AEE Returns for Another Successful Year

By Rod Bethke

Event Photos by Roger Bennett

Red Carpet Photos by Rod Bethke

With a new format and a new venue this year the AEE went off without a hitch showcasing its best for the coming year. The show ran for four days the 18^th thru the 21^st at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino instead of the Sands Convention Center, where it ran previous years. The format this year seemed smaller than last year, but the halls were easier to get to and your favorite stars were easy to find. The expo even had the fan fest inside the brand new Joint on the last two days of the show to give you the chance to get up close and personal.

As you wander both halls, it became harder each day due to all the fans that had shown up. Even with the new venue and format, headliners such as Ron Jeremy and Chyna had come out to sign autographs for fans; some stars were charging for autographs and photos. There were, of course, videos and toys all over the place and anything else you could imagine for sale, even a massage table from ExtremeMassageTables.com that has removable parts and can be moved into different positions.

On the last day of the fan fest is when the AVNs are held and they are dubbed the “Oscars of porn.” Like every other award show the AVNs start with a red carpet entrance, studded for all the A-list stars to walk down. Big names were spotted like Dave Navarro, Jose Canseco, Ron Jeremy, Jessica Drake and of course the host of the evening Dave Attell. The AVNS were held at The Joint at The Hard Rock compared to last year it was at the Pearl Theater inside the Palms Hotel Casino. Jesse Jane took best supporting actress in the movie “Fighters.” Ron Jeremy won the Crossover star of the year award and Steven Hirsch won the visionary award.

While the convention was going on in Las Vegas, back in Los Angeles the city voted 9-1 to require condoms on male actors in film shoots within city limits. Up to this point the industry had been allowed to operate independently for years from state regulation in California. At this point they don’t know who will handle the enforcement part of it. One producer said that he suspects that there will be a lawsuit filed by a big adult company to block the ordinance. The argument is not about sales but the acting; all the stars in the industry have the choice to wear condoms but don’t because the sex is painful because it is performed for more than 15 minutes at a time up to 45 minutes. A lot of the stars favor the current testing system that is in place. Although this was passed it doesn’t look like the industry is slowing down any time soon and is looking forward to returning to Las Vegas again next year.

Event Photos

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Red Carpet Photos

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