LOS ANGELES — A stellar array of speakers will bring an A-list level of experience to the “State of the Industry” session at the 2013 Adult Entertainment Virtual Convention and Awards, presented by Utherverse’s Red Light Center.
Set to take the virtual stage are Free Speech Coalition CEO Diane Duke, along with adult industry attorney and intellectual property expert Greg Piccionelli, Wasteland chief Colin Rowntree and Utherverse CEO Brian Shuster. XBIZ Founder and President Alec Helmy will moderate the online event, which is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m. PST.
According to the event’s producers, the second annual Adult Entertainment Virtual Convention (AEVC) has been in the planning process since the conclusion of the highly successful 2012 show — with an ambitious four-day event planned for 2013 — where thousands of adult industry professionals, enthusiasts and fans will gather together in a 3D virtual environment for this low cost, no travel show that promises to be bigger and better than last year.
“I was quite fortunate to be able to participate in last year’s Adult Virtual Conference — it was informative, an excellent use of time and fun!” Duke told XBIZ. “I am honored to join the distinguished panelists for this year’s virtual ‘State of the Industry’ panel.”
Duke is not the only AEVC veteran making a return appearance.
“I am delighted to be back at AEVC again this year as both a moderator, and as a virtual speaker on the ‘State of the Industry’ panel,” Rowntree added. “It’s a great lineup of speakers, and this 3D virtual format is a great venue for frank and on-point discussions between us.”
The panelist’s perennial analysis of the adult entertainment scene across many market segments make them uniquely qualified to provide a comprehensive snapshot of changes underway within the industry, as well as its likely near-term direction.
“The adult entertainment business is being reshaped by powerful technological and social forces that are inexorably moving its gravitational center from a recorded content business to a live content business [and] the legal and economic impact of this seismic shift will be profound,” Piccionelli explained. “What better way to discuss the important issues involved in this transition than as my Utherverse attorney avatar?”
Attendees participate via highly customizable avatars that navigate and interact in the realistic virtual world. Audio, video and chat capabilities — as well as sex — add to the immersive nature of the event, whose technology must be experienced to be truly appreciated.
“From politics to legal issues, from the production environment to the impact of emerging technologies, this group of distinguished panelists will provide insights into where our industry is — and where it is heading — in 2013 and beyond,” Helmy stated. “Anyone involved in the industry will likely draw invaluable inspiration from this session. I'm very much looking forward to this year’s AEVC.”
Running daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST, this year’s AEVC will kick off the show with “industry only” days on Feb. 20-21, as a way to provide all sponsors and exhibitors with a chance to network and forge new business relationships with other adult business owners and operators. The AEVC show floor will open to the public on February 21 and remain open until the closing party wraps up on Feb. 23.
For further information, visit the event’s website.
