Showing Up Early….
I know what you are asking yourself: “What is the point of showing up early at an adult expo?” Well, the answer is simple. If you appear in the right spots and act like a cordial human being, you never know what you will see and who you will meet. My name is Don Juan DeMarko. I am a writer, producer, publicist, and so many other things within the adult film industry that I sometimes forget my real name. If there is one thing you should know above all else, it is that I am just as huge a fan as you are, the porn consumer. Even though I make adult films now, I still enjoy the little things and probably always will. This article will serve as the ultimate access point to what eXXXotica Chicago is/was and how fans can get prepped for the next city. I mean, get prepped to enjoy this convection for what it is at every level that a true porn fan fantasizes about.
The Day Before….
One of my fondest memories from this past expedition is when I hopped from one hotel to the next, scrambling to interview an XRCO Hall of Fame inductee for the first time. Fans may not be privy to the info that the convention center hosting the annual event has many beautiful hotels surrounding it. They are literally connected by a skywalk. No matter where you stay in Chicago, within these great hotels, you will be able to find a great place to have a deep-dish pizza. Giordano’s is where Gavyn Glass and I recommend that you go; their service is exquisite. All while you are still within walking distance or a five-dollar Uber ride from making everything happen expo-wise. If you stay in one of these three amazing hotels, you will be treated to Chicago’s best service. The Rosemont area is a very different experience than most other places in Chicago. If you are lucky like I was, you will run into performers like Katie Kush and Ricky Johnson three to four times at the hotel bar and restaurant, as performers love to have a little bite and drink before the fun begins. But be formal with your actions. Porn stars are people, and most are very laid-back, kind, reserved people. The nicest you will meet, and no one likes getting hit up for an autograph or picture while putting some wet Italian beef in their mouth. Get my drift?
Getting there early means you will know when shit is happening. Having a battle plan is how you see every performer you come there to see. You don’t want to wait till day two to see Christy Canyon. You will have a better shot at seeing the Cubs and White Sox in the World Series. Performers shoot, sign, and utilize promos with the booths they sign outside the convention. Knowing their schedule and having one yourself will make your porn fantasy that much more possible at an expo.
The Day Of…..
Like I just said, come to this event and every event with a plan of action. Big cities mean big crowds. No matter if you are waiting to see porn stars or comic book heroes. For example, this was the event to see the great Jenna Jameson. Many fans had no clue what to do; they missed out because they got there hours before her scheduled time to appear. Even though that above comment may look like Don Juan bad-mouthing the legend known as Christy Canyon, he is not. This woman is an icon of the game. She has radio shows to host, content to shoot with her fellow performers, and a life of her own to keep up with. Every second she spends at her booth to sign is utilized to a tee. You must be prepared or go to another city to meet the great Christy Canyon; that is how it is. That is how busy she gets. Not every performer is like the Slayed Queen Vicki Chase. A performer who literally seemed to spend every second of the convention at her booth. Allowing every fan and industry member to approach. That is Vicki Chase; that is why she has a freaking XRCO Award named after her because she is the best of the best. But most of us love more than just one porn star. We are fans of getting to see everyone that we have in our porn collections. This is why you spend time going to websites that showcase the news in the industry, like this one right here. Porn Star Town will guide you to every in and out if you take the time to do your reading and homework. This is why you follow the feeds of the performers you love. You can make this the greatest porn vacation of your life, and trust me when you plan accordingly so that you can run into Spencer Bradley, badge model Kenzie Taylor, and Nicolette Shea all at the same time, and every gal will welcome you with open arms if you plan your night right.
Porn stars are people too. There are lazy ones, mean ones, happy ones, and downright cool as fuck ones. If you want a chance to get a hug, touch someone’s butt, you damn well better ask, but you also need to plan and think as you navigate these expo halls. Some performers love to greet their fans with the porn star experience. Others do this as a job to make money. Not every performer will let you put your arm around their waste; you should not expect it. You can message them on X or Instagram and ask them what they are comfortable with and how much you want to meet them. Trust me, these ladies want to meet you, too. So many of you fans make their days, lives, and careers rich and fulfilling. They enjoy getting to see you all out there. What they don’t like is being bombarded with an expectation of groping and cheap feels as if you are a porn star yourself. Respect for the art and the artists. Plain and simple.
The parties, baby, the parties!......
If you ask Don Juan, you should, as he has partied with Cherie DeVille and sat with her at a strip club table tipping dancers and watching beautiful naked women during an expo many moons ago. Where the whiskey flowed like wine and the Salmon of Capistrano. Or some shit like that. Let’s just say the man has partied like a rock star, with porn stars, all while rock stars were in attendance. This is the spot where I have to say that the bigger cities have lost touch with the big performers of the business. Years before, Chicago was a lot more fun to party in. Due to the fact we have seen so many dick heads trying to drug performers with a free drink, it has killed so many chances fans have to see big talent at the expo’s events. I believe the place for fans to see some great parties is at all the featured and sponsored gentleman’s club parties. The best example is Christiana Cinn, who hosted the first after-hours event on night one and danced the next day at the best party of the bunch. Not everything is lost if you go to the hotel after parties. I saw many of the new talents of the industry attending. If you want to see hotties Lovely Lo and Steve From Accounting, you will have seen them at the after-party. There is always a benefit to every place you go, depending on who you are. Me, I am a party animal who never sleeps and is always hanging out with my porn sisters. It’s what took our party to a local Chicago casino, where I saw my homie Katie Morgan hit a fucking jackpot. All while sipping on some drinks with my legendary homie Kiki D’Aire. Now, how is that for a party?
You must choose wisely. Just like you were Indiana Jones and that if you drink the wrong fucking drink, you may turn into a rancid pile of dust. The same goes for the eXXXotica after parties. If you want to cut loose, maybe have the chance to see a porn star naked and have her kiss you on the cheek. Go to the strip club parties. If you want to dance, be elbow to elbow and pay $15 for a glass of beer, with the even slighter possibility of seeing Nyssa Nevers and some LoyalFans babes walking out of their hotel room and crossing the lobby. The hotel after-party is for you then. Remember, this is an adult adventure; whatever happens after hours is all about how smart or stupid you choose to act during these crazy, fun places to party at. Use your fucking brain, people, even if you are going to fill it with hops and bong rezon. Trust me, you will not out-party Katie Morgan, nor will you be able to fool her with bullshit, immature hijinx. She is far too smart and cunning for such tomfoolery.
In Closing…
These are some of Don Juan’s basics for survival. Wear some comfy shoes. Bring your wallet. No, not because the ladies are gonna suck you dry. The hotel parking will do that. An adult expo is meant to be an escape from reality. You need to be prepared to pay for such pleasures. Disney Land offers nothing for free, so why should eXXXotica? At this epic convention, I witnessed Ray-Ray and Jazmine Cruz stealing the show and having the best presentation of any performer at the show. Offering the best FREE goodie bag to any fan who came to say hello, the woman is a gem and will treat you like one at the next expo you see her at. Bella Lexi and Danni Jones just happened to be signing at the same booth, and what a sight it was to see The Signatures After Dark booth showcase the models they did. If you wanted to find a great little corner of porn superstars. You had to look in the back. Do some searching. There are hidden porn starlets at every convention. Don Juan’s favorite was Kaylee Ryder. You will have seen the great Syren De Mer in this tucked-away little treasure chest of hotties if you came at the right time. These were all the best of the best at eXXXotica Chicago, and there are still many more expos to follow. So, now you know the skinny. Next time you are attending one of these expos, remember what I taught ya, and be sure to tell the ladies that Don Juan sent ya!
