CHATSWORTH, CA – The 2012 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo (AEE) is dramatically expanding its audience reach with the creation of a AVN-AEE Virtual Ticket allowing registrants to view and participate in the iconic Las Vegas event from the privacy of their own home.

A Virtual Ticket is $19.99 and available at www.adultentertainmentexpo.com. Wicked Pictures exclusive contract star jessica drake [pictured] and Mr.Skin.com founder Jim McBride will be VirtualCast hosts alongside popular Midwest radio personality ROVER.

The VirtualCast of theAEE will originate from the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, host of the 2012 AVN AEE and will run from 1:00pm, Friday January 20 until 1:00am Sunday morning, January 21 following Winner’s Circle coverage from the AVN Awards Show and the official awards show after-party.

The VirtualCast will feature coverage from exhibit space throughout the hotel, a private penthouse studio, nightclubs hosting after-Expo parties and from The Joint, the 4,000 seat theatre inside the Hard Rock Hotel; location of both the AEE Main Stage during the Friday and Saturday Fan Show and the AVN Awards Show on Saturday night.

Nearly every element of The AVN Adult Entertainment Expo will be streamed online providing the public with a rare look behind the velvet ropes of the adult entertainment industry. On Saturday night, virtual ticket holders will see exclusive coverage of the pre-awards AVN Red Carpet and post-awards Winner’s Circle.

“Event technology now allows us to expand our unique environment to a worldwide audience that is otherwise unable to attend.” said AVN principal Theo Sapoutzis.

“This social-network-driven setting for virtual attendees, as well as for our exhibitors, is in keeping with our leadership in this industry’s next evolution.”

The 2012 Virtual AEE is being produced by Virtual FanFests, a Chicago-based company that produces fan conventions online within a pay-per-view environment. The Virtual AEE will include coverage from 7 cameras spread throughout the Hard Rock Hotel, private, public and moderated chat, downloadable material and easy links for e-commerce from AEE Exhibitors and Booth Sponsors.

“We are really just taking an event people want to see and making it possible for them not only to see it, but to interact with it, said Virtual FanFests co-founder Bob Snyder.

“And with the accessibility our camera’s will have, sitting privately by a computer watching hours of exclusive online content only, becomes an attractive way to take in the event”

All fan, trade and press attendees may now go to AdultEntertainmentExpo.com for the 2012 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo (AEE), which will be held at its new home, The Hard Rock Hotel, in Las Vegas, Nevada this January. AEE will showcase an incredible lineup of the biggest names the adult industry has to offer, the hottest adult stars from around the world, a robust trade seminar program, stage shows, musical performances, and a first look at the cutting-edge technology behind some of the most innovative sex toys and novelties on the market today, and in the future.

For the first time in its history, The Hard Rock Hotel will host all facets of the expo, as well as the 2012 AVN Awards Show. The festivities open on Wednesday, January 18th through Saturday, January 21st, 2012. All attendees may go to www.AdultEntertainmentExpo.com.

One of the largest adult tradeshows in the world, AEE brings together an exciting and unique experience for everyone within the adult entertainment industry. AEE trade registration includes the AVN Novelty Expo (ANE), the industry’s leading B2B trade expo for pleasure products, the AEE Trade Show, and for the first time, the AEE Fan Fest, giving fans never-before-seen access to the industry and its participants.

In a first, AEE will be presenting over 12 official parties held throughout Las Vegas, where attendees of the expo have the opportunity to upgrade their tickets to attend these events.

For more information about the Expo, including a list of exhibitors and events, please refer to www.AdultEntertainmentExpo.com.

Wednesday is restricted to trade attendees only, and special “trade only” hours on Friday and Saturday will restrict access to industry professionals and the media in order to permit exhibitors to make and build business and media contacts before fans are allowed into the Expo.

Trade attendees who register before December 15, 2011 will get a $125 fall discount special.

Trade registration provides badge holders access to all AEE and ANE seminars, the main exhibit hall during all show hours, and the AVN Novelty Expo. Special Fan Tickets are also now available at fall discount rates. The VIP Fan Package includes access to the Fan Fest featuring over 300 adult stars, separate VIP Entrance, dedicated registration area, AEE Show Directory, and a complimentary T-shirt for $85. General Fan tickets are available now for $65 before December 15, 2011.

The 2012 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo sets the stage for the 29th annual AVN Awards Show, which will be held Saturday, January 21, 2012 at The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. The annual AVN Awards Show is the premier gala of adult video and recognizes titles, individuals, and companies for contributions to and excellence in the industry. Please note that a separate ticket is required for admission to the AVN Awards Show.