Adult Entertainment Expo, products are going beyond porn
A soldier serving overseas can experience some intimate contact with a spouse or partner thanks to emerging technology that is crossing the boundary between kinky sex toy and mainstream consumer product.
The development of those types of products has spurred growth of the Adult Entertainment Expo, which is wrapping up a four-day run today at the Hard Rock Hotel.
More than 30,000 people are attending the event that has expanded beyond its roots as a showcase for filmmakers and photo ops for fans of porn stars.
The meet-and-greets haven’t waned — in fact, they’re still the centerpiece of the event, one of the rare Las Vegas conventions and trade shows that isn’t industry exclusive and invites the public to have a look.
Among the largest growth sectors of the event are the products on display at the show’s AVN Novelty Expo.
“The whole show has expanded, especially in the novelty-related items,” said Sherri L. Shaulis, senior editor of pleasure products for the AVN Media Network. “It’s reached out beyond porn.”
Among the more than 50 displays at the Novelty Expo are products that attendees wouldn’t be ashamed to take home their mom.
“We’re seeing more things to enhance your life, promote sexual wellness and create intimacy,” Shaulis said.
Las Vegas resident Keoki Moore was showing an electronic pulse massager in his booth.
The Eliking TENS, for transelectrical neurological stimulator, is about the size of an iPod with wired massage pad electrodes that emit pulses for deep massage of muscles and joints.
Designed as a product to eliminate moderate pain, show attendees have discovered that the prickly shocks generated by the device can be used to stimulate sexual pleasure.
Moore, who learned of the latter use, decided to give exhibiting at the show a try although he said he’s had more success at more conventional trade shows.
Emily Davis of Amarillo, Texas, chose the show to debut a new product — the Fun Rocker, a sturdy T-shaped air-filled vinyl reinforced air mattress that easily inflates and deflates for quick storage.
Marketed as “the sex furniture that bounces,” the Fun Rocker has four restraint cuffs and is designed to promote intimacy.
Although far from mainstream, New York-based Say It With a Condom was a show hit as a conversation starter.
Damien Charles said the company is promoting condom packaging with product enclosed that substitutes as a business card.
Charles said condom packages also are being used as socially responsible messaging about consent.
“We’re working with several colleges with a social awareness message,” Charles said.
Among the package messages offered by Say It With a Condom are “Consent is asking every time,” “Consent is hot, assault is not” and “My dress does not mean yes.”
AVN’s Shaulis said technology is driving products that will focus on intimate contact with sales beyond the adult novelty store.
A product that will be pitched to military families is one of the many novelties involving smart appliance products controlled by apps.
“You download an app to a smartphone and the user controls the use of a vibrator that the partner has,” Shaulis said. “He’s controlling her pleasure.”
Shaulis acknowledged the product is no substitute for physical closeness.
“But it is a means of being close while on opposite sides of the world,” she said.
“With all the men and women who serve overseas, this is a way to keep that intimate contact.”
Contact reporter Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter.
