An Outsider Visits The AVN Expo

WARNING: THIS STORY FEATURES ADULT THEMES

When I was recently given the opportunity to attend the AVN Expo, which stands for Adult Entertainment News, in Las Vegas, I didn’t know what to expect. When I saw that Playboy was on the list of exhibitors, I thought there might be an opportunity to chat with someone about the Connie Kreski story I had been working on. With my girlfriend’s full knowledge, I accepted the invite to what is likely the most well-known Adult Industry trade show in the world. 

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.

AVN Expo: Into the Belly Of The Beast

My Uber dropped me off at the front of the doomed Hard Rock Hotel; the driver told me that 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 Expo. 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, declaring #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 adult 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 at the AVN Expo was mostly occupied by large booths 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 AVN Expo 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, I discovered that their staff had gone home early, and the once-iconic brand had been reduced to a 10X10 booth between some emergency exit doors. In fact, the pornography-inspired energy drink called Sum Poosie had a bigger presence at the AVN Expo, plus they are currently looking for distributors nationwide. 

AVN Expo: The Dolls Are Creepy

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, raise and lower 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 it can produce the high-tech sex dolls, or “companions,” as they call them, and that 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 smaller percentage of their sales.

AVN Expo: It’s Political

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 Japanese Hentai DVDs was the Free Speech Coalition‘s booth, an Adult Industry trade association that has long been a defender of the adult industry’s First Amendment rights. 

Making my way to the theater called the “Chaturbate Joint,” I saw booths set up featuring appearances by industry celebrities, 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 back to the main entrance, where I picked up one of the official AVN Expo 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 AVN Expo 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 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 Expo as a fan, visit their fansite HERE for more information and to purchase tickets.

Quick Facts: AVN Expo

• Event: AVN Adult Entertainment Expo (often shortened to AVN Expo or AEE), a major adult entertainment trade show and fan convention in Las Vegas.
• Organized by: AVN (Adult Video News) magazine, the industry publication behind the expo.
• Location in article: Las Vegas, Nevada, at venues like Hard Rock Hotel (historically) as tied to early 2020 visits.
• Audience: Both industry professionals and general public during designated open hours.
• Exhibits include: Streaming platforms, studios, adult products, novelties, and interactive displays.
• Celebrity interaction: Attendees can meet adult entertainment performers, collect autographs, and take photos.
• AVN Awards: A related awards show often held at the end of the expo week.
• Article angle: A first-person outsider perspective on what the show felt like as a non-industry attendee.

FAQ

What is the AVN Expo?
The AVN Expo, formally the Adult Entertainment Expo, is one of the largest adult entertainment trade shows in the United States, bringing together content creators, exhibitors, performers, and fans.

Where is the AVN Expo held?
It takes place annually in Las Vegas, Nevada, often in January, and has been hosted at venues like the Hard Rock Hotel and Resorts World or Virgin Hotels.

Who organizes the AVN Expo?
The event is put on by AVN magazine (Adult Video News), a longstanding industry publication.

Can anyone attend the AVN Expo?
Yes. Although the show has industry-only portions, parts of the expo are open to public ticket holders, allowing fans to walk the floor and meet performers.

What happens at the AVN Expo?
Attendees walk exhibitor halls that feature studios, streaming platforms, adult tech and products, celebrity autograph opportunities, and interactive experiences.

Is there an awards show connected to the AVN Expo?
Yes, the AVN Awards ceremony is typically held during the same week and celebrates achievements in the adult industry.