CES, porn expo sharing the Vegas stage

By Melissa Arseniuk

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 | 12:30 p.m.

Two very different trade shows are coming to town this week that share an undeniably strong and common bond: the Internet.

And as luck would have it, this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the annual Adult Entertainment Expo (AEE) run right on top of one another: CES takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, from Thursday to Sunday and AEE runs from Friday through Sunday.

The odd couple of tradeshows even shares a venue: While most of CES takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, certain aspects of the show will, coincidentally enough, be showcased at the Sands Expo Center – which is the same building that hosts AEE.

Nerds and porn go together like peanut butter and jelly in this increasingly digital world; neither would be what it is today if it weren’t for the Web.

Regardless of what they use the Internet for or why they love high-def TVs, convention-goers to both shows are expected to shift gears, from tradeshow floor to dance floor, after the exhibition hall doors close at night.

Indeed, when the convention days end the parties will begin.

Despite sluggish sales, a weakening economy, and lower-than-last-year numbers expected at both shows, a wide assortment of happy hours, ballroom fetes, and all-out blow-outs are about to take place.

Unfortunately, most of the CES parties are like the show itself: Closed to the public. But most of the AEE parties are open to anyone – as long as party people pay cover, that is.

While CES starts off strong, the tech party set comes to a soft close, with just a pair of house parties (that aren’t even worth mentioning, never mind attending) on Saturday night. It seems even the geekiest CES party planners know there is no competing with the AVN Adult Movie Awards, which will take place over at Mandalay Bay on Jan. 10.

Here is a sampling of what are expected to be among the biggest and best CES and AEE-related parties.

Wednesday:

- The 60th annual Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards. This is the third year the awards will be handed out at CES and the ceremony will be held at the Venetian in Lido Ballroom 3101 at 7 p.m.

- TechZone, Futurelooks and Techware Labs’s “Night Before CES Party,” sponsored by Redux and Gigabyte. The exclusive invite-only soirée kicks off at 8 p.m. in a Palms Place penthouse and, according to the TechZone Web site, is “way overbooked … so if you’re not on the invite list, please don’t try to crash it.”

Thursday:

- Filter Creative Group and Vtech’s CES party at Beauty Bar. It's one of the few open (and fun-sounding) CES-related parties. Not only that, it's free to get in and there will be a hosted bar from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. RSVP via http://www.uptheantics.com/ces.

- G4TV’s “Best of the Best” CES party from 6 until 7:30 p.m. at the Wynn’s in the “Latour” ballroom. Invite only.

- Skype’s “Blue is the New Black” party from 7 until 10 p.m. at Privé. It, too, is closed to the public.

- The first of two official AEE happy hours at Lavo. The $30 cover charge includes the chance to chat with hostess Tera Patrick, in addition to a free cocktail, a copy of Patrick’s latest DVD, and an autograph. The event runs from 5:30 until 7 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday.

- The first ever Global Media Awards at the Venetian’s “Bellini” ballroom. Nominees include CBS, NBC, FOX, BBC, Warner Brothers, YouTube, Sundance, Discovery, DIRECTV, BBDO, McCann Erikson, Bravo, MTV, Disney, The New York Times, Starz, Wieden + Kennedy, Ogilvy, ESPN, Sony, Turner, NASCAR, HSN and Scripps. Will.I.Am of the Black Eyed Peas – who is nominated for his campaign video in support of president-elect Barack Obama – will be there, but you won’t, unless you shell out some major dough for a ticket. “Discounted” passes for CES attendees start at $400. Our advice: If you go, go when the doors open, at 6 p.m., to take full advantage of the open bar before the awards start at 7 p.m.

Friday:

- Bloggerpalooza, a.k.a. the “It won’t stay in Vegas” blogger party, at the Atomic Testing Museum from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. It is a closed event so if you don’t have an in, go complain about it on your blog.

- The official pre-AVN party at Pure. For the price of cover, organizers promise partiers the chance to mingle with porn stars and dance the night away. It’s an all-new take on “Boogie Nights.”

- Intel and PC.com’s CES party at LAX. It's for invited guests only. Brooke Burke will host the soirée and the Counting Crows will perform. (Editor's note: This item has been corrected. An earlier version said the party was open.)

- Porn starlets Gina Lynn and Randi Wright co-host a night of fun at Hawaiian Tropic Zone starting at 10 p.m. In addition to the duo, all ladies will enjoy an hour of free Lotus vodka cocktails, from 11 p.m. until the clock strikes midnight.

