This week, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas hosts AEE (Adult Entertainment Expo), the infamous annual porn convention, and the AVN Awards (the Oscars of Porn). I’m Casey Calvert, porn star, adult industry veteran, and, for the next 1,000 words, your tour guide. I’m sure the words “porn convention” conjure all sorts of colorful images in your mind. Being part of the convention, rather than attending it, is a very different experience. Let me show you what it’s like from our side.
The AEE show floor. Photo Credit: Koga/LAist.
1. It’s Exhausting
We get up early every day, do hair and makeup, get dressed, and put on crazy high heels that hurt almost immediately. Then it’s off to the convention floor to STAND all day signing for fans and doing interviews, trying not to complain about our feet. At night, after a wardrobe change, we have red carpet obligations and party appearances, most of the time more than one a night. And did I mention the feet?
2. It’s Expensive
The days where every girl was paid to be here are long gone. Most of us are out of pocket. That’s hotel, hair and makeup, signing outfits (because we can’t repeat anything), signing materials (like DVDs and 8x10s), party outfits (again, can’t repeat anything), and the gown for AVN (god forbid you wear something you wore to a previous show). I personally make it a goal to not buy any of my own booze here – my one ounce of frugality.
3. You Can Tell A Lot From How Someone Is Dressed
I’m talking about the girls here. The ones dressed with as little or as revealing clothes as possible are either a) brand new and looking for that kind of attention, b) been around forever and looking for that kind of attention, c) getting paid to dress like that by a company, or d) an escort trying to look like a porn star to get work. The rest of us… Well, you’re lucky to get the heels I previously mentioned out of me.
Penny Pax looking cute while signing at AEE. Credit: Penny Pax
4. We Do Actually Want To Meet You, But…
One of the main reasons why we all make this pilgrimage is to meet our fans. We enjoy interacting with you. Tell us what you like about us, tell us your favorite movies, etc. But please be polite. Don’t wait in our signing line and then ask, “Who are you?” If you have a bunch of photos for us to sign that are plainly for selling on eBay, compensate us. And just because you’ve seen us naked on the internet doesn’t give you permission to touch. Ask first.
5. Fan Shoulder Is Real
By the end of a long day signing, we have “fan shoulder” – that one stale spot where all the armpits rested from all the fan photos. Nobody likes fan shoulder. Take a shower.
6. It’s Not Just A Boys’ Club, Lots Of Women Come Too
Yes, most of the attendees at the expo are men, but lots of women come too. We love our lady fans.
Epic day 1 pic.twitter.com/32miX5r9GG
— DANI DANIELS (@MissDaniDaniels) January 21, 2016
7. It’s Not Just A Big Party
Besides all the porny goodness, you can actually learn a few things at AEE. This year, for example, sex educator and Wicked Pictures contract girl jessica drake is hosting three days of sex positive seminars.
Jessica Drake hosting a sex education seminar. Photo Credit: Koga/LAist
8. The Awards Show Is Kinda A Big Deal, Sorta
For a lot of us, the awards show is our one night a year to feel like real movie stars, so we take it. We soak up on the spotlight on the red carpet, and who doesn’t enjoy a shiny trophy for a year’s hard work? The girls who make the biggest deal about it are those up for Best New Starlet. Frankly, it’s the most sought after award, because you only have one shot at it. And this is those girls’ first show, and everything is still so shiny and new.
Last year’s Best New Starlet nominees. Photo Credit: Koga/LAist
9. The Real Action Is At The Circle Bar
There’s a big round bar in the center of the Hard Rock called the Circle Bar. If you want to see a spectacle – drunk girls falling over, or a fist fight, perhaps – head there.
10. Some Of Us Don’t Love Las Vegas
For you, Vegas is that awesome place where you come to relax or to party. Vegas for me (and my peers that aren’t so into the partying thing) will always be that place where AEE and AVN are. I hear there are some cool shows and amazing restaurants here. I’ve never been.
Photo Credit: CaseyCalvert.com
Casey Calvert is an adult entertainment performer known for her work pushing the boundaries of BDSM. When she’s not having sex, she’s writing in 140 characters or less on her Twitter page, @CaseyCalvertXXX, or for outlets like CraveOnline and The Huffington Post. She has an essay published in the book Coming Out Like a Porn Star: Essays on Pornography, Protection, and Privacy, and she writes a monthly blog for GameLink.com, where she serves as the site’s official BDSM & Fetish Expert. You can see more of Casey on the extremely NSFW site CaseyCalvert.com.
