Las Vegas Review-Journal to Give AEE a Pass

LAS VEGAS—For the first time in recorded history, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, arguably Nevada's most influential newspaper, has decided not to cover the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo—and considering the fact that AEE typically draws more than 20,000 fans to the city, including locals, industry personnel and fans from across the country, plus cross-over interest from those attending the several conventions in town at the same time, that would seem to be one hell of an omission. The news of the Review-Journal's non-participation came from Brian Gross of BSG PR, who is handling press relations for the convention. Gross wrote to the Review-Journal's Deputy Features Editor Pat Morgan, asking if s/he were planning to send a reporter because Gross "wanted to be on the lookout, make sure they get credentialed and taken care of quickly, and help coordinate interviews." Morgan's response? "We don't have anyone from features covering AVN this year." Some might find it strange that a local newspaper would ignore a convention that draws upwards of 20,000 attendees, but then again, they might not be aware that the Review-Journal was recently bought by casino magnate (and staunch conservative Republican) Sheldon Adelson, in a deal kept secret from the paper's staff for more than a week. It's certainly no surprise that the very religious Adelson would make the decision not to cover AEE—but we have to wonder, did the fact that AVN moved its convention to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino after several years at the Venetian/Sands Convention Center, a complex owned by Adelson, play any part in the paper's decision? Enquiring minds want to know... but it's unlikely that they'll ever find out.