Page 34 - AVN Intimate Winter 2016

EXHIBTOR HIGHLIGHTS
Listen & Learn
ANE gathers experts for seminar program
Once again, the AVN Novelty Expo will gather leading experts in
educate and engage attendees from all sectors of the pleasure
the pleasure products industry for its educational seminar program.
products industry,” said Sherri L. Shaulis, senior editor of pleasure
The 2016 ANE takes place Jan. 20-22 at Hard Rock Hotel and
products for AVN. “We take great pride in knowing that every year
Casino Las Vegas. The show will take over the Paradise Tower in the
our seminar program is a highlight for ANE attendees, and we
hotel, with all events, exhibits and seminars located in that area.
know that this year’s lineup will cover topics that are of interest to
“We have worked hard to create a seminar program that will
everyone coming to ANE.”
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21
ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL: SELLING TO EVERY
BODY (1-2 P.M.)
Just as not everyone has the same sexual pro-
clivities, not every customer has the same body
types. Body shape, size and ability can make
using many sex toys difficult if not impossible.
This seminar will cover how people of size,
varying physical abilities and different gen-
ders can use existing toys, or modify existing
products, for sexual satisfaction. Retailers and
manufacturers can also learn what toys might
or might not work for different body types.
Panelists: Sex educator Robin-Wilson Beattie,
sex educator Bethany Stevens, Stephanie
Berman of Semenette, size acceptance advocate
Kelly Shibari, transsexual performer Venus Lux.
TRUTH IN LABELING (1-2 P.M.)
While there has been a major move by manu-
facturers in recent years to be more transparent
about what materials are used in their pleasure
products, not everyone is as forthcoming as re-
tailers and consumers would like. Some inten-
tionally mislabel, while others inadvertently list
incorrect materials for one reason or another. In
this seminar, participants will talk about how
retailers can know what’s really in the products
they stock, and what efforts are being made to
be as truthful as possible.
Panelists: Larry Garland of Eldorado Trad-
ing, Nenna Joiner of Feelmore 510, Lucy Vonne
of Evolved Novelties, Scott Watkins of Doc
Johnson.
SCANDAL ON THE SHELVES (2-3 P.M.)
Sometimes a scandal erupts and it has a direct
impact on the pleasure products industry. Pills
get recalled by the FDA, manufacturers detect
flaws in products after they are shipped … you
name it. something can go wrong. Here, retail-
ers and others talk about when and how to pull
products, and what could happen if products
aren’t pulled from the shelves.
Panelists: James Pepper of Pepper’s Parties
Too, Larry Garland of Eldorado Trading, Lucy
Vonne of Evolved Novelties, Scott Watkins
of Doc Johnson, Kim Airs of Topco Sales and
Grand Opening.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20
THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF OWNING A
SEX STORE (1-2 P.M.)
It can be a privilege to operate a space where
people feel comfortable enough to explore their
sexual desires and seek help from knowledge-
able staff members. But it’s not always easy
dealing with the unique problems that can
come with owning such a business, such as
vandalism, protesters, obscene phone calls and
other nuisances. Here, panelists tell stories of
their highs and lows as a sex store owner, and
offer advice on how to deal with the downsides.
Panelists: Kathi Pepper of Pepper’s Parties
Too, Kim Airs of Topco Sales and Grand Open-
ing.
LEGAL ISSUES FACING THE INDUSTRY (2-3 P.M.)
Top lawyers and other experts will discuss
various legal issues that face the pleasure
products industry (zoning issues for brick-and-
mortar stores, how to find the right attorney for
your business, etc.) and answer questions from
audience members.
Panelists: Attorney Eric M. Bernstein, Attor-
ney Michael Fattorosi.
POINT OF PURCHASE: KEEPING UP WITH PAY-
MENT PROCESSING SOLUTIONS (3-4 P.M.)
In these days of credit card fraud and identi-
ty theft, the United States has been behind the
game in fraud prevention when compared to
the rest of the world. Now retailers—both brick-
and-mortar and online—have to worry about
being EMV compliant, while also keeping on
top of the latest on mobile payment technology.
This panel will feature experts from payment
processing companies in the adult industry to
explain the changes and what’s required.
Panelists: Mitch Farber from Netbilling, Gary
Jackson from CCBill, Mia Hyun from Mobius
Payments.
34 | INTIMATE | WINTER 2016
FOR WOMEN ONLY (3-4 P.M.)
Mainstream media is quick to write about the
issues—both real and imaginary—facing female
performers in the adult industry. But women
who work in other areas of the industry—as
store owners, buyers, manufacturers, sex
educators, bloggers and more—face a host of
issues, both personally and professionally. In
this closed-door session, women can gather in a
safe space and talk about anything. No topic is
off limits.
This is a closed-door session open only to
women in the adult industry.
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