LOS ANGELES — Offering four days of enticing adult entertainment action targeting producers and consumers alike, the third annual Adult Entertainment Virtual Convention (AEVC) is exceeding its promoters’ expectations as it winds to a close. (photo gallery)
Running from Wednesday, Feb. 26, through Saturday, March 1, AEVC is a virtual version of a real-life adult industry trade event that brings together animated avatars, realistic graphics and live audio and video feeds, to recreate the benefits of the actual experience without any of its drawbacks, such as expense and travel.
Audience interaction through a private messaging system as well as via in session public chats allows for questions and discussions with peers.
AEVC promoters Anna Lee told XBIZ that she is extremely pleased at both the increased attendance and caliber of the speakers and talent at this year’s AEVC.
“This is our final year on the current platform and we could not have hoped for a more successful event,” Anna Lee intimated. “The show continues to grow and I look forward to seeing what will be possible when we launch next year’s event on our new platform with haptics abilities.”
Here is a day-by-day rundown of the AEVC:
DAY 1: Wednesday
The convention opened Wednesday morning, with early attendees gravitating towards the featured Baixo Cidade Hall, before the day’s first session, “Go Mobile or Go Home,” presented by Todd Glider and the BaDoink Team in the media-friendly AEVC Studio — a venue that enables presenters to include images, video clips and live webcam streams.
Utherverse chief Brian Shuster delivered the AEVC 2014 Welcome Address in the virtual world’s Lecture Hall, which served as the location for many of the event’s sessions.
Attendees also explored the featured Love City Hall before returning to the Lecture Hall for a Q&A session with GayHotMovies.com Marketing Director, Ryan Bagshaw, hosted by AEVC’s Anna Lee.
Following the session, Stephen Roche of HECS Inc. presented “The Future of Outsourcing in the Adult Industry” in a focused discussion at the Networking Bar, while over in the AEVC Studio, a how-to session on “Marketing like a Rockstar (or Pornstar!)” offered by Jo Merlone and Jay Kopita helped attendees learn some new techniques for promoting both themselves and their companies.
Next up, a panel of visionary technologists gazed into their collective crystal ball for a look at “The Future of the Industry.”
Featuring MiKandi’s Jennifer McEwen, Utherverse CEO Brian Shuster, MojoHost’s Brad Mitchell and Kiiroo co-founder Toon Timmermans with moderation by XBIZ’ Stephen Yagielowicz.
From technological advancements such as 4K Ultra HD video to the emergence of haptics and the use of wearable tech as an expanded display for mobile devices and how this will impact adult entertainment left the audience hungry for the future.
A Featured Hall devoted to adult superstar Amber Lynn provided the next stop on many of the attendees’ journeys.
Finally, the Opening Night Gala at Club Seka allowed attendees to mix, mingle and rock the night away, while exploring the sexier side of Red Light Center.
DAY 2: Thursday
Thursday opened with visitors being welcomed to the featured CCBill Hall on their way to the AEVC Studio for a well-attended workshop with 7Veils’ with Lauren MacEwen, entitled, “Social Media Marketing for the Adult Entertainment Industry,” where she put forth a variety of interesting tidbits to help performers and others make the most of social media promotions.
Among the tips MacEwen shared where that the placement of link in a tweet within the first half of the text boosts click through rates by 30 percent and that messages containing photos and videos are shared more widely. She also advised the use of Google+, which is rapidly growing in users and value.
Next the Lecture Hall became the place to be, as the Keynote Address with Evil Angel chief and free speech activist John Stagliano, got underway with hosting by Wasteland CEO Colin Rowntree, as the pair discussed Stagliano’s career, obscenity prosecution, freedom, and the future of porn. When Rowntree asked Stagliano if he ever planned to retire, the industry vet quipped that he would “die with his porn boots on,” illustrating the passion that so many have for the business of passion.
The Stoya Hall was featured next before adult icon Joanna Angel took over the AEVC Studio for a look at “The Balance of Performing and Running an Adult Entertainment Company,” a well-received and timely topic as more performers take control over their financial destiny and the way they are portrayed.
“The Politics of Porn” was next on the agenda in the Lecture Hall, with Colin Rowntree moderating a panel of experts, including FSC CEO Diane Duke, Sex & Censorship’s Jerry Barnett, as well as adult industry attorneys Greg Piccionelli and Lawrence Walters, along with XBIZ’ Senior Editor Stephen Yagielowicz.
HECS, Inc.’ Stephen Roche once again brought its insights to the Networking Bar in a thought provoking discussion, asking “Are You Making Enough in the Porn Industry? Why Not?” This is a topic much on the minds of many attendees seeking solutions for increasing revenues and illustrates the value of AEVC.
One step to making more money in adult is being able to write a proper press release, which is a subject PR pro Erika Icon tackled in the AEVC Studio, providing guidance to attendees wanting more exposure for their brand, products and services.
