Las Vegas Weekly

January 19, 2012 · 3:31 PM

AVN day one: Two seminars, 20 tweets

By Lynn Comella

Shoes at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo 2012 inside the Hard Rock Hotel on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012.

Photo: Leila Navidi

When most people think of the Adult Entertainment Expo they think of porn stars on parade, and a throng of male fans vying for their autographs. And they wouldn’t be wrong; this is certainly a big part of the lively Expo scene. But it's not the whole picture.

Every year, the Expo holds a number of seminars designed for people in the industry, those who run - or who want to run - an adult-oriented business. In these seminars adult industry luminaries and power players discuss the ins-and-outs of an ever-changing industry, including zoning laws, Internet piracy, and how to use social media to grow your business and your brand.

Here’s a recap in tweets of two of yesterday’s seminars, Not In My Backyard, about zoning laws and adult businesses, and It's (Not) a Man's World, about women's experiences working in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

#aeexpo Moderator at first seminar of the day asked how many folks were at their first expo - almost all hands in room went up. Wow.

The morning's first topic: Zoning laws and adult retailing, dealing with landlords reluctant to lease spaces to adult businesses. #aeexpo

Mod asks audience if anyone has encountered issues. Man in audience: "We are in Kansas." Mod: "Say No more.” #aeexpo

Adult industry attorney: "Sometimes you want protesters, because then people know where your store is." Good point. #aeexpo

Attorney: be honest about the business you are planning. Don’t lie. Also, “don’t ever use the word porn.” #aeexpo

Attorney - in the mind of gov officials, the only words that come before "porn" are "kiddy" and "child." Language is very important. #aeexpo

Two of the first three questions from audience members are about swinger clubs. Interesting. #aeexpo

Attorney: This was not an effort to scare the hell out of you; but do your homework and understand your rights. #aeexpo #avn

Next up in 30 mins., It's (not) a man's world, women working in porn. #avn #aeexpo

The women's panel at #aeexpo #avn is all white. And blonde. Not representative of women in the industry. Bummer.

Stormy Daniels says she's had challenges transitioning from performer to director. #aeexpo #avn

Feels some people don't think she really directs her films. A reviewer praised her film bc of a great (male) camera man. #avn #aeexpo

She controls every aspect of her films. Her name is not simply slapped on her movies. #avn #aeexpo

Stormy Daniels says being a female dir. makes it easier for some women to watch porn. Challenges ideas @ female exploitation #avn #aeexpo

Says that she helps put some women's guilt about watching porn to rest. #avn #aeexpo

Great quote: "Anyone with a vagina can help make your toy better." #aeexpo #avn

Woman in audience: leading dual life, being a mom, working in the industry. Had to lie to everyone about coming to #aeexpo #avn

Theme of day so far: need for folks in adult biz to have thick skin. Repeated numerous times at both panels. #avn #aeexpo

"The minute someone smells you're not drinking your own Koolaid, you're done. Be confident in what you do." #avn #aeexpo

Stormy Daniels: before she agreed to get pregnant, she made her bf do porn, so he could never exploit this part of her life. #avn #aeexpo

For more Expo tweets, follow Lynn Comella on twitter @LynnComella

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