For 14 years, adult film actress Jewell Marceau has been struggling to stay afloat in the competitive world of adult entertainment.

Nowadays, Marceau also has to contend with amateurs, who are growing increasingly popular against a backdrop of economic recession.

"It's very frustrating. Any Joe Blow can pick up a camera and say they're a photographer or producer and be my competition," Marceau said on Friday at Adultcon, the adult convention held twice a year at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

For eight years, Adultcon has enabled entertainers like Marceau and also vendors to promote their products by connecting with fans.

"[I'm here for] public relations--to meet people and promote brand awareness," said Drew Fin-Kelson, a clothing company owner who has been a vendor at Adultcon six times. "It's gotten a lot smaller this year but the economy's left some of us hurting."  

While a number of patrons flocked to meet entertainers and shop for merchandise, several of the booths at the convention center remained empty. Still, fans crowded around the scantily clad stars and did not hesitate to pay the $5 fee to have their photographs taken with them and occasionally indulge in a minute-long lap dance.

Events like Adultcon prove that sex not only sells, but can keep an entire industry afloat in a faltering economy.