Thursday’s final seminar brought together a stellar array of the adult industry’s best and brightest minds for a candid look at “The State of the Industry,” where XBIZ publisher Alec Helmy guided an insightful discussion featuring Pink Visual’s Alison Vivas along with Cybersocket’s Morgan Sommer, Evil Angel’s Christian Mann, VS Media CEO Gregory Clayman and MiKandi CEO Jesse Adams, as they explored today’s porn scene.
“This top gathering of movers and shakers epitomizes the value of this virtual event,” Helmy stated. “By eliminating concerns over travel, the virtual realm is able to unite the best minds with audiences that might not otherwise be exposed to their expert views.”?
After the learning, attendees drifted off to the featured Kink.com Hall before enjoying the Madame Bleu Sponsor Party and pursuing inter-character liaisons throughout the night.
DAY 3: Friday
Friday kicked off with attendees visiting the Featured Hall of the fabulous Alexandra Silk and Luc Wylder before heading over to attorney Greg Piccionelli’s informative session on “Crowd Funding for Virtual Worlds."
A noon session with Sexpert Tyomi Morgan brought attendees “The Art and Joy of Sex: an Educational Seminar,” in the Lecture Hall, with Morgan making use of the venue’s live video capabilities to stream her webcam feed onto the stage’s screen, showcasing the technical possibilities of the platform.
“Good sex is something you need to learn,” Morgan advised ladies, adding “Just because you have a vagina it doesn’t mean you know how to use it.”
She also used a lemon to demonstrate the proper technique for performing cunnilingus on your mate, noting that “you need great lip action and great tongue action,” before offering some tongue strengthening exercises, that many attendees will doubtless find useful.
The session was a great example of the diversity of information covered at AEVC.
Spreading the word about your offers took two paths Friday afternoon with adult PR guru Erika Icon leading performers Allison Moore, Jennifer Best and Kayla-Jane Danger in a look at “The PR Life of a Porn Star,” while adult search engine marketing expert Toayen of CyberStampede.com led a business session detailing the “PPC Best Practices for the Adult Industry,” for those interested in the pay-per-click arena.
Madam Mystique’s Hall was a featured stop for attendees as they then worked their way around the boundless virtual realm, seeking the next session.
Next, the point that porn is empowering to women was powerfully made when Anna Lee held a Q&A with adult film legend Tera Patrick, with Patrick appearing live via webcam on the Lecture Hall’s “big screen.” It was a session that underscores the range of roles that women play in today’s entertainment market and dramatically highlighted how good the AEVC experience can be, through its integration of high quality video.
It’s enough to make one wonder how to make money in virtual porn, which is a question Stephen Roche of HECS, Inc. explored in its afternoon session at the Networking Bar, “35 Ways to Make Money Now in the Adult Industry.”
For those wondering what happens after the money making is done, the Lecture Hall next too on the issue of “Life After Porn,” featuring popular performers and personalities such as Amber Lynn, Alexandra Silk, Luc Wylder and Richard Pacheco, discussing the reality of transitioning into a new opportunities beyond the business of bawdiness, with the help of the legendary Seka serving as the session’s hostess.
Friday’s final workshop featured EMDA founder Simon Blackthorn bringing a look at “BDSM around the House” to the AEVC Studio, providing attendees a few ideas for their Friday night frolics; some of which began with a visit to the featured Central Mall before the Virtual World Sponsor Party at The Shark Club.
It is a pattern that echoes the ebb and flow of the “real life” tradeshow circuit: learn and network, check out the latest offers and then hit a party — all without having to travel.
DAY 4: Saturday
On Saturday, AEVC is set to open its doors to consumers and industry alike, kicking off with top virtual working girl and XBIZ.net member Ronnie Turner, a.k.a. SaphyreRose, leading a workshop on “Taking Your Sexual Talent Virtual.”
An Erotic Visual Live Art Performance with Brent Ray Fraser will begin the afternoon, along with a fan meet and greets with adult starlet Audrey Hollander, with Kieron Ryan, Jimmy Durano, Nicole Aniston and Jessica Lapin, making appearances throughout the afternoon to welcome their fans.
Special Q&A sessions with performers Tasha Reign and Stoya, along with workshops by Kelsey Obsession on “The Art of Fetishes,” as well as Maxwell Dymes’ exploration of “Virtual Sex: The Good, Bad, and Ugly.”
AEVC 2014 culminates with The Adult Entertainment Virtual Convention Awards, hosted by Patrick Maliha and Samantha Mack, followed by an Awards After Party for all attendees seeking a last chance to experience all the virtual realm has to offer.
According to seasoned Red Light Center “working girl” (WG) SaphyreRose, this year’s convention offered a euphoric experience.
“There was a plethora of opportunities to make connections with people from the industry — from performers, webmasters, to content providers and more,” SaphyreRose told XBIZ. “This is my third year as a part of AEVC, and my third year to be honored with an AEVC WG of the Year award — and I am very thankful to Red Light Center, Adult Virtual Convention and XBIZ for affording me this opportunity.”
“I’m looking forward to making lasting connections,” SaphyreRose added, “and to do more networking with the wonderful people I’ve met at this year’s and past conventions.”
