LOS ANGELES - For the first time, the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection will participate in the Adult Online Europe Expo. ASACP Executive Director Joan Irvine will attend AOE, co-chair a panel titled "Law & Order in the U.S.," and network from an ASACP stand on the show floor.
During AOE Budapest in November, Network for Online Commerce President Hugh Chambers briefed European participants about ASACP's history and activities. NOC and World Telemedia co-organize AOE, and Chambers expressed delight at welcoming Irvine for the first time.
"We're impressed and pleased by ASACP's enormous growth," he said. "Their participation at AOE is timely and relevant. U.S. laws have a significant impact outside the United States, as we'e clearly seen happen with the online gambling industry. Internet and mobile companies would do well to listen carefully to what our American friends have to say."
AOE Director of Sales and Marketing Jarvis Todd noted many online and mobile professionals aspire to operate and partner across the Atlantic these days, and that presents challenges.
"We're committed to supporting an industry that operates within the law, takes a long-term view, and recognizes that protecting minors should top the agenda," he said. "As technology evolves and delivery mechanisms converge, the potential access to a wider audience is clearly a great opportunity for AOE participants—but ensuring their content does not end up in the wrong hands is an ongoing challenge that we need to address in collaboration with organizations like ASACP and NOC."
Irvine's AOE appearance will follow a recent trip to Australia as a guest of the EROS Association. During that visit, she met with Australian politicians and government staff, promoted the Restricted to Adults website label, and delivered a keynote address at AdultEx, Australia's major annual adult-trade gathering. According to Irvine, all of her travels are part of ASACP's drive to expand its international outreach.
"It's impossible to tackle the problems of online child pornography and child protection without an international approach," she said. "And since ASACP already receives strong support from our European sponsors like LiveSex.com, InterClimax, EuroRevenue, and Private Media Group, AOE seems like the natural place for us to be now."
AOE is a trade event for the online adult industry in Europe. AOE Amsterdam will take place April 27-30, running in conjunction with World Telemedia 2007.
