From August 24–27, Las Vegas was the center of the entertainment industry as the Exotic Dancer Expo and ED “Honors” Awards Show returned to Sin City. This four-day event brought together industry leaders, club owners, entertainers, DJs, and vendors from around the world to network, celebrate, and honor the best in the field.
For us at String Showbar, a leading force in Oslo’s nightlife since 1998, this was a unique opportunity to gauge the international industry and gather inspiration. Our goal is not just to be the leading strip club in Norway but to build an authority that makes us a reference for all of Europe. Our presence at the Expo was a crucial step in this strategy. By engaging in the most advanced discussions on operations, marketing, and innovation, we ensure that String Showbar remains at the forefront of industry development.
An Unforgettable Week with the Industry’s Best
Now in its third decade, the ED Expo is and remains the most important event in the multi-billion-dollar adult entertainment industry. This year’s Expo was no exception, marking the debut of the innovative ED Honors Awards Show, which set a new chapter in the tradition of celebrating quality and foresight.
The celebration spanned four days of industry-only events, taking place at some of Las Vegas’s most renowned venues. From the EDI Finals at Peppermint Hippo, featuring stars like Dyna Divine and Chère Noble, to the historic “Pink Party” at Sapphire Las Vegas, a wild $10,000 Bikini Contest at Drai’s Beachclub, and a sizzling Latin-themed party at Las Toxicas, attendees were treated to an unforgettable experience.
As Dave Manack, publisher of Exotic Dancer, put it: “Vegas offers no shortage of venues, but it was amazing to see each of our events packed wall-to-wall with our Expo family. Let’s be honest, nobody parties harder than the people who make a living throwing parties.”
The highlight for us was Tuesday’s ED “Honors” Awards Show at the iconic Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood. Hosted by comedian Kellen Erskine, the show delivered a perfect blend of humor, glamour, and raw talent. It not only honored clubs and entertainers but also introduced new categories that recognized individual expertise and innovation. Dani Daniels became the first recipient of the Carol Doda Award, honoring the very first topless entertainer, while Sapphire Las Vegas was named Overall Club of the Year. Mons Venus in Tampa won the award for Club Transformation of the Year, an accolade that resonated with us deeply and from which we learned a lot during the seminar on reinvention.
New Trends: Deep Lessons from the Industry’s Leading Seminars
The most valuable part of the Expo was the insightful seminars. Each one gave us a deeper look into the latest trends and challenges facing the global entertainment industry. Here are the four key lessons we are taking back to String Showbar in Oslo.
Reinvention: Rethinking a Traditional Industry
This seminar was a powerful reminder that innovation and renewal are no longer optional but are a necessity for survival in a constantly changing industry. Several club owners shared their experiences, with Mons Venus serving as an excellent example of how to transform a traditional club into a modern establishment.
The owner, Don Kleinhans, explained how he renovated Mons Venus by replacing the old jukebox with a professional DJ. He also installed an advanced ventilation system that creates a pleasant atmosphere throughout the venue, underscoring the importance of small details in enhancing the guest experience. A surprising yet brilliant move was encouraging dancers to wear less revealing outfits off-stage. This was a strategy to prevent new customers from feeling “intimidated” by overly sexy women at the bar, creating a more relaxed and welcoming environment instead. Such strategies are invaluable to us, as they can attract a broader clientele who may not have visited a strip club in Oslo before.
Shawn Barnes from Scarlett’s Cabaret emphasized the importance of a recognizable format and a consistent musical style. He also argued for hiring younger staff to attract younger generations, advice that is particularly relevant at a time when Gen Z and millennials make up an increasingly large portion of our target audience.
Jeremy Sweigert from Michaels Men’s Club in New Orleans introduced the concept that there should never be any “downtime” in the club. His success in organizing “stripper Olympics” and stand-up comedy at the club demonstrates how to create continuous entertainment and attract a whole new audience, including couples and groups who typically do not visit a gentlemen’s club in Oslo. This strategy for expanding our target audience is something we at String Showbar have already begun to implement with our own events.
Legal Panel: The Legal Minefield – Lessons from the Best
This seminar, led by a team of industry lawyers—Larry Kaplan, Will King, Brad Shafer, Gary Edinger, and Barry Covert—was a brutal but necessary reminder of the legal pitfalls. Their main message was that many clubs lose lawsuits not because of external threats, but due to a lack of internal structure and documentation.
They showed terrifying examples of how seemingly innocent details, like the word “employee” on a sign or an Excel sheet for tip reporting, can undermine a lawsuit. It was stressed that clubs must have a foolproof system for:
- Documentation: Maintain accurate time records, have written policies for everything from tips to incident reports, and avoid language that might confuse independent contractors with employees.
