I have it on good authority, from a friend and colleague that was there, that this past weekend’s 37th AVN Awards Show and the AEE that preceded it (Adult Entertainment Expo) were a very good time. This gathering of the porn faithful, adult stars and the people who work the business from behind-the-scenes is a one-of-a-kind see-and-be-scene that descends on Las Vegas yearly and gives Sin City a run for its pasties. I have scored press for it a few years running but as I am an east-coast guy (faithfully staying to report to all you shortandsweetnyc’ers) I have yet to be on hand when AVN comes to town.

So, I figured I’d give us all a little taste of what went down.

The AEE sees thousands of fans descend on over 400 exhibitors and vendors. This sell-a-thon/fan meet-up/industry powwow brings out about 700 adult stars. Add in the fans, friends, curious, even just Vegas-goers looking to do something other than gamble for the day, numbers swell at the AEE to over 50k. It is one of the biggest adult industry vendor/exhibition meet-ups.

The AVN award’s ceremony was held, for the last time anything will be held, at “The Joint,” at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, off the strip. This 25-year-old place for fun, gambling, and great music is closing for remodeling next month to rebranded under new ownership as Virgin Hotel. (The Willy Wonka slot machine there had been very good to me, I’ll be sad to see it go).  Co-hosted by Nikki Benz, Emily Bloom, live ‘streamed’ on AVN.com, winners, nominees, and everybody who is anybody in the adult industry took their seats Saturday night to what was described as the best AVN yet. (Don’t worry, if you didn’t happen to see any of the show, it will premier on cable sometime in the spring).

Of the 5,915 entrants to be run through for AVN award consideration:

Australian Angela White made history again by winning her third consecutive AVN Female Performer of the Year award.

Teenage Lesbian won Movie of the Year. Interestingly, this is the first time a feature film took home this high honor with no hetero sex scene in the movie.

Gianna Dior won Best New Starlet, Small Hands Male Performer of the Year (he’s married to porn star/studio head Joanna Angel, of NJ). Kayden Kross won Director of the Year and Best Director – Dramatic Production for Drive, that movie winning Best Drama as well as an additional five awards, including Maitland Ward winning a Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film. Ward also won for fan-voted Favorite Camming Cosplayer.

Natalie Mars won Transgender Performer of the Year, Favorite Trans Porn Star, and Favorite Trans Cam Star, this last another fan-voted award.

There’s always some killer music or comedy (or both) at AVN, with this year’s show including Diplo strutting his stuff on stage in his pink Western duds, and rapper Doja Cat rapped nice and naughty.

You can view all about the AVN and AEE awards and show here. Yes, it would have been fun to attend, I know. And being from the east coast, the weather in Vegas this time of year is especially nice. But alas, I was not at AVN or AEE this past weekend, and I’d have to guess, neither were you?