Scarlett’s Cabaret in Miami, Autumn Knights and Michelle Lynn receive top honors at the 2024 ED’s Awards Show
EXPO held in Dallas for the first time in the convention’s history!
It was truly an EXPO and Awards Show like none other, as the adult nightclub industry’s only national convention shifted location to “Big D” for the first time in the event’s 31-year history. Dallas, Texas — one of the most historic club markets in the industry’s history — played host to the 31st Annual ED EXPO on August 25-18 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown.
Among the 2024 ED EXPO’s highlights included the two Keynote Addresses; one by nightclub hospitality innovator Michael Tipps of Maverick Theory, the other by noted TV host, author and Lone Star legend Joe Bob Briggs. While Tipps shook up some of those in attendance by challenging their perceptions of what an adult nightclub is “supposed to be,” Briggs regaled attendees with his unique spin on the history of Dallas’ clubs, as the noted TV host (AMC/Shudder) and writer lived and worked in Dallas for several years (for the Dallas Observer and D Magazine).
“In the 26 years I’ve been with ED Publications, I’ve only witnessed five or six standing ovations for a Keynote speaker, so it was a gratifying site to see a few hundred people rise to their feet and applaud Joe Bob’s entertaining address,” says ED’s Publisher, Dave Manack. “I also want to acknowledge Michael Tipps, as his innovative, thought-provoking concepts definitely had people talking.”
The marquee event of the Annual EXPO is the ED’s Awards Show, which was held this year at the famous Gilley’s Dallas on Tuesday, August 27. The show was hosted by up-and-coming comedian Shane Torres (Conan, Last Comic Standing) and boasted opening entertainment by the “Burlesque Queen of Texas,” Minxie Mimieux. Two EDI Finalists, Autumn Knights and Phoenix Phires, also offered command performances that showcased their impressive aerial skills.
By the end of the two-hour show, Scarlett’s Cabaret in Miami emerged as ED’s Overall Club of the Year, the top award for clubs across the country. Michelle Lynn won the ED’s Entertainer of the Year Award, presented to the nation’s top feature entertainer, while Autumn Knights was crowned the 2024 EDI Overall Champion after winning the 2024 EDI West in April 2024 and scoring highest during the EDI Finals at Bucks Cabaret Dallas on Sunday, August 25. (Please see the complete list of 2024 ED’s Award Winners at the end of this story).
“This was the first time in the 26-year history of the ED’s Awards Show that we were able to showcase aerials at the Awards Show, and both Autumn and Phoenix wowed the crowd with their athletic abilities,” says Manack. “It was also a pleasure to watch Minxie Mimieux show the audience that true burlesque never goes out of style!”
Other ED’s Awards Show highlights included the first-ever “Don Waitt Industry Ambassador Award,” meant to honor the memory of ED and EXPO founder, Don Waitt. The inaugural Don Waitt Award was presented to industry veteran Jim St. John (Spearmint Rhino, Deja Vu) followed by two separate Hall of Fame inductions. The first induction was Duncan and Scott Burch, arguably the two most successful club owners/operators in Texas history (Million Dollar Saloon, Cabaret Royale, Baby Dolls and many more). The second induction was ACE, the Association of Club Executives, the industry lobbying and organizational group that was celebrating its 25th anniversary at EXPO (Executive Director Angelina Spencer-Crisp accepted on ACE’s behalf).
Additional ED EXPO 2024 highlights included the Opening Night “First Night Fandango” on Monday, August 26, which was hosted by the Cowboys Red River Dance Hall, a true Texas honkey tonk. The $10,000 Bikini Contest was hosted by The Men’s Club of Dallas and boasted a standing-room-only crowd for the final event of this year’s EXPO.
Stay tuned to ExoticDancer.com and theEDexpo.com for more highlights from EXPO 2024, including coverage of the convention’s seminars and Keynote Addresses — plus, hundreds more photos of the entire four-day event! You can also find EXPO photos and videos on our Facebook and Instagram pages! For more information about this or the upcoming ED EXPO at The Flamingo in Las Vegas (August 24-27, 2025), please email kris@edpublicaitons.com or call 727-726-3592.
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Here is the complete list of 2024 ED’s Award Winners:
Overall Club of the Year
Overall “Small” Club of the Year
Club of the Year East
Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club, New York
Small Club of the Year East
Club of the Year South
Thee Dollhouse, Myrtle Beach, SC
Small Club of the Year South
Club of the Year Midwest
Spearmint Rhino, Minneapolis, MN
Small Club of the Year Midwest
Country Rock Cabaret, Sauget, IL
Club of the Year West
Small Club of the Year West
Angelwitch Cabaret, Lubbock, TX
“Feature” Club of the Year
EDI 2024 Overall Finals Champion
Feature Entertainer of the Year
Club Favorite Entertainer of the Year
Newcomer Entertainer of the Year
International Entertainer of the Year
Miss ExoticDancer.com of the Year
General Manager of the Year
Heidi Santanello, Diamond Cabaret, E. St Louis
Club Employee of the Year
Charlee Daniels, Manager, Godfathers, Wheeling, WV
DJ of the Year
Nicky Stobaugh, Hustler Club, Las Vegas
EXOTIC DANCER Hall of Fame
Scott Burch
EXOTIC DANCER Hall of Fame
Duncan Burch
EXOTIC DANCER Hall of Fame
Don Waitt Industry Ambassador Award
Jim St. John
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