Be Cautious of Unfamiliar Faces

Hopefully, you are enjoying reading the May 2024 edition of XBIZ World magazine while you are attending the XBIZ Miami tradeshow. The topic of this article was specifically chosen to cater to all the creators and businesspeople who are taking part in the adult industry’s most popular summer tradeshow.

I attended my first tradeshow 20 years ago in 2004. In those 20 years, I have met thousands of people from all over the world who were doing business (or trying to do business) in the adult entertainment industry. Many of the people I met during this span are still around while others, their whereabouts are unknown. The simple fact is that tradeshows remain one of the best ways to meet new people and network with people who share similar business goals. Not everyone who attends tradeshows has the rest of the industry’s best interests at heart. Some people are primarily motivated by their own selfish goals.

If you are a creator, safety comes first. Adult entertainers not only face the daily stigma associated with pornography to begin with, but they most also must be constantly on guard from everyone from consumers with malicious intentions to unscrupulous people try to take advantage of their success.

I am not suggesting that every new face at a tradeshow is a bad person, but I am recommending that you keep certain things in mind and enact some rules to protect yourself.

Let’s discuss some of the major things to think about:

• Tradeshows attract a diverse array of attendees, including potential competitors, disgruntled customers, or even individuals with malicious intent. Sharing sensitive business information or personal details with strangers can inadvertently compromise your company’s security. Social engineering tactics, such as phishing attempts or gathering intelligence for corporate espionage, are not unheard of in such environments. Therefore, exercising caution and discretion when divulging information is paramount to safeguarding your interests.
• Discussions at tradeshows often revolve around innovative products, cutting-edge technologies, and proprietary processes. While exchanging ideas and insights can be beneficial, it’s crucial to be wary of individuals who may seek to exploit or steal intellectual property. Revealing too much about your company’s intellectual assets to unfamiliar contacts could potentially result in plagiarism, patent infringement, or unauthorized replication of your innovations. Prioritizing confidentiality and selective disclosure is essential to mitigate the risk of intellectual property theft.
• Not everyone you meet at a trade show will have noble intentions. Some individuals may attempt to engage in unethical or dishonest practices, such as making false promises, misleading representations, or engaging in bribery. It’s essential to maintain a discerning eye and avoid entering into agreements or partnerships without conducting due diligence on the credibility and integrity of the other party. Upholding ethical standards and integrity in business dealings is crucial to preserving your reputation and avoiding entanglement in illicit activities.
• Amidst the hustle and bustle of trade show environments, personal safety can sometimes be overlooked. Meeting new people in unfamiliar settings can expose individuals to various risks, including physical harm, harassment, or assault. It’s important to prioritize personal safety by being aware of your surroundings, avoiding isolated or poorly lit areas, and trusting your instincts if a situation feels uncomfortable or potentially hazardous. Additionally, establishing clear boundaries and assertively communicating them can help deter unwanted advances or intrusive behavior.
• The individuals you associate with at tradeshows can reflect upon your professional reputation. Engaging with individuals known for unethical conduct, illegal activities, or dubious affiliations can tarnish your reputation by association. Even unintentional associations with disreputable individuals or organizations can damage trust and credibility within your industry network. Therefore, exercising discretion in choosing whom to engage with and maintaining integrity in your interactions are essential to safeguarding your reputation.

Now that I’ve given you some things to think about in terms of what can go wrong – let’s focus on what you can/should do while attending a tradeshow.

First, new faces will be common at trade shows, and I always encourage attendees to meet new people, but just because you meet someone at the same tradeshow you are attending, do not automatically assume their credibility. Trust should always be earned and not gratuitously given. Don’t ever be afraid to ask a new face for references. Example, ask the person who they have worked with. Further, follow-up with the references the ‘new face’ provides – i.e. if the person says he works with Jane Doe, then don’t hesitate to seek verification from Jane Doe. Also, the internet is an amazing thing, don’t ever hesitate to use google, social media and various other online tools to vet the person you are meeting.

Second, content creators in the adult entertainment industry are especially susceptible to identity theft and social media hacking. Do not share your personal information with anyone that has not established trust. The business contact information that you share should not be your personal information or data that you use for online logins. Example – never share the same email address that you utilize as your ‘login’ as your email address. The same thing goes for your personal cellular telephone number – don’t share it with people you don’t know. You can easily utilize services such as WhatsApp and Telegram to stay in touch with people you meet. If you have a stage name, then stick to that stage name. Do not share your legal name no matter how much someone may pressure you to do so. The same things goes for things like your birthdate and pet’s name. Yes this seems silly, but think about your password recovery questions and you’ll quickly realize the threat.

Third, do not sign anything presented to you at a tradeshow, ever. Believe it or not, it’s not uncommon for someone to present you with a contract to execute after an initial meeting at a tradeshow. It’s easy to get excited about a perspective business relationship and meeting someone new but this is the most dangerous time with your new professional contact because of the eagerness to make money. Never sign a contract without having it reviewed by a lawyer who works in the adult entertainment industry and never sign a contract in the heat of the moment. Think of the feeling you get when you find the sexy new sports car you’ve always wanted. This is a similar dangerous time.

Fourth, do not give or take any money. This is easier said than done because believe it or not, this has happened at tradeshows and will happen again. Someone out there always seems to have the next great idea or invention but for whatever reason seems to need your cash. There is nothing wrong with pursing investment opportunities but only after you have conducted your own due diligence to make sure that everything checks out. Also, be wary of anyone who wants to give you money as some form of trying to buy your trust or get you to agree to something. Legally, not all types of contracts need to be in writing to be enforceable and I have seen all types of lawsuits involving the exchange of money with at least one party having little to no idea what the exchange is for.

I want to remind you that the purpose of this article isn’t to scare you into avoiding people. It’s the very opposite. You should be making the most out of the tradeshows you are attending by meeting new people and networking as much as possible. The point here is to make sure that you are doing so in a responsible manner and keeping yourself safe.

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This article does not constitute legal advice and is provided for your information only and should not be relied upon in lieu of consultation with legal advisors in your own jurisdiction. It may not be current as the laws in this area change frequently. Transmission of the information contained in this article is not intended to create, and the receipt does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship between sender and receiver.

About Silverstein Legal

Founded in 2006 by adult entertainment lawyer Corey D. Silverstein, Silverstein Legal is a boutique law firm that caters to the needs of anyone working in the adult entertainment industry. Silverstein Legal’s clients include hosting companies, affiliate programs, content producers, processors, designers, developers, and website operators.