Attendees of the 2005 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo are invited to attend any or all of the six seminars planned during the show’s first three days, including the keynote speech from Adam & Eve’s founder and CEO Phil Harvey on opening day.
A calendar of the seminars, along with a thorough overview of each seminar, is presented below:
Thursday, January 6, 2005
9:30 am – 11:00 am
Opening Business Session – Where Are We Headed?
Phil Harvey, founder and CEO of Adam & Eve will be the keynote speaker for this opening sessions where speeches and discussions will focus on where the adult industry is headed in 2005. Phil will discuss the change in the software aspects of video and internet delivery systems, but more importantly, where we stand politically this coming year.
He’ll be joined by Al Bloom, Marketing Director of California Exotic Novelties. Al will discuss the changing face of adult toys in this rapidly evolving retail market.
John Stagliano, owner of Evil Angel Video, one of the top purveyors of gonzo adult features will discuss the impact of an increased amount of product on an already glutted market and his personal shift to the stage where he’s launched The Fashionistas, a musical based on his AVN Award Winning film of the same name.
Joy King, Vice President of Special Projects for Wicked Pictures will speak out about piracy and the effect it has on adult DVD releases, especially to a company as mainstream and successful as Wicked. She discuss how they employ Macrovision into every one of their DVD releases.
Aly Drummond, Marketing Director of AVN.com, will discuss the convergence of video and Internet business with the move away from finished goods into the digital content medium and what this all means to producers, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers and most importantly, consumers.
Tim Connelly, publisher of AVN Magazine and editor of AVN.com will moderate and handle the question and answer segment.
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Beyond Video-Marketing and Retailing of Toys & Novelties
The selling of novelties is entering a newera—it’s becoming main stream. More women and couples are walking into stores now than ever before, and they are looking for guidance with their purchases. As manufacturers we strive to give you the tools you need—not just to stock your shelves—but to close the sale.
Our goal this afternoon at this seminar is to help you increase sales and profits by giving better markeing information, teaching effective sales techniques, addressing product education and merchandising ideas and providing overall helpful hints to better serve your clientele.
Todd Carter of I-D Lubricants will begin the presentation followed by Metis Black of Tantus Silicone, Cheryl Flangel of Kama Sutra, Shay Martin of Vibratex and Julie and Tom Stewart of Sportsheets. There will be questions and answers following with a prize drawing at the close of the session. Winners must be present at time of drawing.
Friday, January 7, 2005
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
A Studio's Views on Adult Retailing-A Conversation with Adam Glasser
Adam Glasser, president of Seymore Butts Home Movies and star of the Showtime series, Family Business, will talk about retailing of adult product from a studio's perspective.
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Obscenity—It’s Back!
After a long period during which obscenity prosecutions were rare, federal and state law enforcement have begun to step up their attacks on adult products. At the same time, the courts have been giving ever greater protection to sexual expression. And retailers and distributors may be caught in the crossfire. Should you be worried and what can you do to protect yourself? Come find out from leading First Amendment attorneys including Paul Cambria, Kathleen Janssen and Lawrence Walters and moderated by VSDA's Vice President of Public Affairs, Sean Bersell.
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
GAYVN — The Growing Gay and Lesbian Market
Gayporn superstar Michael Lucas of the production and distribution powerhouse, Michael Lucas Entertainment will be the keynote speaker for this revealing look into the rapid expansion of adult products with a gay theme. You’ll learn where the business is going, what’s making it grow so fast and what your product mix should be.
Joining Michael Lucas will be Morgan Sommer, the co-founder and advertising director Cybersocket, a leading voice in gay and lesbian online information since 1996. Cybersocket is also the largest freely distributed gay print magazine, with a circulation of 70,000 issues monthly.
Multi-award winning producer/director John Rutherford, President and Creative Director of COLT Studio Group, has produced over 300 man-on-man films in his career. The look of his films is unmistakable and has garnered him multiple awards and accolades, including a life-time achievement award from AVN in 2001. After 14 years at the Falcon Family of Companies Rutherford resigned in June of 2003 and subsequently announced his acquisition of COLT Studio Group. To date, he has produced and directed five features for the “John Rutherford Feature” brand for the COLT Studio Group. Taking the helm from famed photographer Jim French in 2003 meant bridging the 37-year history of COLT Studio with the constantly changing dynamics of the industry today. “I want to continue the legacy of what Jim created while blending it seamlessly with the continuing evolution of COLT Studio” says Rutherford. He’ll discuss the evolution of his company and their recent addition of Bel Ami Pictures.
Rob Novinger is one of the founders and Chief Operating Partners for video distribution, video production, and the internet ventures that comprise Channel 1 Releasing, which include award winning Chi Chi LaRue’s Rascal Video and Live and Raw. C1R began operation in 1999, was joined by LaRue in 2000, and began its’ internet endeavors in 2001. Today C1R is one of the only gay adult companies that produces and distributes all of its’ own video product and the only gay adult company to produce and distribute both video and live Internet content.
Erik E. Schut, the Managing Editor of TLA Entertainment Group/ TLA Video, one of the largest e-commerce retailers focusing on mainstream, straight and gayporn has an amazing customer database and recently boasts their 400,000 customer. He’ll offer some unique insights into what makes gayporn thrive on the Internet.
Tim Connelly, publisher of AVN and GAYVN, which is planning on a monthly launch for May 2005 will moderate. Question and answer session will follow.
Saturday, January 8, 2005
12:00 p.m.– 1:30 p.m.
The Latest Concepts in Adult Retailing
Bricks and mortar stores are going “click to order” at an amazing rate, though don’t count out local retail outlets for adult entertainment yet. There’s vending machines, more novelties, 4-hour compilations, VHS blowouts and monthly subscriptions and Internet rental models created to help an impulse buy become a informed choice.
Tim Connelly, publisher of AVN Magazine will moderate this panel that will discuss the changing face of adult retail from the old school way of doing things to the new etailing that is taking over—it seems.
Bill Murphy of Fairvilla Superstores, one of the most successful video chain stores just had his best year ever. He’ll discuss moving into etailing while continuing to grow as a bricks and mortar retailer.
Vanessa Keegan of TLA Video will discuss how her company has taken the Internet model and made it work for them, with TLA recently reaching their 400,000 customer.
Richard Cohen of HotMovies.com will discuss the lucrative Video on Demand medium and how he’s working hand-in-hand with production studios, manufacturers and distributors to feed the seeming insatiable demands for more product to watch.
Dave Kratka, the owner of Divine Distributors, will discuss how price drives the impulse driven costumer who can’t seem to get enough of this disposable form of pop culture. He’ll illustrate why there are never enough releases, despite there being 10,000+ titles released per year.
Carol Queen, the founder of Good Vibrations, a Bay Area California company specializing in products for women, informed couples and curious singles has become a spokeswoman for how to do it right, educate your audience and help your business grow. She offers amazing insight, intelligence and experience in the field of retail marketing of erotica to the masses.
A question and answer session will follow.
