LOS ANGELES—While fans throng the halls at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo, intent on meeting their favorite stars inside the music-filled exhibit halls, trade attendees will be marching to their own drummer. Business-minded folk come to the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo (AEE) and the concurrent AVN Novelty Expo (ANE) to learn from their peers and keep up with the latest shifts in an always-changing industry. And one of the ways to learn at AEE and ANE is through AVN’s educational seminars.
For the 2017 show, AVN has a tight playlist of seminars planned that cater to the needs of retailers, manufacturers, content producers and performers. Experts from all corners of the industry will come together to share ideas and explore solutions to the challenges we all face.
The following seminars will be on AVN's hit parade during the AVN Show, which runs January 18-21, 2017, at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas. Seminars will run all day during the first three days of the show, and are open only to AEE and ANE attendees with trade badges.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18
That’s What Friends Are For (10 a.m.; ANE seminar)
When you care enough to give your customers the very best but don’t have the resources to make it on your own, then white-labeled products might be the answer. Learn about the basics and the benefits of teaming up with a manufacturer to solidify your brand with customers old and new.
Mo Money, Mo Problems (11 a.m.; ANE seminar)
Too often, adult-related businesses are turned down for everything from loans to basic checking accounts just because of the nature of the business. All it takes is the wrong word in a name, or a simple background check, and you or your business’ finances can be in disarray. Learn how to avoid the pitfalls when it comes to dealing with banks, venture capital groups and more.
Smokin’ In The Boys (and Girls) Room (noon; ANE seminar)
With recreational marijuana gaining in popularity, now is the time to start carrying items you never considered before. Find out what items to stock, as well as how to display them for maximum profits. And learn how to find out about the laws affecting smoking items in your jurisdiction.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot (2 p.m.; AEE seminar)
Now that California’s Proposition 60 has been defeated, what’s next from AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Cal/OSHA? We’ll explore what adult companies can do to protect themselves and avoid legal trouble, whether they’re shooting in the Golden State or in neighboring Nevada.
With a Little Help From My Friends (3 p.m.; AEE seminar)
The adult community, like the rest of the United States, has its fair share of people in crisis, struggling with everything from financial difficulties to substance abuse issues. But in an industry with few large corporations boasting well-staffed HR departments, it can be more difficult to find help. A group of industry veterans share ideas on how to assist colleagues in crisis.
Money (That’s What I Want) (4 p.m.; AEE seminar)
Adult companies have come up with some creative approaches to combatting piracy, among them Free Porn Day, the #PayForYourPorn social media campaign, and even crowdfunding efforts. We’ll look at how these initiatives played out, and talk about avenues that producers can explore in the future.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19
It’s Not Easy Being Green (10 a.m.; ANE seminar)
Returns from customers, defective products, testers … none of these items can be sold to consumers, but what are you supposed to do with them? And what about reducing waste in other ways? Learn some of the steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and make Mother Earth happy—and at the same time grow your bottom line by letting your customers know about your better business practices.
I’m Coming Out (11 a.m.; ANE seminar)
Marketing sex toys to the LGBT consumer poses an interesting set of challenges. Retailers need to gain understanding about everything from gender pronouns to sexual preferences, and all points in between. Panelists discuss how sales personnel can create inclusivity and an educated, safe space for LGBT consumers to shop comfortably, both online as well as in brick-and-mortar retail stores.
Will The Real Slim Shady Please Stand Up? (noon; ANE seminar)
Pirated sex toys not only hurt manufacturers and retailers; they also diminish consumer trust. What steps can be taken at all levels of the industry to combat bootleggers and their possibly dangerous products? Even if you have a patent for your original product, you can still face knock-offs and cheap imitations. Experts share stories and tips from all sides of the issue.
When the Whip Comes Down (2 p.m.; AEE seminar)
It’s been eight years since the Republicans have controlled the White House, and if the past is any predictor, adult content producers have reason to be wary of how a Republican-led Justice Department might affect their bottom line. Attorneys and business people who remember the bad old days of Meese and Ashcroft will provide historical perspective.
Meet the New Boss (3 p.m.; AEE seminar)
Adult stars and directors face the same challenges as other performers and artists. Many are independent contractors who don’t enjoy the benefits provided to traditional employees. One solution is to incorporate. This panel will look at the benefits and pitfalls of creating your own business—with yourself as the CEO—and explore the ways you can help that business grow.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T (4 p.m.; AEE seminar)
Does porn exploit women? Or is performing in porn the ultimate form of empowerment? It’s a question that women in the adult industry tend to hear, whether asked by feminists, porn bashers or even fans. Whether they’re performers or producers, women in adult find their own path to power in an industry where the end product traditionally has been geared toward men. We’ll hear from some industry powerhouses about how they go about creating entertainment that is arousing to all and degrading to none.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20
I Don’t Wanna Be Learned (10 a.m.; ANE seminar)
The industry is filled with products that claim to be organic, or made with certified organic ingredients. Are the claims accurate? And other labels list so many ingredients they’re best deciphered by a chemistry graduate student. Panelists will explain how to tell what’s really inside these products, what is best to stock on your shelves, and ways to educate your staff and customers about the products and their claims.
Rock Down To Electric Avenue (11 a.m.; ANE seminar)
Distributors, retailers and consumers are still a little gun shy when it comes to e-stim products. We explore the issues, the myths and the possibilities of these products that are starting to spark in the mainstream.
Oh Yes It’s Ladies Night (noon; ANE seminar)
It might be a “man’s world,” but women more often than not run the show. In this closed-door, round-table discussion, women from all areas of adult entertainment can share their concerns, issues, triumphs and more. No topic is off limits.
Born This Way (2 p.m.; AEE seminar)
Gender is no longer a binary concept—and in that spirit AVN presents a very non-binary panel led by queer adult performers. Speakers will share their outlook and experiences and talk about resources their communities need. Audience participation is encouraged in this discussion of sexuality, gender identity and porn.
People Are People (3 p.m.; AEE seminar)
Though interracial porn has been a top-selling genre in porn in recent years, many have asserted that there are fewer opportunities for performers of color. A multicultural mix of performers and producers talk about their experiences in the industry.
Fine State of Things (4 p.m.; AEE seminar)
Porn is known as a forward-looking industry—quick to adapt to new tech trends and often the driving force behind tech being adapted in the first place. But while porn is looking to the future, what does the future of porn itself look like? In this panel, porn's leading lights, from the sexy stars to the power players, will talk about what changes they see coming to porn in the coming years. What will porn in 2020 look like when it comes to tech, legislation, culture and more?
One of the largest adult trade shows in the world, the 2017 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo is presented by MyFreeCams. The AVN Show event schedule is as follows:
AEE—January 18-21, 2017
ANE—January 18-20, 2017
AVN Awards—January 21, 2017
For more information, go to AVNShow.com.
Trade Registration is available here. Members of the Adult Industry can go here to book hotel rooms.
To exhibit or sponsor the 2017 AVN Show, contact our sales team at [email protected] or (818) 718-5788.
For press and media regarding AEE, contact Brian Gross at (818) 340-4422 or [email protected].
