Originally Posted by RawAlex

I want to add something into the discussion here: The other side of the coin.

Let's start with some basic facts: Most other industries have trade shows that charge anywhere from $400 - $5000 for 2 or 3 days. Most trade shows operated by AVN in the past (and by other companies) that charge a fee have been subject to moochers.

Moochers?

Yup. Those are the people who come to an event city, stay at a nearby hotel, hang out in the show lobby, show bar, and show parties, but never once actually contribute to the show by buying a badge.

Want to see it in action? Do you remember Internext vegas 2005? You know, where it was almost impossible to get a badge? Well, that long hallway leading up to the show became moocher's land. You could stay there, see all the people you wanted to see, and not pay AVN a cent. Most of us, because of contacts, friends, whatever, could get into the cool parties and not have to worry too much about what all else was going on.

In theory, net $300 saved.

But moochers have a long term effect on shows and show floors. As less people buy badges, and as less people attend the official stuff (and instead just party with thier buds who happen to be in town for a show) the actually value of that show floor drops like a rock.

That in turn limits the value of the floor, which discourages companies from taking space the next time, which lowers the... anyway, you know how things can spiral down.

AVN is trying to take a stand against this in Florida... at least to the point where people will not be able to sit at the doors of the show, in the lobby, and at the bar, mooching off the show without ever being part of it. We get a whole hotel take over (which I assume means that "rules" will be more relaxed this year) and the only people who truly lose in the game are the moochers. Let me tell you too, some of the higher profile people in this industry have mooched both Vegas and Miami shows in the past. Some of them even using previous year's badged as cover for their mooching.

I love you all, but geez, come on. That's like plastic bling - it looks good until someone catches you with it.

AVN has basically expanded the show area to cover all the areas that use to be moocher havens, and now you have to pay to have access. If your a real player (or even a fake one) $300 ain't gonna kill ya.

I feel sorry for the people bringing girls to the show as decoration, but honestly, how do you draw the line? A amateur girl running her own site, hanging out at the LENZ.COM booth (trying not to use names) - is she a bunny or a webmaster? What if she wears a bikini in the booth? Bunny or webmaster? The extreme ends are easy to see, but the middle grey is very difficult indeed.

If it is a sausagefest, well, then that is what it is. It truly isn't hard to find entertainment in south florida.