- Monster Cable’s Dealer Awards and Concert with the Queen of Motown herself, Diana Ross. The show is being held at Paris but no tickets are being sold: Only specially invited guests will get to take in the awards, which begin at 7 p.m., with Ross’ performance at 9 p.m.

- The first annual “Porn Star Ball” at Tao, hosted by tattooed guitarist Dave Navarro and the unofficial hardest working party hostess during this year’s AEE, Tera Patrick. Doors at 10 p.m., VIP arrivals at 11:30 p.m. and cover charge applies.

Saturday:

- The official Adult Movie Awards afterparty at LAX, complete with appearances by awards show co-hosts, Jenna Haze and Belladonna. The party will begin after the show lets out, around 10:30 p.m. Cover charge applies.

- Stormy Daniels’ unsanctioned post-AVN Awards party at Tao. Doors at 9:30 p.m., Daniels and friends are expected sometime after 11 p.m., and the usual cover charge applies.

- AEE’s official closing party at Sapphire. Adult film star Devon will host the send-off, which gets underway at 10 p.m., and cover charge applies.

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Complete Schedule:

Wednesday:

- The 60th annual Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards at the Venetian. 7 p.m.

- Pepcom Digital Experience at the Mirage. 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

- TechZone, Futurelooks and Techware Labs’s “Night Before CES Party,” sponsored by Redux and Gigabyte at Palms Place. 8 p.m., invite only.

Thursday:

- G4TV’s “Best of the Best” CES party at the Wynn. 6 – 7:30 p.m., invite only.

- Skype’s “Blue is the New Black” party at Privé. 7 – 10 p.m., invite only.

- Official AEE happy hour with Tera Patrick at Lavo. 5:30 – 7 p.m., $30.

- Global Media Awards at the Venetian. 6 p.m., $400-plus.

- AEE’s official opening at Sapphire. 10 p.m., cover.

- CNet’s CES party at Simon at the Palms. 9 p.m. - midnight, invite only.

- Support.com’s third annual Rat Pack Party at the Bellagio. 6 -9:30 p.m., invite only.

- Filter Creative Group and Vtech’s CES party at Beauty Bar. 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. with hosted bar, free for those who RSVP via http://www.uptheantics.com/ces.

Friday:

- The “It won’t stay in Vegas” blogger party at the Atomic Testing Museum. 5 – 8 p.m., invite only.

- The official pre-AVN party at Pure. 10:30 p.m., cover.

- The Hideka Honeywell Party at the Golden Nugget. 4:30 - 8:30 p.m., invite only.

- Official AEE happy hour with Tera Patrick at Lavo. 5:30-7 p.m., $30.

- TWICE China’s 2009 Top Brands from China Awards at the Venetian. 5 – 7 p.m., invite only.

- Intel and PC.com’s CES party at LAX hosted by Brooke Burke, featuring the Counting Crows. 7:30 - 11 p.m., invite only.

- Gina Lynn and Randi Wright co-host at Hawaiian Tropic Zone. 10 p.m., cover.

- CEA Digital Imaging Division Reception at CES. 5:30 – 7 p.m., invite only.

- Bluetooth SIG dinner at Tao. 5:30 – 8 p.m., invite only.

- Canada Night at Caesar’s Palace. 6 p.m., invite only.

- AEE afterparty at Sapphire with Angelina Valentine. 10 p.m., cover.

- Monster Cable’s Dealer Awards and Concert at Paris featuring Diana Ross. 7 p.m., invite only.

- The “Porn Star Ball” at Tao, hosted by Dave Navarro and Tera Patrick. 10 p.m., cover.

- D-Link party at Tao. 7 – 10 p.m., invite only.

- Vivid Entertainment's 25th anniversary gala and AEE party at Tabu. 11 p.m. - 2 a.m., cover.

- Resident Evil 5 cocktail reception at Planet Hollywood. 10 p.m., invite only.

Saturday:

- The official Adult Movie Awards afterparty at LAX with awards show co-hosts Jenna Haze and Belladonna. 10 p.m., cover.

- Stormy Daniels’ post-AVN Awards party at Tao. 10 p.m., cover.

- AEE’s official closing party at Sapphire with adult film star Devon. 10 p.m., cover.

- Vivid Entertainment’s unofficial AEE afterparty with Tera Patrick at Lavo. 10 p.m., cover.

- CES-themed Economic Stimulus party at the residence of Michael Terpin and Maxine Hopkinson. 6:30 – 10 p.m., RSVP required.

- Xtremesystems.org party on Oquendo Dr. near Decatur.