[DannyCox]

Keep in mind that "mainstream" industry use celebrities all the time as keynote speakers. It's all too common at large conventions to get the people out. But it has always been something I have been against in business. Used properly, a keynote speaker should start off the seminar and guide it in the selected direction, including acting as moderator. Of course, to do that, you should actually know something about the industry you are speaking too.

My problem is that while she may be articulate, Sasha Grey is no genius by any stretch of the imagination. For one thing, and as Liz pointed out, she is much too young and inexperienced to be taken the least bit seriously. For another, she doesn't know or understand a thing about what any of us actually do. May as well just hired a D list celebrity (which would actually be a step up!).

I really believes it does belittle our industry to have her give the keynote address. This has nothing to do with her being a Porn Star and spreading her legs to make a living. My wife has been doing that since Sasha was 4 years old! It has to do with the perception within and without the industry. I would hope by now we could show professionalism at shows and keep the eye candy in the background. We want to show the world that we are a legitimate and real industry, but every time we do something as ridiculous as this, we just backslide in everyone's eyes.

This is just another example on how AVN has lost touch with everything!