YNOT – AVN Media Network has moved its January 2012 trade shows away from the Consumer Electronics Show, off the Las Vegas Strip, and hopefully into a more comfortable, less expensive spot for everyone in an industry still buffeted by the double-barreled economic blast of a depressed economy and rampant content piracy.

The AVN Adult Entertainment Expo, AVN Novelty Expo, AVN Awards and Internext Expo will take place at Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino beginning Jan. 15, two days after CES ends. Traditionally, AEE, ANE and the AVN Awards cohabitated Vegas with CES in order to reap the benefit of hordes of adult entertainment fans already in town for the largest consumer electronics show in the U.S. Although the approach undoubtedly generated more foot traffic for the open-to-the-public events, trade exhibitors and attendees perennially complained about accommodations shortages and the high cost of available hotel rooms. That problem, at least, has been ameliorated somewhat with the change in show dates and venue: Rooms will be available at the Hard Rock from $99 per weeknight and $179 on Friday and Saturday.

Internext, which brings together representatives from the online side of adult entertainment, will kick off the week-long series of trade shows. Scheduled to occur Jan. 15-17, the 2012 Internext Expo will precede the other shows instead of following them as it has since its debut in 2001. For the past several years, Internext took place at the Palms.

“We are especially pleased to hold Internext at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino this year, where our other events are also talking place,” said AVN Chief Executive Officer Theo Sapoutzis. “It will only enhance the effortlessness with which people from different sectors of the industry will be able to network with one another. The show stands on its own two feet, of course, but we have received lots of feedback over the years from people who appreciate the fact that ‘AVN Week’ in Las Vegas not only enables but encourages them to explore new business opportunities.”

Though the basic format of Internext 2012 is expected to be similar to previous incarnations — including such staples as speed networking, product demonstrations, seminars and workshops and a “meet market” in addition to parties and special dinners — Sapoutzis said organizers hope to incorporate new events and features.

AEE, ANE and the AVN Awards will follow Internext, running Jan. 18-21. According to Sapoutzis, the Hard Rock “gives attendees a bigger space to mix business with pleasure” than last year’s venue, the off-the-Strip Palms Hotel & Casino. For many years previously, AEE took place at the spacious Venetian in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.

AEE will run Jan. 18–21, ANE will occur Jan. 18–20 and the AVN Awards will be presented Jan. 21 at The Joint, a 4,000-seat concert venue inside the Hard Rock. The shows’ formats will be familiar to past attendees, but what Sapoutzis called “some fresh twists” are expected to add a new perspective to the 2012 event.

Registration for all of the shows is expected to commence online Sept. 15.