Vegas strippers are stepping up their game. The first-annual Las Vegas Stripper Parade & Expo is set to launch this summer. The three-day conference aims to celebrate the art and culture of strippers. According to organizers, the goals of the event are to "improve modern society’s relationship with adult entertainment, praise the people who work in this industry and bring sex positivity, consent and freedom of expression to the streets of Las Vegas."
"We have spoken to many dancers who have felt isolated and un-mentored," said Cory Mervis, an organizer for the event. "We are creating a parade and expo that is about the performers’ needs, celebrating them in the industry and supporting their businesses. It will provide the tools to grow their careers, find long-term success and plan for their financial future." Mervis is founder of the now-defunct Las Vegas Halloween Parade.
Polly Superstar, co-founder of the expo and author of Polly: Sex Culture Revolutionary, initiated a Kickstarter campaign for the event in January.
"Crowdfunding this project enables us to stay true to the vision and prioritize the real needs of the stripper community," said Superstar.
Superstar founded Kinky Salon, a popup style event, where participants are encouraged to embrace inclusivity and self-expression. While organizers say sex is often a byproduct of the event, Kinky Salon is not a sex party.
"We describe it as an arty, sexy party," said one of the Kinky Salon organizers. "At KSL, you’ll still have a good time, even without engaging in the kinky stuff. When we began, there weren’t many places where diverse ranges of people could explore together. There’s more now, but no one has as many activities and a playroom as big and as busy as ours!"
According to the Las Vegas Sun, Superstar and Mervis established a performer- based advisory board for the expo, called B.O.S.S. (Board of Smart Strippers), which includes filmmakers, educators, writers and activists. While the parade would be the most visible and celebratory of the three-day happening, Mervis said the expo—featuring speakers, classes and vendors—will be groundbreaking.
The Las Vegas Stripper Parade & Expo kicks off the evening of Saturday, August 10, with the expo continuing Sunday, August 11 and Monday, August 12 at the Plaza Hotel & Casino, in downtown Las Vegas. The large-scale public celebration and professional B2B conference is produced by women and caters specifically to exotic dancing professionals. The parade takes place on Main Street and will feature performers of all genders and body types, with a 7pm showcase Saturday night before the 10pm parade down Main Street.
The expo will introduce a full schedule of industry networking, informative seminars, vending opportunities and after-show parties. A sunset pool party—available only to the show’s Kickstarter supporters—will feature poolside VIP suites, private cabanas, a 12-person hot tub, live entertainment and special contests. The expo will also feature classes, speakers and vendors geared towards the exotic dancer community and addressing real-life challenges of the performers, including money management and investments, professional services, security, health and well-being, as well as helping them to navigate their online presence. Scheduled workshops include "Dance Your Way To A Website: How To Build Your Own Site," "How To Process Payments And Make Money Online As A Dancer," "Security And Safety On And Off the Pole," "Let’s Get Wiggy! How To Take Care Of Your Costumes & Wigs," "Tips On Getting Tips: Increasing Your Sales" and "Planning Your Financial Future."
"We are excited to grow this one-ofa-kind parade and expo in downtown Las Vegas," said Derek Stonebarger, Board President for the Las Vegas Arts District.
For more information on the parade and expo, visit LasVegasStripperParade.com.
