Page 12 - AVN March 2016

WE’VE GOT ISSUES | | By Sharan Street
Meet the Press
This issue of AVN magazine distills down nine long days in the lives of thousands
of people who work in the adult industry or consume its products. In words and
pictures, we’ve tried to convey what happened at AVN’s various events in Las
Vegas: the trade-only Internext Expo, GayVN@Internext and AVN Novelty Expo,
and the fan-driven AVN Adult Entertainment Expo and AVN Awards Show.
But what’s on these pages is just a tiny sampling of our coverage. In particular,
AVN.com features thousands of photos taken at the shows. These galleries cover
everything from Internext Meet Market to the last moments of the AVN Awards,
with stops at seminars, parties, live shows, speeches and other events in between,
and we invite you to enjoy the work of our team of hotshot shooters.
Many of the events during AVN Week have become traditions, such as the
AEE ribbon-cutting ceremony, the LATATA-sponsored White Party and the “O”
Awards. But every year brings a few new facets—and one of the freshest emerged
on the last day of ANE. Members of the media were invited to Body English
nightclub—a quiet oasis in the afternoon—to see some of the best new pleasure
products of 2016, meeting top manufacturers while sipping on cocktails.
Several members of the press expressed gratitude for the opportunity to get
one-on-one face time with experts in the field. Steve Javors, who was covering the
show for Vocativ.com, said, “I found the press event during the AVN Novelty Expo
to be fun and informative. It gave me the opportunity to talk with leaders in the
sector who are doing interesting things with new technology that’s changing the
way couples interact. App-controlled pleasure products, virtual reality—it’s a brave
new world and the adult novelty industry is staying on the cutting edge.”
Among the companies who participated in the media-only cocktail hour were
some of the largest and best-known in the business: CalExotics, Doc Johnson,
Evolved Novelties, Spartacus Leathers, Sportsheets, Topco Sales, We-Vibe and
XR Brands. The relaxed atmosphere—away from the hustle and bustle of the
traditional show floor—allowed for more time to talk.
Kim Airs of Topco Sales appreciated the setting. “The intimacy of the event
made it possible to talk about my company’s product directly to interested
representatives of the press without any interruptions. The open bar and light hors
d’oeuvres were a treat, too! I look forward to this being an annual event at AEE.”
Other prominent manufacturers included Tantus, presenting information on its
Rumble crowdfunding campaign. Wicked Sensual Care served up its newest taste
sensations: Cherry Cordial and Cinnamon Bun flavored water-based lubricants.
Also there were the Semenette, CB-X and Dare Too The latter, an Aussie visitor,
showed its Mia Maxx vibrator with a patented thrusting mechanism.
Adult distributor Eldorado Trading brought a contingent of manufacturers with
a diverse product mix, encompassing Je Joue’s Ami progressive pelvic weights,
Bathmate’s powerful Hercules Hydropump, the striking azure-colored Prism VII
vibrator from L’Amourose and whimsical vibrators from Tokyo Design.
Just as fun as looking at the toys was talking to the product reps. Svakom’s Jeff
Klepper gave demos of the Nova Ball, Mini Emma and Keri, and Sensuelle’s Barry
Brinberg waxed enthusiastic about the Joie Bullet and Point Rechargeable Bullet,
which boast the signature high-powered oomph his company is known for.
Also part of the Eldorado contingent were toy designers Adrian Schneider
and Werner Tiburtius, visiting from Germany. These two high school buddies
created a sex toy empire that includes the Malesation line, offering everything the
well-equipped man might need. Among those showcased were the Ultra P-Spot
Massager and Premium Anal Set.
Next year, AVN plans to refine this event, making it an even better showcase for
manufacturers to shine in the media spotlight.
MARCH 2016
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