By Erika Icon

YNOT – AVN’s annual Adult Entertainment Expo and Adult Novelty Expo began Wednesday in Las Vegas, offering members of the trade exclusive access to the show floor, seminars and workshops ahead of the fan crush expected later in the week. A plethora of adult companies, including studios and toy manufacturers, along with several top-tier performers welcomed attendees to the off-Strip Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for the second consecutive year.

Seminars started early, shedding light on marketing, multimedia and how performers can augment their income when they’re not filming. The seminar called “The Importance of PR and Marketing” played to a packed house. PR professionals Kristen Tibby of Pleasure Chest, Masque President Michael Guilfoyle, YNOT Vice President Jay Kopita, Brian Gross of BSG PR and Erika Icon of The Rub PR composed the panel, which was moderated by Hodder Media founder Ann Hodder. Panelists agreed that even in slow economic times — maybe especially then — public relations is integral to the success of any commercial endeavor. They also stressed the importance of communication with clients, vendors and consumers; what a publicist or marketing professional should offer, and how to measure the performance of a campaign.

Meanwhile, on the show floor, startup Munkey Barz displayed its first product: “love handles” that provide an extra grip during acrobatic sexual maneuvers. The company’s large booth featured a DJ and pole-dancers who incorporated Munkey Barz belts into their routines. TS newcomer Venus Lux signed and greeted the trade.

Smash Pictures also erected a gigantic booth with multiple TV screens playing loops of the studio’s sex scenes. A bevy of beauties including veteran Lisa Ann and stunning newcomer Presley Hart helped Smash owner Stuart Wall hold court.

Industry icon Rebecca Bardoux held down the fort in the Biker Lube booth, along with owner David Hagan and rising starlet Mia Gold. Bardoux is Biker Lube’s new marketing-and-media chief. Whether the company’s floggers, lube or butt plugs generated the most attention is anyone’s guess, but industry notables fetish director Jimmy Broadway, performer Kiki D’Aire, internet veteran Jason “XXX Jay” Quinlan and performer Penny Pax spent time admiring the wares.

The bustling first day ended with a mixture of video and internet folks heading to the Pink Taco for happy hour. AEE always have been a great place to renew old acquaintances and make new contacts.

AEE and ANE run through Saturday. The AVN Awards, sometimes called the Oscars of Porn, take place Saturday night.

[SIZE=1]Image: YNOT Group Vice President Jay Kopita, left, was among the panelists for a seminar addressing public relations and marketing.[/SIZE]