Every year, members of the adult entertainment industry gather to share information, debut new products and do business at a large convention. The 2009 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo (presented by AVN magazine, the premier trade magazine of the adult entertainment industry) took place January 8 – 11 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As in years past, the largest gathering of the adult entertainment industry coincided with the largest gathering for tech enthusiasts—the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). As CES wrapped up on Friday, the AVN show began… and in the same venue, no less.

Actually, it’s no coincidence, as the AAE used to be part of the CES — appropriate when you consider all the new technologies that enhance adult entertainment. Some people even say the porn industry drives new technology, using the VHS v. Betamax battle of the 80s as a prime example.

With 350 exhibitors packed into two large exhibit halls at the AAE, there was plenty to see for industry members and fans alike. The show is open to trade and media only on Thursday and Friday, and to fans, enthusiasts and curious onlookers over the weekend. A series of panels for fans educated attendees on everything from using sex toys to joining the industry as a producer, director—even a star!

Of course, a highlight of the show each year is the live talent signing autographs for fans. Sasha Grey and Jesse Jane of Digital Playground’s Pirates II: Stagnetti’s Revenge were onhand, along with Tera Patrick, Eva Angelina and, oh, about 250 other sexy performers, male and female.

The AAE and Las Vegas was also home to the 2009 AVN Awards, hosted by Belladonna and Jenna Haze. Click here to see a complete list of this year’s winners in every category of porn.

Various sources mentioned a slow-down of business this year due to the economy, with some major companies scaling down their presence and some smaller companies skipping the show altogether. The AVN reported an 18 percent drop in exhibitor attendance, according to this article on Variety.com.

Mind you, there wasn’t enough of a drop to require a government bailout or anything, but according to some observers, giveaways were also scarce this year.

The adult toy industry, however, continues to thrive, with many manufacturers and retailers filling the exhibit hall with all manner of dildos, vibes, battery-operated or hand-powered devices.

We talked about hot technology products available here at Vibrator.com in this post. This year, the buzz (so to speak) on the show floor at the AAE centered around products like the Real Touch, a life-like masturbator (complete with that warm, moist feeling) synced with a video. The ohMiBod, a wireless vibe that hooks up to your MP3 and pulsates in rhythm with your choice of tunes, continues to evoke oohs and aahs. More lifelike images (and feelings); music, music, music; and a more customized, realistic experience are the trends in porn toys this year.

As far as visual quality, however, most of the manufacturers are moving away from HD. The trend seems to be toward convenience over quality, with movies from Digital Playground and other major production companies available for download on the iPhone or iPod Touch. (Hmm… downloading adult vids to your Touch gives whole new meaning to the name of that handy device!) This, in spite of the fact that Apple remains steadfast in not allowing porn apps for the iPhone / iPod… Porn on the go? On demand? With or without Apple’s blessing, people will find a way.

Speaking of visuals, what’s a write-up of the AAE without pix, right? Here are some places to find all the T&A and famous faces you may have missed. With the Internet at our fingertips, who says anything has to “stay in Vegas?”

http://www.lasvegasvegas.com/2009/01/avn_2009_las_vegas_adult_enter.php
http://g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/blog/post/692668/Pictures-From-AEE-2009.html

For more information about the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo or to look into attending next year’s show at the Sands Expo Center January 7 – 10, 2010, go to www.adultentertainmentexpo.com.

I’m sitting here watching Lifetime’s The Secret Lives of Women. It is about swingers. Last week’s episode focused on prostitution. In the beginning of January, G4’s Attack of the Show team covered the Adult Entertainment Expo for the second year running, showcasing products such as the Boob bong on the air during prime time. Is porn really going mainstream?

My personal and professional opinion as an astute member of the media—both mainstream and erotic? Yes. And it has been for some time.

Is this a bad thing? Not for the millions of “mainstream” men and women looking to add some excitement into their love lives. I’m sure for every couple who might shake their heads in disgust – or at least say “not for me”—if they came across the Secret Lives of Women while channel surfing one night, just as many would be intrigued. They might not be ready to place an ad on Craigslist to find another couple to play with or call up her best friend for a ménage a trois, but the idea might spark an interesting conversation about fantasies and boundaries.

The trend has been going on for quite some time. We have multiple modern-day examples. My Bare Lady, a FOX series, focused on blossoming porn stars trying to make it big. The next year, Ron Jeremy was one of the stars in The Surreal Life.

More recently, the Sex and the City movie showed full frontal male nudity and still garnered a mere “R” rating. Years before, Carrie Bradshaw made talk of Rabbit vibes acceptable at the office water cooler. And let’s face it… the Internet makes porn accessible to anyone with a computer, Internet connection, and two fingers to type “tits” or “pussy.”

