This article originally ran in the June 2015 issue of AVN magazine. Click here to see the magazine online.
It may be hard to believe that 2015 is already halfway over, but time does march on, and what that means is the wheels have well since begun turning on plans for AVN Show 2016, taking place next January 20-23 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
As part of the lead-up to the annual industry extravaganza, AVN recently shot six of adult’s most in-demand ladies for the show’s promotional campaign, decking them out in all black intimate wear of both the lacy and leathery variety.
Dani Daniels, who scored a whopping five wins at this year’s AVN Awards, was particularly excited about the theme of the campaign. “Last year you guys had the ’70s thing and that was really, really cool, but for me, I feel like this is very me,” she enthused. “I like the whole leather and lace, a little bit of BDSM, very glamorous, I feel like that’s what I would pick if I had a say. So I’m excited.”
2014 AVN Female Performer of the Year Bonnie Rotten said she eagerly looks forward to seeing the final results of the shoot, “because when you go to Vegas and it’s AVN, you pull up to the Hard Rock Hotel and there’s huge banners on the building, there’s banners on the taxis, there’s banners on the side of the road, it’s everywhere. So when you see this, you go, ‘Wow, I’d really like to be that girl,’ and to be that girl is really awesome. So I can’t wait to see it all up.”
Best known from the camming world (she’s a top draw and practically daily entertainer on MyFreeCams.com), Aspen Rae gushed, “Being chosen to be part of the AVN ad campaign is absolutely phenomenal. I was so excited when they told me, and I love it. I love the look, and I’m really happy to be a part of this.” Rae noted that she will be signing at the MyFreeCams booth during the AVN Show and also hosting interviews and video coverage for MyFreeCams TV throughout the week.
Scarlet Red, a 2015 AVN Best New Starlet nominee who’s featured prominently in the just-debuted cable broadcast of this year’s AVN Awards Show, seemed almost dumbfounded that she had been chosen for the campaign. “When AVN asked me to be a part of it, I was like, ‘What? You want my face everywhere?” she marveled. “I was so excited, and I just felt honored. Being a part of this campaign is wonderful.”
Also soon to be seen in promos everywhere for AVN Show ’16 are media and fan darling Tasha Reign and skyrocketing up-and-comer Mercedes Carrera.
Get a glimpse of what our propaganda department cooked up with the campaign’s kick-off ad in this issue, and also in the behind-the-scenes photographs seen in this photo gallery by photographer Chris King.
Images from the shoot are featured prominently on the website for the 2016 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo. Tickets can be purchased and rooms can be booked on the site, which can be found at AVNShow.com.
AEE will take place January 20-23 and will be returning to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas for its fifth year at the venue. As with last year, the show encompasses three events:
AVN Novelty Expo, January 20-22
AVN Adult Entertainment Expo, January 20-23
AVN Awards Show, January 23
AEE for Trade Attendees
Several improvements made to last year’s show for the benefit of trade attendees will be in effect for 2016. Once again, rooms in the Paradise Tower will be available only to trade attendees, ensuring that those who are at the show to do business will be afforded both the advantage of sharing public space with other business attendees as well as a quieter place to stay apart from those who are there to attend the fan expo.
The 2016 AEE will also see the return of the VIBE program. Membership has its privileges, and they are extended to major retailers, distributors, wholesalers and e-tailers who participate in a full schedule of meetings with exhibitors. These “Very Important Buyers” are enticed with free hotel rooms as well as hosted meals and cocktail parties, ensuring that AEE exhibitors get a chance to pitch their wares to the industry’s top buyers. To find out more, email [email protected].
Those who exhibit at AEE have myriad choices on how to position their booths. Exhibitors with a focus on pleasure products can set up shop at the AVN Novelty Expo, with access strictly limited to trade attendees. Those who are seeking to sell to fans or increase brand awareness can exhibit in one of the AEE exhibit halls or in The Lair (more on that below).
As with last year, the dates of AEE will coincide with other major events in Las Vegas, including the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show and the Shot Show. Last year saw an uptick in attendees from other shows coming to AEE to take advantage of the new show schedule that kept the floor open later in the evening.
Trade attendees will be invited to attend a kickoff cocktail party on Tuesday, January 19. After that the show will pick up steam, rolling nonstop until late into the evening on January 23, when the AVN Awards Show will top things off with a gala red carpet and entertaining variety show complete with comedy and musical acts.
AEE for Fans
Last year’s AEE had numerous additional bells and whistles affixed to the traditional fan expo. Chief among these were the educational discussions in the “Sex Is…” program. Wicked contract star Jessica drake was the face of the “Sex Is…” seminars, which offered insight into the adult industry and explored sexual lifestyles.
Speaking of lifestyles, those in the BDSM lifestyle were able to live it up in The Lair last year, and 2016 will be no exception. Mistress Cyan of Sanctuary, sponsor of DomCon, will be returning to AEE to exert control over The Lair. A dungeon situated inside the larger show, The Lair offers a safe playground for both newbies and experienced players, with more bondage gear than you can shake a flogger at.
Another part of the show that is popular with fans are the AEE parties. Fans who purchased party passes last year got entrée to some of the hottest clubs in Vegas, including 1 Oak, Chateau, Tao and Life. And in addition to soirées at Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club and other Vegas night spots, there were private suite parties where the action got considerably hotter than it could on even a Vegas dance floor.
For information on AEE and other AVN events, go to AVNShow.com.
