Speaker Lineup Continues To Grow For AVN Novelty Expo

LAS VEGAS—As the AVN Novelty Expo rapidly approaches, the speakers list continues to grow. First-time participants and veteran exhibitors and attendees will serve as panelists for this year’s expanded educational program. The AVN Novelty Expo takes place Jan. 21-23 at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas. The seminars—and all events and exhibits related to ANE—take place in the Paradise Tower, which has been designated solely for ANE. To register to attend, visit NoveltyExpo.com. “Every year we have people begging to participate in our seminar program, which we believe to be the best in the industry,” said Sherri L. Shaulis, senior editor of pleasure products for AVN. “It’s flattering that so many people understand our mission to provide information from the best possible sources on the issues that face our industry today.” In addition to several returning speakers, many fresh new faces will also be on panels that address everything from the Fifty Shades of Grey frenzy to legal issues retailers and manufacturers face today. Panelists are still being added to seminars every day. To date, the topics and speakers are as follows:   Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015   11 a.m. to noon Google Changed the Rules … Now What? Now that Google AdWords has begun lowering the boom on what they refer to as “sexually explicit content,” several adult sites—including those that sell pleasure products and adult novelties—have been affected. Here, panelists give tips on how to play by the rules and make sure your sites doesn’t get ignored. Panelists include Inga Van Riper of Honey’s Place, Colin Rowntree of Wasteland.com and Eric Bernstein, attorney   1-2 p.m. Beware The Aisles of Merch Store owners know to rely on their distributors and manufacturers to guide them in how to stock their shelves with certain products, but is there anyone who can show you how to organize your entire store to ensure the best experience for your customers and maximize your profits? This seminar features successful retailers who have done just that in their brick-and-mortars. Panelists include Robin Jennings of The Pleasure Chest and Nikki Mier of Fairvilla   2-3 p.m. Return of the Superstar There was a time when much of the packaging for sex toys had porn stars plastered everywhere. With the advent of adult boutiques, much of that style fell by the wayside. But now, manufacturers are producing more and more items molded after adult performers and using their branding and imaging to sell products. Panelists discuss tips for selling these items and discuss what’s changed since the first go-around. Panelists include Larry Garland of Eldorado Trading Co., Daniel Pacheco of Fleshlight and Shellie of Crystal Delights   3-4 p.m. For Women Only Mainstream media is quick to write about the issues—both real and imaginary—facing female performers in the adult industry. But women who work in other areas of the industry—as store owners, buyers, manufacturers, sex educators, bloggers and more—face a host of issues, both personally and professionally. In this closed-door session, women can gather in a safe space and talk about anything. No topic is off limits. There are no set panelists for this event, which is an open roundtable discussion open to all women of the industry   Thursday, Jan. 22, 2105   11 a.m. to noon Legal Issues Facing the Industry In this seminar, top lawyers representing various aspects of the adult industry answer questions about everything from applying for patents to zoning issues and everything in between. Panelists include attorneys Taniel Anderson and Eric Bernstein   1-2 p.m. Crowd Funding 101 Some people have had major success, while others have never even come close to the amounts they asked for. What makes for a successful crowdfunding campaign? Here, representatives from manufacturers who have done everything right—OK, maybe there was a hiccup here and there—and seen their dreams become a reality with other people’s money. Panelists include Wendy Adams of Teddy Love and Dr. Xtreme of Orgasmatronics   2-3 p.m. The Fifty Shades Frenzy It’s all been leading up to this: The release of the much anticipated mainstream movie Fifty Shades of Grey is only weeks away. But if your store isn’t prepared to capitalize on what could be the biggest thing to happen to the adult pleasure product industry in recent memory, then let our panelists give you some tips get ready for the big day. Panelists include Marcus West of Joydivision and Lucy Vonne D’Olimpio Kendrick of Evolved Novelties   3-4 p.m. I’ve Seen It All … Now Impress Me Every creator of a sex toy thinks they have the most unique, most original and most one-of-a-kind pleasure product. And they are not the first, or the last, people to think that. Here, buyers from major distributors tell us what they are looking for in a new item, and what has really caught their attention. Panelists include Dennis Paradise of Paradise Marketing, Marcus West of Joydivision and Lucy Vonne D’Olimpio Kendrick of Evolved Novelties   Friday, Jan. 23, 2015   11 a.m. to noon No Strings Attached There’s a major trend afoot: Vibrators are connecting people through vast distances thanks to app-controlled technology. In this seminar, manufacturers tell us the stories behind their creations, why they think the time for these types of toys has come and what’s in store for the future. Panelists include Lucy Vonne D’Olimpio Kendrick of Evolved Novelties, Larry Garland of Eldorado Trading Co. and Dr. Xtreme of Orgasmatronics   1-2 p.m. The Importance of Sex Ed Most retailers know they need to take advantage of manufacturers and distributors sending reps to their store in order to educate their staff. But often overlooked is the importance of having a sex educator on staff, or at least offering seminars to customers and staff by qualified educators. Here, retailers and sex educators talk about the need for good sex ed at all levels. Panelists include Anne Hodder of Hodder Media and Robin Jennings of The Pleasure Chest   2-3 p.m. You Can’t Download A Dildo … Right? It’s been a catchphrase for some time on the novelty side of the industry. Piracy isn’t a problem because you can’t download a dildo. But now, pleasure product manufacturers are facing situations where foreign companies are manufacturing and selling knock-off versions of their popular products. This seminar address that issue and what can be done about it. Panelists include Greg DeLong of njoy Toys     3-4 p.m. Yelp 101: See Your Store Through Your Customers’ Eyes The standard rule is never read the comments. But with the proliferation of review sites for businesses, and any number of social media sites where customers can sing your praises or tear you down, how much should you pay attention to what they have to say? Panelists include attorney Eric Bernstein and Nenna Joiner of Feelmore 510   ANE is part of the annual AVN Adult Entertainment Expo. One of the largest trade shows of its kind, the 2015 AVN AEE promises to be the B2B event of the year. AEE showcases a variety of cutting edge products, exhibits the largest suppliers and distributors, host key buyers, and features the hottest talent under one roof. AEE shines a spotlight on the brightest names in the adult industry, offers the most informative trade seminar programs, sexiest stage shows and musical performances, and shows off the latest technology behind some of the most innovative sex toys and novelties on the market today, and in the future. With 30,000 attendees set to transform Hard Rock Hotel & Casino into a hedonistic playground, agents are ready to come play AEE provides an exciting and unique experience for members and fans of the adult entertainment industry. AEE trade registration includes the AEE Trade Show, the AEE Fan Fest and the AVN Novelty Expo. To register for a badge, click here. Featuring one of the most varied mix of adult companies AEE has seen in many years, the show is on track to provide industry members (as well as fans) the opportunity to see the latest products and hottest male and female performers in the world, all under one roof at the world-famous Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. To secure space before it's too late, contact AVN at (818) 718-5788 or aeesales@avn.com. All fan, trade and press attendees may go to AVNShow.com for information on the 2015 AVN Show events.