You wouldn't think an event dedicated to "love and sex" would need help selling tickets, but organizers of this weekend's Exxxotica Expo say a popular book has had a Viagra-like effect on ticket sales.
They credit a 22 percent increase in attendees this year to the publicity surrounding the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy, and claim that more women and couples are attending the second-year fest at Rosemont's Donald E. Stephens Convention Center July 13-15 because of it.
"We definitely capitalized on all the hype surrounding the book in the press," publicist Mindi Sue said. "We've added a Shade-related seminar each day and changed the language in our outreach to cater to a demographic that might be a little more prudish."
Those seminars include topics such as "Fifty Shades of Kink."
PHOTOS: Exxxtacy 2010
The best-selling book is set in Seattle and explores the erotic relationship between a college graduate, Anastasia Steele, and a businessman named Christian Grey. The book has been somewhat controversial for its explicit scenes involving bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism (BDSM). A potential movie is currently being discussed, possibly starring Channing Tatum.
The Exxxotica Expo conducted a survey on its web site and posted the following findings from its respondents:
- 50 percent of men and/or women have read or are reading the book(s)
- 83 percent of women found the idea of being dominated like Anastasia Steele, a turn-on
- 69 percent of men found the idea of being dominating like Christian Grey, a turn-on
- 84 percent of women said they are more willing to experiment in BDSM since reading the book(s)
- 70 percent of men said that their mates are more open in the bedroom since reading the book(s)
More proof that sex definitely does sell.
Year in Review 2010: Skimpy Chicago
