by Michael Satterfield - 01/26/2020
WARNING: THIS STORY FEATURES ADULT THEMES
Now I should preface this by saying I am not the kind of guy who can name a Porn Star that hasn't been in the mainstream media, and I have never even stepped foot into a strip club. But with the industry facing changes from technology, legalization, and ever-changing societal pressures, I was curious about what the world of sex for sale will look like in 2020.
My Uber dropped me off at the front of the doomed Hard Rock Hotel; the driver told me how the Virgin group would rebrand the hotel next year and that the soon-to-be ironically-named hotel would likely host next year's AVN show. The show doesn't start until the late afternoon and runs into the night; I had planned to walk through quickly to see if anyone of note was at the Playboy booth and then head back to my hotel, as I had spent the entire day at another tradeshow in town. Unlike most industry shows, anyone can purchase a ticket for as little as $60 and stroll through the displays.
In the casino, giant walls of multi-tone rubber breasts welcomed visitors declared #FreeTheNipple. Most showgoers would stop for a selfie, but I needed to go upstairs to the media suite to pick up my credentials. On the elevator ride up, I was joined by a large woman wearing leather hotpants, pasties, and a cape. I asked, "So, are you here for the expo or just on vacation?" She looked confused and said, "I am here for the expo, you?" I don't think she understood I was joking; the conversation was just slightly more uncomfortable than the standard elevator small talk you might have at a hotel. I exited to head to the media suite, and she said: "Have a great show," as the doors closed behind me.
In the media suite, a group of industry journalists was hanging out. I would say most were men in their late 50s or early 60s; that or they had just lived hard. I checked in, got my media badge, signed a waiver saying I wouldn't sexually assault anyone, and I was now free to head back downstairs to the convention. After a cursory inspection by security, I was allowed into the main hall. First impressions, it was much smaller than I had expected. Having covered tradeshows for years, I expected packed exhibitor halls; instead, the event was held in two ballrooms and a theater.
The first room was mostly large stages, and streaming companies like Chaturbate and MyFreeCams throngs of men packed the main entrance, eager to see the scantily clad adult stars and collect autographs. From what I could see, there was a clear hierarchy, the established studio-backed performers were more like mainstream celebrities, and it was not uncommon for a fan to say, "I loved your work in (insert porn film name)" or "I have been following your career for years." Meanwhile, the web streaming personalities seemed to be getting more attention from their fans online, who were watching their live streams from the expo. One streamer was dancing in what could only be described as a "sexy lobster" costume, and another teased her online fans by suggestively shaking her butt. I couldn't help but think, these are the girls that guys like Grant Amato get obsessed with and send all their money to. The male porn stars that were in attendance were largely sullen-looking, while popular female performers had lines dozens deep. The guys would only get the occasional fist bump followed by, "Yo, how many chicks have you banged?"
Making my way to the product section of the show, a small crowd has gathered around a shirtless man spanking a leather-clad woman with a pair of cat-o-nine-tails. The booth was for an online retailer of BDSM and Furry gear, and for a tip, you could be next up on the spank station. Other booths had all kinds of sex toys, products touting male enhancement, costumes, and even sex robots. I consulted the map trying to find the Playboy booth; however, after searching for the booth, I discovered that their staff had gone home early, and the once iconic brand had been reduced to just a 10X10 booth in the corner. In fact, the pornography-inspired energy drink called Sum Poosie had a bigger presence at the show, plus they are currently looking for distributors nationwide.
Across the room was the display for Realdoll, a company that is known for making eerily realistic sex dolls that can cost well over $10,000 once a buyer has built out their fully customized doll. On display were two versions of what the company calls Realdollx, powered by robotic software called Harmony AI. The customizable software allows users to "create unique personalities" for their dolls. Of course, like all software, it is a subscription service, so if you want your prosthetic lover to keep her personality, you'll need to renew your subscription after the first 12 months. The Realdollx, with its robotic head, can open and close its eyes, open and close its mouth, smile or frown, move its eyebrows, and even move its entire head side to side and up and down. The Harmony AI system includes a new Bluetooth-connected vaginal insert that causes the robotic face to react to touch... oh and it even has four voices you can choose from.
While the moving disembodied head is super creepy, the representative said that the company is growing faster than they can produce the high-tech sex dolls, or companions as they call them, and they are shipping dolls all over the world. He mentioned that their next-generation doll will have more sensors, quieter motors, and more advanced software. It is kind of scary that my Roomba keeps getting stuck on my kitchen rug while a team of engineers is busy trying to find a way to make a better ass sensor for sex robots. Also, don't worry ladies, they make male versions as well, however, he admitted that those made up a much small percentage of their sales.
The next booth over caught my attention since it was out of place; it looked more like it could have been representing a local chamber of commerce or a tourism office; it turns out it was for a sex workers' rights organization that was working to decriminalize sex work and had built broad coalitions that included libertarians in Montana and liberals from New York. Past a few more booths selling dildos, adult-themed vacations, and Japanse Hentai DVDs was the Free Speech Coalition's booth, an Adult Industry trade association that has long been a defender of the adult industries' First Amendment rights.
Making my way around to the theater called the "Chaturbate Joint," I saw booths set up with various appearances by industry celebrities or branded websites or publications. Roaming groups of men made their way around, collecting autographs and snapping photos with their cell phones. I made a lap and started to make my way back out to the main entrance, where I picked up one of the official show guides. Like any other trade show, there are seminars on cultivating inclusive retail spaces, influencer marketing, and body positivity. This might be a very different product, but these topics are discussed at nearly every retail trade event I have ever attended.
While the show was much smaller than I expected, the fans made for incredible people-watching, it was a strange place where the men who fuel this multi-billion-dollar industry are free to come out from behind their computer screens and express themselves in a "safe space." It gives the space strange energy; while there is sex around every corner, there isn't the overtly sexual tension that you would expect as an outsider. I have to admit when they told me that it was open to the general public, I was a little worried, but all the fans I saw were respectful, and the performers loved the attention...imagine that.
If you would like to attend a future AVN Adult Entertainment Expo as a fan, visit their fansite HERE for more information and to purchase tickets.
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