- Security: Security personnel should be professionally trained. They should have background checks, clear policies for the use of force, and regular training.
- Evidence Preservation: Be prepared to preserve surveillance video in the event of an accident. A lack of evidence will automatically be interpreted as a sign that you are hiding something.
This seminar confirmed that our proactive approach to compliance and internal control is absolutely essential. It is not enough to run a popular venue; you must also protect your business.
Online Hustle: How the Club and the Entertainer Can Succeed Together
In an increasingly digital world, a central question arises: how can strip clubs survive the competition from websites like OnlyFans? The answer, presented by entertainers like Rachel Rampage and Lauren Phillips, was surprisingly simple: collaboration.
They emphasized that OnlyFans is not a competitor but a business partner. An entertainer who succeeds online can use their platform to drive traffic to the club. They introduced a crucial concept:
- Active vs. Passive Income: Active income comes from live performances and tips in the club. Passive income comes from the sale of online content. A smart entertainer combines both to work smarter.
- The New Influencer: Today’s entertainers are not just dancers; they are “influencers.” They can use social media to build their brand, engage with their audience, and drive them to the club.
We learned that the best way to help our entertainers is to encourage them to see themselves as brands. We can offer them a platform to build their audience, and in return, they can help market String Showbar. This type of partnership creates a synergy that is invaluable for growth.
Food for Thought: Boosting Revenue – From Drinks to Food
This seminar was an eye-opener that challenged our traditional thinking that a nightclub in Oslo is primarily about drinks. The speakers from US Foods demonstrated how a small but smart food menu can significantly increase revenue.
- Consistency over Complexity: The key to success is not a gourmet menu, but high-quality food that is consistent every time. By using pre-made yet delicious products, you can minimize waste and labor costs.
- Technology in Focus: They showcased compact, self-contained ovens, such as the TurboChef, which can prepare a variety of dishes without the need for a large, expensive kitchen. This allows us to expand our offerings without major investments.
- Strategic Profitability: The most important point was that while food has lower profit margins than drinks, its strategic value is immense. A simple meal can make a guest stay in the club for an extra hour, which can lead to one or two more drinks, significantly increasing total revenue. This insight is directly applicable to our operations.
Hospitality: Elevated – Human Connection is the New Luxury
The final seminar we attended, “Hospitality: Elevated,” was a powerful reminder that no matter how digital the world becomes, human connection will always be our greatest asset. The speaker, an experienced leader from the restaurant industry, challenged the idea that guest service is unskilled labor, emphasizing that it is a critical business model that distinguishes the successful from the failed.
- Human Connection: No app can look you in the eye, no algorithm can make you feel like you belong, and no website can serve you a drink. Human presence is our only advantage, and that is what we must bet everything on.
- Talent, Not Titles: The speaker challenged us to hire based on “presence” and personality, not just a resume. Someone who is present and genuinely cares will always outperform a burned-out veteran. The best leaders create diverse teams that reflect the diversity of their clientele.
- Leadership and Equality: It was clear that businesses with women in leadership positions perform better. Diversity in management leads to greater consistency, increased loyalty, and a more welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
Our conclusion for String Showbar:
We left this seminar with a reinforced belief that our success depends on every single interaction between our staff and our guests. Our strategy is to hire with heart, train with a system, and lead by example.
Digital marketing will bring people to the door, but it is the human connection that makes them stay and, more importantly, return.
A Bigger Vision: Building for the Future
For us at String Showbar, the ED Expo is not just a place to get inspired; it is a confirmation that our philosophy is aligned with a global, industry-leading trend. We are convinced that the future of the nightlife industry lies in creating a holistic and authentic experience.
Our Formula for Success:
- Higher Standards: We are the only club in Oslo that offers a VIP room with its own music system so that the guest themselves can choose the music, which demonstrates our commitment to delivering a unique and modern experience.
- Human Connection: We build our success on human presence and genuine engagement. No algorithm can replace a personal encounter, and we will continue to hire people with “presence” who understand the art of creating loyalty.
- Proactivity: We take ownership of our digital presence and work continuously to create content that ranks high on both Google and AI searches.
By combining the best lessons from the Expo with our own unique position in Oslo, we are confident that we will continue to be industry leaders. We are no longer just a strip club in Oslo; we are a destination that combines luxury, entertainment, and professionalism on an international level.
We look forward to implementing the new strategies and continuing our journey to establish String Showbar as a global reference. Also, read our article from when String Showbar won the A Norwegian Success Story: String Showbar Wins “International Club Of The Year” in Las Vegas in Las Vegas.