Annual Gentlemen’s Club EXPO brings the industry together at Hard Rock Vegas
Held August 19-22, the 26th Annual ED Expo also boasted the “Party Business” seminars, a two-day Tradeshow and the 21st Annual ED’s Awards Show
August 27, Clearwater, FL: For decades, club owners, operators and staff have echoed the same mantra: “We throw a party every night in our club.” But what does it mean to plan, promote and throw a “party” in 2018? That was the theme of the 2018 Gentlemen’s Club EXPO, held August 19-22 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The EXPO annually brings together adult club industry professionals from across the U.S. and around the world for the only convention serving this multi-billion-dollar business.
This year, as in previous years, the EXPO featured several industry-specific seminars, networking meetings and events, a 100-booth Tradeshow, a $10,000 bikini contest (presented by Religion Tequila) and the Annual ED’s Awards Show (presented by Capital Hero). EXPO 2018 Title Sponsors included Capital Hero, Spearmint Rhino, Deja Vu/Hustler Clubs, Monroe’s of Palm Beach & The Manor, The Pony Clubs, The Penthouse Club, Scores Gentlemen’s Club, MAL Entertainment and Rick’s Cabaret.
Once again, ED Publications celebrated the best of the best in the adult nightclub industry with its 21st Annual Adult Nightclub & Exotic Dancer Awards Show — the ED’s Awards — which featured top comedian Jessimae Peluso and was held at The Joint Theater inside the Hard Rock on Tuesday, August 22. Regional club awards were handed out, as were such national awards as Club Chain of the Year and Overall Club of the Year. For “feature” entertainers, six awards were handed out, culminating with the prestigious Overall Entertainer of the Year. In 2018, the evening’s big winners were E11EVEN in Miami, which took home Overall Club of the Year; Deja Vu/Hustler Clubs, which won the Club Chain of the Year Award; and Natasha Nova, who was crowned ED’s Overall Entertainer of the Year. Two executives — Spearmint Rhino’s President Kathy Vercher and RCI/Rick’s Cabaret’s CEO Eric Langan — were inducted into the ED Hall of Fame (a complete list of ED Award winners is attached).
The EXPO ended with a hot and steamy bang on Wednesday, August 22, with the Splash Bash and $10,000 Bikini Contest at the Hard Rock’s famous Rehab Pool. Tiffini from Buck’s Cabaret in Fort Worth, Texas, outlasted the competition which included 50 gorgeous ladies from across the U.S. to win first place ($3,000 cash prize, $3,000 in advertising for the club which “sponsored” her appearance).
The complete list of 2018 ED’s Awards Show Winners is listed below. For more information on the ED’s Awards Show and 2018 Gentlemen’s Club EXPO, or for photos you can use for media coverage/PR purposes, visit www.theEDexpo.com and www.TheExoticDancer.com, email dave@edpublications.com or call (727) 726-3592.
2018 ED’s Awards Show Winners:
Overall Gentlemen’s Club of the Year
E11EVEN, Miami
Overall Feature Entertainer of the Year
Natasha Nova
Overall Club Chain of the Year
Deja Vu and Hustler Clubs
Hall of Fame Award
Eric Langan
Hall of Fame Award
Kathy Vercher
Club of the Year East
Rick’s Cabaret, New York City
Small Club of the Year East
Kandy’s Adult Playground, Waterford, PA
Club of the Year South
Monroe’s of Palm Beach, West Palm Beach
Small Club of the Year South
Crazy Horse Cabaret, Port Allen, LA
Club of the Year Central
Ocean Gentlemen’s Club, Chicago
Small Club of the Year Central
Blackjacks, Elgin, IL
Club of the Year West
Dames ’N’ Games, Los Angeles
Small Club of the Year West
Hi-Liter, Phoenix
Urban Club of the Year
Plush Gentlemen’s Club, Dayton, OH
Feature Club of the Year
Creekside Cabaret, Hatfield, PA
Club Employee of the Year
Dane Hansen, Centerfolds Cabaret
General Manager of the Year
Hal Bell, Tootsie’s Cabaret
International Club of the Year
Penthouse Club, Moscow
DJ of the Year
Jimmy Boucher, Monroe’s of Palm Beach
Newcomer Entertainer of the Year
SharZayn
Club Favorite Entertainer of the Year
Annie Lane
Adult Movie Entertainer of the Year
Ariana Marie
Miss ExoticDancer.com of the Year
Ashley
International Showgirl of the Year
Justice
