Only in Sin City could a gala like this take place…
Last week we introduced you to the AVN (Adult Video News) Awards and Trade Expo. We attended a few ceremonies and a Red Carpet procession for the gay sub-genre of activities. Today we’re headed to the mainstream AVN and ANE expos, where adult performers mingle with fans, and product representatives display their latest in sex toys and products. Shall we begin?
The AVN trade show kicked off on January 24th at noon. Fans lined up early outside Resorts World‘s expo center to secure their place and get the first peeks. This writer headed to the second level to secure his media credentials, then entered the Perdana Ballroom for the 2024 ANE Pleasure Product Expo.
The ANE Pleasure Product Expo is relatively small. It’s geared strictly towards industry professionals, be they buyers or sellers. Exhibits, lectures, networking, and marketing all come into play (no pun intended). Vendors demonstrate their wares and present the latest in products and breakthroughs. Only qualified industry members may attend this trade show, but VEGAS 411 was able to tour it for our readers.
Big hitters in this industry include ANEROS, DEMON KAT, BATHMATE, LOVENSE, and HONEY Play Box. Our first stop was KLEAN FREAK, a line of personal hygiene wipes. Described as “a shower in your pocket”, KLEAN FREAK products are handy for post-workout refreshing and afternoon liaison bounceback. They are manufactured from sustainable materials, are harsh on bacteria, kind to the skin, and come in various natural scents.
Getting into the nitty gritty, our next stop was a presentation by Mr. Brent Aldon for ANEROS. Aldon is the Director of Sales and Marketing for the sexual health and wellness brand, which produces self-stimulation devices and related products. Recognized as the world leader in male prostate stimulators, the ANEROS line continues to rack up awards for its innovation and design breakthroughs.
Brent Aldon (left) with Operations Manager Malay Vannouvong
Mr. Aldon and his team were excited to promote their latest, which will become available on March 1st. The PSY is Aneros’ first-ever adjustable prostate device. It is the culmination of several years of research and development, based on requests and feedback from ANEROS customers.
Aldon told me that “the PSY takes its name from “psyche”, the ancient Greek word for butterfly, one of nature’s wonders that has long symbolized freedom, transformation, beauty, and love.” He said that it “follows the legacy of much of Aneros’ early product development, originally inspired by nature.” Customer requests also resulted in Sessions Gel lubricant, an ultra-thick water-based gel. You can learn more about ANEROS products here.
Heading from booth to booth, we encountered lifelike artificial partners, devices for couples, massage gels, intimate wear, bondage accessories, lubricants, and even “love gummies”. One vendor pointed us in the direction of Elliot Schwartz, President of NASSTOYS. This New York-based firm has been around for forty years and produces over 1,200 items.
Elliot Schwartz at 2024 ANE Expo
Mr. Schwartz was engaged with another vendor during our visit, so we didn’t get the chance to speak with him. The innovative entrepreneur founded NASSTOYS in 1978 with partner Teddy Rothstein. Schwartz was awarded with “Chief Executive of the Year” in 2022 by XBIZ.
This year’s ANE Expo was capped off with the “O Awards“. Held on January 26th at 9 pm, it celebrated the best of the best from the pleasure products segment of the adult industry. You can access a complete list of this year’s nominees right here, and the big winners here.
After the ANE exhibits, it was time to head to Resorts World’s Expo Center for the big AVN Adult Entertainment Expo. Held inside a large climate-controlled “tent”, the AVN Expo draws thousands of fans every year. They line up for several hours before opening to get a first glimpse of their favorite adult entertainment stars.
As mentioned in part one, a section of the AVN Adult Expo was designed to appeal primarily to the LGBTQ demographic. Designated as “The Village”, this corridor featured gay porn stars, products, and promotions. Several local dancers were on hand as go-go guys, including performers from Chippendales and Cirque du Soleil.
Lectures and presentations are part of the full Adult Expo experience. The event collectively boasts the participation of three thousand adult stars, ranging from beefy Aaron Trainer to buxom Zoey Fox. Diehard fans purchased advance premium ticket packages that allowed them to access VIP parties and the biggest event of all – the 2024 AVN Awards.
Held on the evening of January 27th, the AVN Awards drew thousands, who filled Resorts World‘s casino and corridors. VEGAS 411 was unable to attend the ceremony but was on hand to document the astonishing parade of attendees. People from seemingly all walks of life were dressed up, dressed down, and barely dressed…all the better to heighten the provocative spirit of the evening.
Much like the GayVN Awards two nights previous, the AVN Awards got off to a bit of a late start. Presented by MyFreeCams.com, the ceremony is billed as “the premier gala of adult video and recognizes titles, individuals, and companies for contributions to – and excellence in – the industry.”
Photo via AVN.com
Adult film celebrities Luna Star, Emily Lynne, and Kazumi co-hosted the 41st annual ceremony along with comedian Lil Duval. The list of 2024 winners is available by heading here.
And there you have it…our VEGAS 411 comprehensive round-up for the 2024 AVNs. The entire experience will undoubtedly return in 2025. You can check on upcoming date announcements by visiting the official AVN Adult Entertainment Expo website.
Photos/video by VEGAS 411 except where noted
