi joining the already warmed up Francois Sagat and Cole Ryan — drawing photo and autograph seekers from all over the floor.
“It’s interesting here because we get a lot of straight women coming up,” Baresi said with a laugh. “And that’s fun.”
Titan director Brian Mills arrived today for his fifth show. “I’m always amazed when I’m walking in here just how much money is spent to have a presence. The booths look great. For me, personally, I feel that our country right now is so fucking conservative, and has been for the last seven years, and that being in an event like this feels like one big F-you to conservative politics. I love it.”
Titan had the largest number of models, which Mills thinks is vital: “It’s really important to us to have a really big presence in anything that involves the business. We really pride ourselves on being one of the biggest companies in the business right now. And we know that it’s really not about us, it’s about them. The people don’t come here to see me. I know that.”
A large number of Expo models are represented by Howard Andrew of Fab Scout Entertainment.
“Whether it’s from an agent standpoint or whether it’s from a studio standpoint, the benefit of having models is clear," Andrew said. "You can look around the booths that have models and those that don’t. I can point out two or three booths where there’s nobody standing at except some guy like me standing alone, versus three or four hot bodies back there. It definitely does increase the crowd’s interest. The crowds love to see what their fantasy is in reality.”
Andrew, at his third GAYVN Expo, also noted his surprise at a slightly less-than-capacity floor.
“Overall, so far I think I am very disappointed with the size of the gay section. I think it’s actually embarrassing that there are certain studios, some of the larger studios, that aren’t here because they don’t feel that they need to be. It is what it is… it’s a show. Everybody should be here.”
Hot House continued to garner traffic with shirtless studs Francesco D’Macho and Vinnie D’Angelo drawing a large number of fans, while the StraightCollegeMen.com models — most in kilts and body paint — continued to have fun with fans, including female starlets.
Markie — a former Factory Video star who is currently headlining the new website MarkiesBigDickClub.com with president Gary McKay — found himself the object of one married man’s affection: He wanted to lick the star’s ass (visible through cut jeans). Markie happily obliged as the wife shot away. His new site will offer fresh content, many scenes including himself, and will include streaming video as well as jack-off downloads for iPods and similar electronics.
“We really saw an area of interest with the subject matter, and we really are focusing on hung guys,” McKay said. “We actually take out the ruler and measure. No one under eight inches, and a real eight inches, not the porn measurements you so often see.”
Over at the 1 Distribution booth, Vice President Sam Manning was in meetings frequently during the day.
“So far it’s been good, from folks wanting distribution for folks looking to buy our products,” he said. “I think actually the most important part of coming to these events is that you get to be face to face with people, whether with the producers you represent or the buyers. You usually only communicate with them via e-mail or you speak on the phone and that’s it, so this is wonderful. This is one of the few times a year we get to meet face to face, so it kind of solidifies your relationships.”
