Page 12 - AVN Januray 2017

EDITOR’S DESK
The AVN Playlist
Listening and learning at the 2017 AVN Expo
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WHILE FANS THRONG THE HALLS at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo, intent on meeting their favorite stars inside the music-filled exhibit halls, trade attendees will be
marching to their own drummer. Business-minded folk come to the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo and the concurrent AVN Novelty Expo to learn from their peers
and keep up with the latest shifts in an always-changing industry. And one of the ways to learn is through AVN’s educational seminars.
For the 2017 show, AVN has a tight playlist of seminars planned that cater to the needs of retailers, manufacturers, content producers and performers. The following
seminars will be on AVN’s hit parade during the AVN Show, which runs January 18-21, 2017, at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas. Seminars are open to attendees
with trade badges.
AVN ADULT NOVELTY EXPO SEMINARS
THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR (JANUARY 18, 10 A.M.)
When you care enough to give your customers the
very best but don’t have the resources to make it on
your own, then white-labeled products might be the
answer. Learn about the basics and the benefits of
teaming up with a manufacturer to solidify your brand
with customers old and new.
MO MONEY, MO PROBLEMS (JANUARY 18, 11 A.M.)
Too often, adult-related businesses are turned down
for everything from loans to basic checking accounts
just because of the nature of the business. Learn how
to avoid the pitfalls when it comes to dealing with
banks, venture capital groups and more.
SMOKIN’ IN THE BOYS (& GIRLS) ROOM (JANUARY 18,
NOON)
With recreational marijuana gaining in popularity,
now is the time to start carrying items you never
considered before. Find out what items to stock, as
well as how to display them for maximum profits. And
learn how to find out about the laws affecting smoking
items in your jurisdiction.
IT’S NOT EASY BEING GREEN (JANUARY 19, 10 A.M.)
Returns from customers, defective products, testers
… none of these items can be sold to consumers, but
what are you supposed to do with them? And what
about reducing waste in other ways? Learn some of the
steps you can take to make Mother Earth happy—and
at the same time let your customers know about your
better business practices.
I’M COMING OUT (JANUARY 19, 11 A.M.)
Marketing sex toys to the LGBT consumer poses an
interesting set of challenges. Panelists discuss how
sales personnel can create inclusivity and a safe space
for LGBT consumers to shop comfortably, both online
as well as in brick-and-mortar retail stores.
WILL THE REAL SLIM SHADY PLEASE STAND UP? (JANUARY
19, NOON)
Pirated sex toys not only hurt manufacturers and
retailers; they also diminish consumer trust. What
steps can be taken at all levels of the industry to
combat bootleggers and their possibly dangerous
products? Even if you have a patent for your original
product, you can still face knock-offs. Experts share
stories and tips from all sides of the issue.
I DON’T WANNA BE LEARNED (JANUARY 20, 10 A.M.)
The industry is filled with products that claim to be
organic, or made with certified organic ingredients.
Are the claims accurate? And other labels list so many
ingredients they’re best deciphered by a chemistry
graduate student. Panelists will explain how to tell
what’s really inside these products, what is best to
stock on your shelves, and ways to educate your staff
and customers about the products and their claims.
ROCK DOWN TO ELECTRIC AVENUE (JANUARY 20, 11 A.M.)
Distributors, retailers and consumers are still a little
gun shy when it comes to e-stim products. We explore
the issues, the myths and the possibilities of these
products that are starting to spark in the mainstream.
OH YES IT’S LADIES NIGHT (JANUARY 20, NOON)
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.
AVN ADULT ENTERTAINMENT EXPO SEMINARS
EDITOR’S DESK | BY Sharan Street
HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT (JANUARY 18, 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.
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS (JANUARY 18, 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.
Industry veterans share ideas on how to assist
colleagues in crisis.
MONEY (THAT’S WHAT I WANT) (JANUARY 18, 4 P.M.)
Adult companies have come up with some creative
approaches to fighting 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 to
explore in the future.
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WHEN THE WHIP COMES DOWN (JANUARY 19, 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. Veterans who
remember the eras of Meese and Ashcroft will
provide historical perspective.
MEET THE NEW BOSS (JANUARY 19, 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, and explore
ways to help it grow.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T (JANUARY 19, 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. We’ll hear from some industry
powerhouses about how they go about creating
entertainment that is arousing to all and degrading to
none.
BORN THIS WAY (JANUARY 20, 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.
PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE (JANUARY 20, 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.
FINE STATE OF THINGS (JANUARY 20, 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.
For more information, go to AVNShow.com.