But the mainstreaming of porn pre-dates reality T.V. and the Internet, and a new exhibit at the World of Wonder’s storefront gallery in L.A. drives home the point. The exhibit “All-American Porn: 25 Years of Erotic Photography from Vivid Entertainment” opens February 14 with a Valentine’s Day cocktail party from 7PM – 11PM. Guests will be able to meet Vivid Girls and also enjoy a screening of excerpts from “Deeper Throat,” Vivid’s third premium cable TV series which debuts that evening.

On February 19, a free panel discussion hosted by World of Wonder co-founder Fenton Bailey explores topics such as: How Vivid became the world’s top adult studio offered by the company’s co-founder and co-chairman Steven Hirsch; How to direct an adult movie, presented by legendary director Paul Thomas; and What it takes to be an adult superstar with inside tips from Vivid Girls.

Vivid was the first company to bring porn into the mainstream, creating adult films with high product values and turning the performers into “stars” with the creation of the Vivid Girls. Since “Ginger” starring Ginger Lynn was released in 1984, the face of porn—at least as far as adult films went—changed. Explicit images on the front of VHS tapes gave way to artful photography of gorgeous women that—you guessed it—had mainstream appeal. Years later, Vivid was the first production company to offer titles targeted to couples.

So you could say porn’s been “mainstream” for more than a quarter of a century. But  what I find so ironic is that people who enjoy sex are not—and never were—freaks! In fact, I don’t think there’s anything not mainstream about buying a vibrator or reading a sex blog.

Although I write for Vibrator.com, love shopping for sex toys, and have had a few experiences swinging, I consider myself to be pretty “mainstream.” In a lot of ways, my love for science fiction is more “fringe” than my healthy sexual appetite. (Yes, another confession from Desiree Sweet: I’m a closet Trekkie!)

As a group, Americans have always been more conservative about sex and nudity than, say, Europeans. Maybe we’re just now catching up to the rest of the world.

What do you think? Is porn getting more and more mainstream or are Americans—perhaps with the exception of Facebook—just getting less uptight?

Everything is e-this, i-that… iPod, iPhone, iVibe. High-tech is in, and it’s not going away.

Doc Johnson, a leader in sex toys, brings high-tech into the bedroom with the colorful iVibe line of powerful vibrators. But Doc isn’t the only one on the high-tech train to orgasmic delight. Straight from the recent Adult Entertainment Expo ’08, we have some of the year’s most innovative toys.

Vibro Pod Digital Music Stimulator – That’s right, rock, roll, and buzz along with your favorite tunes. This next gen vibe from California Exotics lets you hook up your iPod to the controller and enjoy vibrating, pulsating action of the powerful egg-shaped vibe in time with your favorite music.

Cal Exotics’ Vibra Phone - iPhone for uPorn discussed getting porn delivered straight to your cell phone. But what about a cell phone look-a-like that can deliver powerful vibrations to your—well, you know?

At a glance, the Vibra Phone looks like the real thing. There’s no keypad, but if it falls out of your purse, you don’t have to blush in embarrassment.

Reviewers from G4 Network’s Attack of the Show said the vibrations weren’t all that powerful, and the shape seems a bit awkward. But the price is right and this nifty gadget is just too cool to pass up. You can’t beat the convenience for a little lunchtime tryst or an extended…bathroom…break.

Wireless Remote Egg - Wireless remote control vibes are hard to find. Although it’s not brand spankin’ new, we had to put the Wireless Remote Egg from Doc Johnson on the list. The vibrating egg is super comfortable, big enough to hit all the right spots and stay in place all day.

The wireless controller is smaller than the palm of your hand. All this convenience, with 7 functions of vibration and escalation, this toy is sure to make your next dinner date even more exciting. We doubt you’ll make it to dessert!

Wireless Vibrating Panties - We searched long and hard to find these wireless remote control vibrating panties. Let’s face it, having wires trailing from your pants just isn’t convenient—or all that sexy. The tiny, yet powerful, bullet vibe works magic all day long, and you can keep the wireless remote in your own pocket or share it with a lover.

Dream Duet - Rabbit vibes are nothing new, but we love the idea of dual vibes, attached at the base for double the pleasure! With separate control pads on each vibe, you can use each one independently, or lock them together for fun with a friend. Best of all, you get multiple functions of vibration, escalation, and reversible rotating pearls on the shaft!

It will take some creative positioning for both partners to enjoy the Rabbits together, but it’s worth it!

Remember, there’s more than one way to use a Rabbit. For even more couples-fun, try a rabbit vibe attached to a harness.

Since their inception, multi-function rabbit vibes have been considered cutting-edge vibrator technology. Even today, these powerful, versatile love machines don’t have many rivals. Sometimes you just can’t beat a classic!