At ASN Awards, we’ve always believed that our community is our greatest strength. Every year, we come together to celebrate the innovators, the entertainers, and the brands that push the boundaries of the adult, lifestyle, and alternative industries. However, being a community-first organization means making the tough calls when that same community is facing unprecedented challenges.
Today, ASN Lifestyle Magazine is announcing that we have made the difficult decision to cancel the live, in-person component of the 2026 ASN Awards, originally scheduled for August in Orlando, Florida. Instead, the 2026 awards will proceed in a non-live, digital format.
While we are disappointed that we won’t be raising a glass together in person this year, this decision is a direct response to the economic and geopolitical pressures currently weighing on our industry. Our commitment to honoring excellence remains unchanged, and we are already looking forward to a triumphant return as a full live production in 2027.
“When Our Community Is Hurting, We Are Hurting”
The decision to shift formats was driven by one thing: listening to you. Following the announcement of this year’s prestigious nominees, we were contacted by dozens of performers, creators, and business owners who shared their concerns about the feasibility of attending a live show in the current climate.
The Macroeconomic & Geopolitical Reality
The 2026 landscape is vastly different from what we anticipated at the start of the year. A convergence of external factors beyond our control has made a massive live production in Orlando untenable for many attendees.
1. Geopolitical Instability and Fuel Prices
The ongoing U.S.–Iran conflict has sent shockwaves through the global energy market. With the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, Brent crude has surged past $120 per barrel, leading to some of the highest gasoline and jet fuel prices we’ve seen in years. For our nominees traveling from across the country: and for our international community: the cost of a flight has skyrocketed, often doubling or tripling since last year.
2. Persistent Inflation and Reduced Disposable Income
We recognize that many of our performers and fans are feeling the squeeze of the current macroeconomic climate. Persistent inflation has increased the cost of everything from production equipment to everyday essentials. In a time when disposable income is being prioritized for business survival and personal stability, asking our community to shoulder thousands of dollars in travel expenses for a multi-day event is a burden we cannot in good conscience ignore.
3. The “Orlando Factor”
Orlando remains one of the world’s premier destination cities, but that prestige comes with a price tag that has become particularly steep this August. Average hotel pricing in the area for the month of August 2026 is approximately $192 per night.
When you factor in taxes, resort fees, and ground transportation, a typical three-night stay can easily reach $900 before a single meal is purchased or an airline ticket is booked. For many of our attendees, this makes the “total cost of attendance” a prohibitive barrier.
The 2026 Digital Premiere: A New Way to Honor Excellence
While the live show is on pause, the awards themselves are not. We are shifting our focus to a high-energy, non-live digital presentation that will ensure every winner receives the recognition they deserve.
This digital format allows us to maintain the prestige of the ASN Awards while eliminating the financial risk for our participants. We are investing in a top-tier digital production that will feature:
- Virtual Red Carpet Highlights: Showcasing the best looks and moments from our nominees.
- Exclusive Nominee Spotlights: In-depth looks at the work of the year’s top creators and brands.
- Global Accessibility: Fans from around the world can tune in and celebrate without the barrier of travel costs.
Whether you are a veteran of the industry or a newly announced Legends of the Lifestyle Hall of Fame inductee, your achievements will be broadcast with the same boldness and flair that ASN is known for.
Our Commitment to Partners: The “Make-Whole” Provision
Our sponsors and vendors are the backbone of the ASN Awards. We understand that a change in format impacts your marketing strategy, and we are committed to ensuring your investment is not only protected but amplified.
To honor our commitments, ASN is implementing a Make-Whole Provision for all 2026 partners:
- Digital Visibility: All 2026 sponsors and vendors will receive full placement and high-visibility visibility in the non-live digital awards presentation this year.
- Sponsorship Rollover: In addition to this year’s digital exposure, every 2026 sponsor will receive a rollover into the 2027 live event at no additional cost.
This ensure that our partners are fully compensated for their commitment while positioning them at the forefront of what promises to be our biggest live return ever.
2027: The Path Forward
The “pause” on the live show for 2026 is exactly that: a pause. Our projections and economic forecasts suggest a stabilization of energy markets and a normalization of travel costs by next year.
We are already laying the groundwork for the 2027 ASN Awards. We believe 2027 will provide a far more favorable environment for our performers, fans, and production team to come together without the weight of financial hardship.
