LAS VEGAS—Earlier this month AVN Media Network announced a new feature for the B2B attendees of the AVN Show: a Workshop Program with sessions on a variety of topics aimed at both pleasure product industry folk as well as performers and content producers. The workshops are an addition to the regular AVN Show seminar program. (For details on the seminars, click here or find a combined list of events here.
The AVN Adult Entertainment Expo, presented by MyFreeCams, takes place January 24-27 at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas. Workshops will run during the first three days of the show, and are open to all attendees with trade badges.
The lineup is listed below. All events take place in Room 1A in the Paradise Tower, located in the hallway just past the elevators.
Wednesday, Jan. 24
1 p.m.: Wikipedia Your Brand
Wikipedia is here to stay and has become the tech industry's top source of free information. Apple's Siri, Google, Microsoft Bing and Amazon's Alexa all pull information from Wikipedia to answer questions about performers and brands. While Wikipedia is a great place to help establish your brand, you need to understand how it works, who "runs" it, and what you can do to control it. Hosted by Andrew Grubbs of WikiPatrol
2:30 p.m. Romancing the Stoned: Cannabis and the Adult Retail Space
Cannabis is already a multibillion-dollar industry and according to Bloomberg, is expected to grow to $50 billion by 2026. Although adult retailers cannot sell THC-infused products on their shelves, they can sell ancillary products like pipes, vaporizers, lighters, and other cannabis consumption accoutrements as well as providing education to customers. Join the CannaSexual, Ashley Manta, and Dirty Lola of Shag in NYC to discuss the latest trends in the cannabis industry and how you as a retailer can get involved!
4 p.m. Tiny but Mighty: Small Independent Sex Shops and YOU!
Sex shops come in all shapes and sizes, but much like cock rings you can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach when working with them. Especially those of the small independent variety. Join Dirty Lola of Shag in Brooklyn, N.Y., Hunter Riley of Self Serve in Albuquerque, N.M., and Zoe Ligon of Spectrum Boutique in Detroit, Mich., for a roundtable discussion as they give you an inside look at how their small indie shop's approach to education and personable service can help you reach a wider audience that is ready/excited/empowered to learn more about you have to offer. They will also share the struggles their shops and others like them face, and how we as an industry can be better allies and come together to help them thrive and continue to flourish in the communities they serve.
5:30 p.m. Relationships Through the Ages
We're not in our 20s anymore so why should we expect our bodies to act like we are? This workshop address the older crowd who is walking in your stores who wants to continue to have sex throughout their relationship. Hosted by James and Kathi from Peppers Parties, Too in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Thursday, January 25
11:30 a.m. Legal Tips for Creating Content
Performers are the new producers of the industry. More content is being produced now than ever before in the history of the industry. Clips, live streams, cam shows, amateur scenes and even content trades are all very popular ways for performers to maximize their revenue. However, there are many legal issues that performer/producers have to be aware. It can be overwhelming whether you are brand new to the industry or are a veteran.
Some of the issues that will be covered during this workshop include:
- DMCA and Copyright Law
- Incorporation - Inc or LLC
- Trademark Law
- Right to Publicity and Privacy
- The Legal Difference Between Porn and Prostitution
- Workers Compensation Law
- Liability & Production Insurance
- 18 USC 2257 and 28 CFR 75.1
- Registering Domain Names & Cybersquatting
- Model Release Agreements & Content Trade Agreements
- Independent Contractor vs. Employee Issues
- Filming Permits & Condom Permits
- Employment Law Issues
- Payroll Tax Issues
- Health, Safety, STD Testing an OSHA Issues
- Producing Content in “Grey” States
Whether you are a new performer/producer or an established vet, this workshop will be worth attending. Small producers and large producers most all comply with the same laws. Hosted by adult entertainment attorney Michael Fattorosi.
1 p.m. Vibrator Nation: Inside the Sex Toy Revolution
Join author and adult industry expert Lynn Comella for the AVN launch of her groundbreaking book Vibrator Nation, in which she takes a deep dive into the fascinating history of how women helped ignite the sex toy revolution and change the business of pleasure. Moderated by adult film star and sex educator Jessica Drake. A book signing will follow.
2:30 pm. For Women Only
It might be a “man’s world,” but women more often than not run the show. In this closed-door, round-table discussion, women from all areas of adult entertainment can share their concerns, issues, triumphs and more. No topic is off limits.
5:30 p.m. AccSex : Sex Toys and Disability
Fifteen percent of the world’s population is comprised of people with disabilities, visible and hidden. Guess what? People with disabilities have sex, and are interested in finding out what adult products work for their bodies. This also includes people who are aging, and finding their abilities changing. Join Robin Wilson-Beattie and Bethany Stevens, disability and sexuality educators, as they share with how to reach and assist this market. Participants will come away from this workshop with information about toys and merchandise that are currently assisting people to give and receive pleasure, and ways to make your stores and marketing accessible for your customers.
Friday, January 26
11 a.m.: Making Great Specialty Content
With so much content available to consumers, it’s important to make something unique, memorable and compelling. This workshop will cover everything you will need to know to produce great content. We will start with pre-production and cover equipment, casting and preparation. Then we will cover tips and tricks, and how to make the most out of your time on set. And there’s post-production: what you need to edit your content and output it in a format that will be welcomed by prospective buyers.
Moderated by Glenn King. Panelists: Goddess Kyaa, Jimmy Broadway, Alexis Monroe, Lexington Steele.
1 p.m. Stars of Plus Size Porn
This panel features plus size performers who will address what they love about the current pornscape, how they are pushing forward and innovating, what works, and what they hope to see happen in 2018-19. Hosted by Courtney Trouble of TROUBLEfilms.
2:30 p.m. Media Training for the Adult Industry
While media attention is often sought out by adult industry, it comes with significant downsides—privacy violations, out-of-context quotes, disparagement and incorrect facts. In this session, FSC Communications Director Mike Stabile will help adult performers and others understand their rights when dealing with the media, evaluate press opportunities, learn how to navigate difficult or hostile questions, get your point across accurately, and correct the facts when they're wrong. With the media glare intensifying for award season, learn how to protect yourself, while still getting the attention you deserve. Hosted by FSC’s Michael Stabile.
4 p.m. Taking Care of Business
Many of those who are successful in the adult industry these days are the ones who enthusiastically embrace their inner entrepreneur, taking every side hustle they can to get ahead. AVN Award-winning director Alexander DeVoe will lead a workshop for producers, directors and business owners on diversifying and forming strategic partnerships—particularly those looking to produce content for markets that have potential for enormous growth. Hosted by Alexander DeVoe.
5:30 p.m. Models of Consent
How do we navigate consent and workplace safety in the current socio-political climate? Everyone wants to operate a safe and ethical set, one where models are comfortable and eager to return. Due to the unique sexual nature of our workplace, it can be hard to know where boundaries lie. This panel, hosted by APAC, the Adult Performer Advocacy Committee, will showcase directors who have shown exemplary commitment to respecting those boundaries. They will share their communication methods and the workplace practices they follow. Hosted by APAC.
More information about the AVN Show can be found at AdultEntertainmentExpo.com.
To register for the show, click here.
To book a room, click here.
