I'm thinking about going to the AVN expo this year.  I feel like Thursday would be the most ideal day for me.  I see some of the talent that's announced to be there.  Are generally all of the talent there all four days?  I hear to generally avoid Saturday as some of the talent leaves early to get ready for the awards show.  Do the porn stars charge for autographs or pictures?  If so how much typically?

I've been going to avns since 2005 and over the years it has changed much.  I'll try annd answer your questions the best that i can:

1. are they there all 4 days
    When i first started going, most PS were there all 4 days. But now, only a few are there all 4 days and even some who stated they'll be all 4 days either leave early for whatever reasons or dont go at all at the last minute w/out saying why they bailed (i'm excluding Madison Ivy from this as she was in a horrible auto accident years ago on the way to avns and obviously couldnt go). Another trend that has occurred is some will show up unannounced like Cynara Fox the first year I went or Marie McCray who was just walking around there 2 years ago.  Its almost like "Wheres Waldo"

2. which days to go
   Wednesdays used to be great but now many dont arrive until late Wednesday night.  Thursday and Friday arent bad but Friday is the busiest day of the bunch imo. Saturdays, like you heard, many are getting ready for the award show  and/or other parties so many dont stay to sign for very long plus many of the fans are just showing up esp the last 2-3 hours of the convention.

3. charging
    At first they werent but the last few years, some are doing so and most are at their agency's booths when this occurs. You gotta remember, some PS had to pay their own way so I think thats why some charge.  If a PS  knows you (this has happened to me often), they may not charge you for an autograph or picture.  The most I had to pay was about $20 for like 2-3 pics.  It depends on the PS but figure about $5-$20 p/PS.

Hope that helps

Thank you sir!

If you're also thinking of scheduling private time, consider booking your date before the expo like Tuesday or Wednesday.  Once the expo starts it will be harder to book with them since they will have industry events already lined up like hosting at strip clubs or get booked for a scene.  The chance of getting cancelled on also goes up if you book during the expo since some will just blow off dates cause they want to party with their friends/high rollers/sugar daddies/etc.

I appreciate your input.  I probably wouldn't do it as of course the only ones that really seem to interest me are ones that don't do it or it's just too expensive.  Asa Akira and Jenna Haze would definitely be my cup of tea.

- Best day - Thursday (Awards are on Friday.)  
- Autographs - expect to pay. $5-20. Some will also allow you to take a pic with them (selfie style) for a fee.  
- DO NOT ASK ANYONE if they will meet in private, or any such language. IF they provide (i.e.; they are on TER or a site like TLC), contact them or their booker in advance.  Asking a porn star if she escorts (in their booth, on the show floor, or even after hours at the hotel bar) will likely get you kicked out in a very harsh manner.  
- There will be MANY local providers at the Hard Rock between 1:00 am and 5:00 am, mostly near the bars or low-value slots. Buyer beware, but you may pick up some good talent for 1/4th of a porn star escort rate.  
-Ask at the major company booths if they have a schedule of the sponsored stars that will appear for them. Better to ask about a specific star than to ask for the full list. The named star may or may not keep that schedule. Also, follow them on twitter as many will tweet their location and schedule of appearances.  
- Many stars use AVN as an opportunity to meet other talent and shoot content in their hotel rooms or at nearby locations. Some of them arrive the week before AVN and/or stay the week after to accommodate shooting schedules. If you want to book a porn star provider, ask them when they plan to get to Las Vegas and when they plan to leave. Schedules may be more flexible pre- and -post AVN days and times.

I'm assuming that Hard Rock Hotel would also be crawling with LE if that's the case too?

I'm pretty sure the awards are on Saturday, if that's the case is Thursday still the best day or does Friday become the best day in your opinion?

It's always better to go before the weekend.
When things get really busy for the ladies.

You are correct that the awards ceremony is on Sat. My bad.  But show day is not optimal as those stars who will be going to the ceremony will be leaving the show floor early to get hair, nails, make up and such done.  There is also an official after-party at the Hard Rock. As I recall, entry requires that you pay for one of the premium tickets. Check the Eventbrite AVN site for details.  
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Actually, LE does not generally have a high profile at the Hard Rock. They do have security, but as long as the pro's working the casino keep a low profile and, presumably tip the bar tenders well, they don't tend attract LE attention. Besides, LE probably doesn't really want to work graveyard to bust hookers and johns - unless one or more people file a complaint with LVPD. Can't say the same for every other Strip Hotel. YMMV.  
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So that leaves Thursday and Friday as best days to attend. Again, research which stars you want to meet (on the show floor) and see if they tweet their public appearance schedule. And for those stars you may want to meet privately, do your research well in advance and book through discreet channels. I attended the 2017 show and met several stars on the floor, as well as 3 stars in my room.  By this time last year I had already booked the private sessions, and 2 back up sessions with local, top-shelf providers.  I left the show happy.... very happy.

Total fantasy here, but maybe you can comment.  I do know that both men and women (but probably more men than women) watch porn and may go to the AVNs. Somehow, in my dirty mind's eye, I am picturing that every attractive young women walking around there is either a PS or a PS-wannabe.  
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Just as there are a lot of old, beer-bellied non-industry guys there, are there also a lot of, uh, non-starlet quality women walking around that would NEVER be confused to be a pro?  
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Sorry if it's a dumb question. I just figure I'd get a neck injury from whipping my head back and forth and all around trying to take in all the eye candy.  
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(Late thought: non-PS spokesmodels dressing up cars, sunglasses, electronics ...?)

In my experience, the civvies tend to dress a lot sluttier than the pros.  The pros know to dress to avoid unnecessary attention while the civvies do the opposite.

How to spot the pros vs civvies?
If they're dressed slutty and in a group, those are civvies.  
Civvies will be loud and obnoxious and carrying a Eiffel tower souvenier mug of alcohol.
The pros will be the ones who make a bee-line for the elevators without drawing attention to themselves.

Showtime network is streaming the 2015 and 2017 awards show.

The porn stars will wear some kind of sexy outfit - in the booth. The show, oddly enough, does not allow nudity on the show floor, but the stars will make sure they look their sexy best for their fans.  Off the floor, they put on a long jacket or such to walk back to their hotel rooms or a taxi. Later when they want hang at the hotel bar with their friends - and yes they do this just like "regular" people - they will dress in civvie attire... Note that like any 21-24 year old super hottie, a porn star may consider some very sexy garments as part of their civvie attire. They may want to go to a high end club and dance and will totally slut-up for that. But they might just as likely put on sweats and a loose sweater to get breakfast with her agent or friend in the hotel coffee shop.  
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Actually, if you are worried you might mistake a civvie for a porn star and inadvertently embarrass or harass her, the opposite is the bigger risk. You might (will) walk right past some porn stars who are not in slut makeup and not in slut clothes and not realize who they are.  As I said, these are real people, who happen to fuck for a living. They are not sex dolls, although there are a couple of booths at the show that have sex dolls.... Very realistic sex dolls.  It's actually kind of creepy - unless you are into that.  Imagine spending $2500 to bang a porn star escort once  - versus spending $2500 to buy a VERY lifelike sex doll, custom made to look like your ideal sexual fantasy women and being able to fuck her every day  (every hour!) forever.