Saturday was definitely the wildest day so far at the 2004 Adult Entertainment Expo, with vendors, distributors, stars and fans packing the convention center. While final numbers won’t be available until the show is over, AVN officials were certain that this year’s turnout has been the largest in the show’s history.
Superstars in adult and mainstream populated the center, including Mike Tyson, 50 Cent, Hulk Hogan and Luke Skywalker.
Larry Flynt commanded an enormous crowd at the Hustler booth, where he signed copies of the new issue of Hustler for fans flanked by a pair of sweet things, Alyssa Lovelace and Laurie Wallice, as well as some very attentive security guards. At the other end of the Hustler booth, AVN Best New Starlet nominee Lauren Phoenix entertained a respectable crowd with her beauty, grace and autographs.
Across the aisle at the Vivid booth, sexy and smiling Tera Patrick signed posters and posed for pictures with eager fans who lined up around the corner, packing the aisles, though few seemed to mind the inconvenience, especially since it allowed the a slow stroll past Tera, something enjoyed by many.
The lines at the Digital Playground booth for Jesse Jane and Devon seemed to form almost before the show started and have lasted throughout each day of the show.
At 12:50 at the Shane’s World booth, an anticipatory Calli Cox said, “It’s about to get nuts.” Rapper 50 Cent was scheduled to show up at 1 o’clock and rumors were rampant that he was bringing Eminem along. While Eminem wasn’t in the house, 50 Cent did arrive and immediately the crowd swelled to ridiculous proportions.
Calli noted that she’s seen tremendous growth in the five years she has attended AEE, the first two as a fan and the latter three as talent. The Shane’s World booth was set up largely to promote the company’s College Invasion line with appearances by Drunky the Bear and fans had the opportunity to spin the College Invasion wheel to win prizes. Calli said the response had been “huge.” Shane’s World had several starlets signing, including Serena South, Jamie Brookes, Kristy Lee and Calli.
After a traumatic scene at the JM Productions booth in 2003 when a fan slipped a finger into the ass of an unsuspecting Ashley Blue who ended up crying and cowering under a podium, owner Jeff Steward designed his 2004 booth differently so that fans wouldn’t have the opportunity to violate the stars. “It’s been very successful,” he told AVN. “I’ve never been so drunk. And there haven’t been any molestations thanks to our new design. This year JM had Ashley Blue, Katie Gold, Francesca Lé and Gen Padova meeting and greeting fans.
Digital Playground publicist Adella was ecstatic about this year’s turnout. “We did more business the first day of this year’s show than we’ve done in the entirety of any previous show,” she told AVN. “And look at the line out there for Jesse and Devon. It’s been non-stop.”
“I think the separate trade and fan hours have worked very well this year,” Digital Playground President Samantha Lewis added.
Director Robby D, who is nominated for 11 AVN Awards at tonight’s show said he was “overwhelmed by the response to Jack’s Playground. Even guys are asking for my autograph! It kind of creeps me out, but it’s really, really cool. I can’t believe it.”
Adam & Eve had their usual major presence with a booth that included startlets like Nicole Sheridan, Carmen Luvana, Nina Hartley, Alexandra Silk, Kitty and Catalina Cruz. Also, Wankus and others broadcasted live on KSEXradio.com while the starlets signed and mingled. In the early afternoon, Nick Manning dropped by to an amazing response from fans and Layla-Jade talked to fans. “It’s a lot nicer this year because the fans aren’t so grabby,” she said.
Wicked Pictures owner Steve Orenstein said he was “thrilled” with the show and that everything was going well. “It’s a bigger crowd this year, if that’s even possible,” he told AVN. “The aisles have been busy even before the fans come in.” This year Wicked featured a very impressive booth that included a kiosk that allowed attendees to download screensavers and wallpapers to their cell phones. And yesterday Wicked became the first adult company to unveil the first 24-hour streaming to cell phone via XTC Mobile. “It’s only been on day and we’ve already had thousands of hits,” a pleased Orenstein said. All seven contract stars – Sydnee Steele, Devinn Lane, Stormy, Kaylani Lei, Julia Ann, Jessica Drake, Stephanie Swift – were on hand to sign photos and posters as well as pose for pictures with fans.
“We’ve done a lot of business this year,” Orenstein said. “Usually there’s a lot of talk, but this year we’re closing deals.”
Boo, Alexis Malone, Sky Lopez, Tanya James, Tanya Danielle, Rachel Rotten and Sunset Thomas all signed at the VCA Pictures booth. VCA publicist Misha pointed out that the company had built a new booth this year and that it has worked out well. Since the company was bought by Hustler last year, the two companies had sister booths.
“The girls have been great and the fans have been wonderful. I have absolutely no complaints.”
Outside the hall there was a heavy stream of traffic headed for the convention and, at times, enormously long lines.
One fan, Tony, said the long lines would be much more intimidating if not for the steady stream of beautiful women going by. “I got seven autographs already and I haven’t even gone inside.” Like many fans, he traveled a great distance to attend the show, flying in from Arkansas Thursday morning. “This is something I’ve wanted to do for years and it’s been one of the greatest times of my life,” he said. “It’s crazy!”
One scantily-clad beauty that caught the attention of the madding crowd was Jaymee from Sheri’s Brothel. Asked how big of a suitcase she needed for the trip, she said, “I have a very small bag for the clothes and a big one for the dildos.” Granted, Sheri’s is located right outside Vegas, but one suspects that the result would have been the same no matter where they traveled from.
