LOS ANGELES—AVN Media Network announced its program of trade seminars last month; now, in just a few days, the show will begin at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas. An additional seminar has been added to the lineup, and speakers are signed up and ready to go. It's a tight playlist of seminars that caters to the interests of retailers, content producers and performers.
Below is the rundown of the seminars for the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo, with moderators and speakers, that will be on our hit parade during the show. Seminars will take place the first three days of the show, January 18-20, and are open only to attendees with trade badges.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18
Hit Me With Your Best Shot (2 p.m.)
Now that California’s Proposition 60 has been defeated, what’s next from AIDS Healthcare Foundation and Cal/OSHA? We’ll explore what adult companies can do to protect themselves and avoid legal trouble, whether they’re shooting in the Golden State or in neighboring Nevada. Moderator: Mark Kernes. Panelists: FSC executive director Eric Leue, director Kevin Moore, attorney Karen Tynan.
With a Little Help From My Friends (3 p.m.)
The adult community, like the rest of the United States, has its fair share of people in crisis, struggling with everything from financial difficulties to substance abuse issues. But in an industry with few large corporations boasting well-staffed HR departments, it can be more difficult to find help. A group of industry veterans share ideas on how to assist colleagues in crisis. Moderator: Wasteland.com founder Colin Rowntree. Panelists: Licensed therapist Hernando Chaves, Adam & Eve General Manager Bob Christian, Adult Industry Support Group founder Melissa Hill, Adult Performer Advocacy Committee board member Chanel Preston.
Money (That’s What I Want) (4 p.m.)
Adult companies have come up with some creative approaches to combatting piracy, among them Free Porn Day, the #PayForYourPorn social media campaign, and even crowdfunding efforts. We’ll look at how these initiatives played out, and talk about avenues that producers can explore in the future. Moderator: Dr. Chauntelle Tibbals. Nate Glass, Evil Angel CFO Adam Grayson, attorney Allan Gelbard, director Lee Roy Myers.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19
NEW: Girls on Film (1 p.m.)
Whether you’re a cam girl looking to make customs or a porn star who wants to launch a site, there’s more to shooting clips than just picking up a Go Pro. Instead, learn from the pros. This panel will cover equipment, legal considerations, post-production, where to sell your content and how to boost sales—as well as a rundown on what problems you might encounter. Moderator: MeanBitch productions Glenn King. Panelists: Jimmy Broadway, performers Astro Domina, Ashley Fires and Ela Darling; Clips4Sale producer Luke Longly, Jay from IWantClips.com.
When the Whip Comes Down (2 p.m.)
It’s been eight years since the Republicans have controlled the White House, and if the past is any predictor, adult content producers have reason to be wary of how a Republican-led Justice Department might affect their bottom line. Attorneys and business people who remember the bad old days of Meese and Ashcroft will provide historical perspective. Moderator: Mark Kernes. Panelists: Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Eric Leue; attorneys Clyde DeWitt, J. Michael Murray and Reed Lee; Evil Angel founder John Stagliano.
Meet the New Boss (3 p.m.)
Adult stars and directors face the same challenges as other performers and artists. Many are independent contractors who don’t enjoy the benefits provided to traditional employees. One solution is to incorporate. This panel will look at the benefits and pitfalls of creating your own business—with yourself as the CEO—and explore the ways you can help that business grow. Moderator: MeanBitch producer Glenn King. Panelists: attorney Karen Tynan, performer/director Ela Darling, producers Jim Orlando and Jersey Black, and accountant Scott Kimball.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T (4 p.m.)
Does porn exploit women? Or is performing in porn the ultimate form of empowerment? It’s a question that women in the adult industry tend to hear, whether asked by feminists, porn bashers or even fans. Whether they’re performers or producers, women in adult find their own path to power in an industry where the end product traditionally has been geared toward men. We’ll hear from some industry powerhouses about how they go about creating entertainment that is arousing to all and degrading to none. Moderator: Dr. Chauntelle Tibbals. Panelists: director Kay Brandt, Penthouse President Kelly Holland, Kristel Penn of Grooby, Girlsway Head of Production Bree Mills, performer/director Angela White.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20
Born This Way (2 p.m.)
Gender is no longer a binary concept—and in that spirit AVN presents a very non-binary panel led by queer adult performers. Speakers will share their outlook and experiences and talk about resources their communities need. Audience participation is encouraged in this discussion of sexuality, gender identity and porn. Moderator: AVN Transsexual Performer of the Year Venus Lux. Panelists: performers Buck Angel, Milcah Halili, Verta and Jack Hammer.
People Are People (3 p.m.)
Though interracial porn has been a top-selling genre in porn in recent years, many have asserted that there are fewer opportunities for performers of color. A multicultural mix of performers and producers talk about their experiences in the industry. Black Angel Global director Alexander DeVoe, who helmed the Urban X Awards, will moderate the discussion. On the panel are adult stars Nyomi Banxxx, Flash Brown, Sean Michaels, Kristina Rose, Cindy Starfall and Lexington Steele.
Fine State of Things (4 p.m.)
Porn is known as a forward-looking industry—quick to adapt to new tech trends and often the driving force behind tech being adapted in the first place. But while porn is looking to the future, what does the future of porn itself look like? In a panel hosted by AskMen.com, porn's leading lights, from the sexy stars to the power players, will talk about what changes they see coming to porn in the coming years. What will porn in 2020 look like when it comes to tech, legislation, culture and more? Moderator: Dr. Chauntelle Tibbals. Panelists: performer Julia Ann, WomenByJuliaAnn.com; and director Lee Roy Myers, WoodRocket.com; Shirley Lara, Chaturbate.com; Brian Shuster, HoloFilm Produtions.
For more information, go to AVNShow.com.
Trade registration is available here. Members of the Adult Industry can go here to book hotel rooms.
For press and media regarding AEE, contact Brian Gross at (818) 340-4422 or [email protected].
