AEE Opening Day
Tera Patrick , Sasha Grey
The day started off with having breakfast at Denny's with Don who after a year I finally got to meet. We discussed a game plan for the day over breakfast. Denny's that morning was packed with convention goers from the CES and the AEE. Don was nice enough to point out who was who in Denny's that morning being that he has done the AEE so many times before. We made a dash to the Sands to meet up with XCritic's Chris Thorne who wanted to get shots of the ceremony.
The trio representing XCritic arrived at the Expo in time to watch the ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by Tera Patrick and company. As a first timer it wasn't much different to the retail shows I am so accustomed too. As soon as you enter, there booths from Red Light District, Wicked, Hustler Vivid, Digital Playground and Adam & Eve lined up ready for the trade and press to be greeted by them. As it was explained to me by Don the first day is " Trade Only" and it would be a mad house ones the fans got there on Thursday, which of course was very true. For it being my first time , it was like being a kid in a candy store. I was disappointed to find out that not many of the male performers aren't asked to sign as well. The few that I did come across were more than happy to take a picture with me and answer a few questions.
My first stop with Don was at the Wicked booth, from there over to Vivid where the beautiful Lanny Barbie was signing. Over on the side the girls from Vivid- Alt were signing but I didn't see any long lines like with the other booths throughout the week. From what I did noticed seems there is some sexual energy between Dana and Don, the air was so thick with it you felt the electrical charge coming from her as she looked over to Don.
Some how I managed to slip by Don and ended up wandering off on my own. I made my way through out the floor taking pictures and getting a feel of the show. I did wonder just how many of the ladies actually enjoy taking time to spend day meeting and greeting fans. Some booths gave out goodies while others didn't. I walked the showroom floor looking for a friendly face. For me I was in a man's world and made the best of it.
I made my way downstairs looking for Don and Chris and ran into Tommy Gunn who is a sweetheart in person. I spoke to Tommy for a bit and made my way to the press room and back upstairs to the showroom floor.
As the afternoon progressed got ready for my back to back interviews with the girls from Digital Playground which was from 2:30 till 6. I had a great time with them Joone and Adella made sure that everything went along smoothly. I sat in on an interview Don was doing with Robby D before hand. The show remind me so much of one of the biggest trade shows held in NY, so I basically felt I was back in the thick of things. I understood all the man hour put in to get ready, making sure all the press releases are out, all those good things that comes with a week of no sleep and catering to the public and fans.
Once I was done I headed back to the room and grabbed something to eat and crashed for a bit before going back out to meet up with Don and G for drinks Megan from Shane's World, XCritic's Nate , Casey Parker, Delilah, Johan, Justice and Daniel. All in all a very long day but fun in the same token.