The 2004 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo attracted more industry professionals, more exhibitors, and more fans than ever before, organizers of the show announced Monday. The Expo took place January 8-11, 2004 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.
According to preliminary attendance figures, more than 8,000 industry professionals - including retailers, distributors, manufacturers, exhibitors, press, and adult stars - and nearly 16,000 fans attended the Expo. The total attendees in each category exceeded the number of attendees in 2003, which set the previous record for attendance.
"The AVN Adult Entertainment Expo is a great barometer of the vitality of the adult entertainment industry," said Paul Fishbein, president and CEO of Adult Video News. "The across-the-board growth of the Expo indicates that the industry is strong, profitable, and reaching more consumers than ever."
According to Carrie Dieterich, spokesperson for show producer Home Entertainment Events, "The aggressive trade marketing campaign that was launched prior to the Expo, combined with strong word-of-mouth from the devoted fans of adult entertainment, gave fan attendance a boost this year. In addition, the Expo offered more to our trade attendees this year with the sold-out B2B Marketplace, the Opening Business Session, Gay Product Showcase, and seminars."
The "All Business All the Time" B2B Marketplace was a section of the show floor that was devoted to companies that are focused on products and services for retailers and do not benefit from general fan interest. Nearly 50 exhibiting companies participated in the B2B Marketplace, which provided a quieter atmosphere for business networking and meeting with customers during the first three days of the event. Show organizers promise that the sold-out B2B Marketplace will expand for the 2005 Expo.
"We had a great experience at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo," said Bryan Berber, vice president of New Beginnings. "Being in the B2B Marketplace made all the difference in the world."
The first-ever Opening Business Session attracted a large crowd to hear the views of Hustler publisher and President of LFP Video, Larry Flynt, Evil Angel director John Leslie, actress Nina Hartley, supplier Christian Mann, CEO of Video Team, and retailers Vanessa Keegan of TLA Video, Carol Queen of Good Vibrations, Bill Murphy of Fairvilla Megastore, and Dan Quinn of Horizon Media Group. Moderator Tim Connelly, publisher of AVN, kept this panel of industry stalwarts busy on a variety of topics ranging from censorship to the different genres of adult films and emerging technologies.
Censorship was a compelling concern of those who participated in the standing room only Legal Seminar. The panel included leading adult industry attorneys Louis Sirkin, Larry Walters, Arthur Schwartz, and Paul Cambria. These legal specialists covered topics such as obscenity, unsolicited commercial e-mail, zoning of adult businesses, and effective strategies for avoiding legal problems.
The AVN Adult Entertainment Expo is sponsored by Adult Video News (AVN) and produced by Home Entertainment Events.
The 2005 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo will return to the Sands Expo Center on January 6-9. Companies interesting in exhibiting may contact Home Entertainment Events' Janet Gibson at [email protected] or by phone at 1-800-854-3112.
