The AVN Adult Entertainment Expo, the largest adult entertainment tradeshow of its kind, attracted big crowds today as thousands of retailers and fans toured the wide range of exhibits at the Sands Expo Center.rnrn
The day opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Money B. of hip hop group Digital Underground, AVN Female Performer of the Year nominee Obsession and VSDA Home Entertainment Events Board member Tom Warren. Attendees toured the show floor's main area on this first day of the four day show.rnrn
All large booths attracted sizeable crowds including Vivid's brand new booth, resplendent with floor to ceiling white billowy curtains, a raised platform floor and red plastic enclosed meeting rooms. rnrn
"We were taken over by Hustler this year and we thought it would be a good thing to have a completely new look," Vivid's Howard Levine told AVN.com. "We went pretty much one hundred and eighty degrees from what Vivid has done in the past and we wanted something that was completely different from anything else anyone was doing. I am very pleased that ours looks nothing like anybody else's....this has been an incredible day for us with a great response to our product and to the new girls, like Briana [Banks] and Sunrise [Adams]. Jenna [Jameson]is a mob scene out here right now."rnrn
The mobbed Vivid Girl Jenna Jameson said, "I feel like I am hanging by a thread but it's a very nice thread. It's day one and I am pumped. I love this new boothrnrn
VCA director of marketing and publicity Mischa Allen was very enthusiastic about the day, saying, "We are very pleased with the crowds this year. Last year at the very beginning it seemed kinda quiet but this year, it is just a great energy for retailers. Our salesmen have been talking to a lot of retailers and we are very happy. It's great to be this close to the people who sell our product. It fuels me for the rest of the year."rnrn
VCA contract performer Sunset Thomas signed in VCA's booth today, her first time there for several years. "It feels great to be back with the family again. It's wonderful signing for the retailers and fans again. I eat this up, I just love being here for my fans," Thomas said.rnrn
Metro publicist Carly Milne expressed her pleasure with how the first day of the show was going for her company.rnrn
"The first day is always a bit of a feeling out process because you are getting used to the amount of people that are coming through and what they want. A lot of retailers have been dropping by and talking with us about our products, such as our Sex and the Studio title and our voice-activated DVD and we have had a lot of press swarming over Kelly [Erickson, Metro contract performer]...If it weren't for all these people walking by and getting signatures and coming up to meet people, none of us would be here," Milne said.rnrn
"Every time I turn around, I am getting my picture taken," Erickson said. "I really like talking to the retailers."rnrn
Other performers signing in booths for companies included Devon and new contract performer Jesse Jane for Digital Playground, Chloe, Tawny Roberts, Sunset Thomas and Julie Meadows for VCA, Briana Banks, Dasha, Taya and Savanna Samson for Vivid, Stephanie Swift, Devinn Lane, Sydnee Steele, Julia Ann and Stormy for Wicked, Nina Hartley, Alexandra Silk, Ava Vincent, Asia Carrera, Monica Mayhem and Keri Windsor for Adam & Eve, April, Obsession, Holly Hollywood and Ron Jeremy for Metro, Jessica Drake, Aria and Dolorian for Smash Pictures, Gina Lynn for Pleasure Productions, Carmen Luvana and Calli Cox for New Sensations, and many more.rnrn
This is production company DreamGirls first year with their own booth at the show and they feel that their presence at the event is important. Jim Faile of the company said, "It makes sense for us to have a booth for retailers to be able to see and connect with us at. The foot traffic at this show is incredible and it seems like a really well put together show."rnrn
First-time exhibitor Freedom Distributing was also enthused. "We are making lots of great contacts here, lots of stores who have been looking for our stuff," company president Paul Interlandi said of the day. "If any of our new distribution deals come through, we have paid for the booth. This is a great show to do."rnrn
Retailers attending the event had a good time and seemed to enjoy the attention their booths received.rnrn
Ted Darker of Caged Boutique in Sarasota, Florida was waiting in line to see Thomas and said, "Everyone here is willing to help teach me what moves and sells better. AVN is one of my top reads all the time and I get to come here and see the stuff I read about up close. This is a great place to do your homework."rnrn
Rob Cromwell of Love Shack Video in San Angelo, Texas experienced the show for the first time today. "I was kinda overwhelmed when I first arrived but there are lots of new items for me to look at for the store....I have been talking with people and I had a good conversation with a director about what would make his product sell better in my store. I am on the front lines whereas these people made their money already. They know that I am the guy who is making them the money. I know that this guy heard me and it was great," Cromwell said.rnrn
The Expo continues until Sunday.
