Over at the Hilton Hotel, down the road from the Adult Novelty Expo at the Pasadena Convention Center, the Adult Novelty Manufacturers Exposition (sponsored by Pipedream Products, Topco Sales, California Exotic Novelties and Doc Johnson) is experiencing a midday lull. The multi-colored vibrators and lubes and leather goods wait patiently for the next round of buyers to arrive. Of course, when you’re up against a big draw like ANE, attendance is bound to take a hit to some degree; still, sales have been made among the concerns represented here: Pleasure Technologies, Rachel’s Pleasures, Brass Head, Inc., D.A.V.E., Inc., TSX Toys, Radiance International, P.A.W., Talking Head Vibes, and Pipedream Products.
“We’ve done over a quarter million dollars worth of business, so we’re doing really well,” says David Miller, president of D.A.V.E., Inc.. He’s been in the business for 30 years, and has developed numerous products personally, including the multi-speed vibrator. Certainly there are legions of gratified women who should thank him for that device alone. “We’ve done okay here,” continues Miller, “and next time I’ll be over there [at ANE]. It’ll be a new gig; we’ll fall in line on that.”
At the Pipedream booth, things have been going well, says vice president of marketing Jennifer Martsolf. “It’s great, a lot of people are coming by the booth and we’re showing a lot of products.” In addition to its own lines, the company offers product from Red Light District and Playgirl, and acquired Las Vegas Novelties “ in the last month,” says Martsolf, “so we signed Ron Jeremy, Sean Michaels and Jacklyn Lick. We’re repackaging all the items and updating all the rubbers and develop new lines, especially for Ron and Sean.”
Martsolf points out some special items. “We have Mari Possa’s Vibrating Ass [an inviting set of buttocks that vibrate, just like Posa’s], the Seymore Butts Gaper Ass Masturbator, and the Seymour Butts Ass Tray has been a big one.” Smokers take note: with this unique novelty, you can extinguish your butt in a butt hole. Just watch your ash, pal!
Martsolf continues. “We have the waterproof vibrator with interchangeable heads. I’ve got the Pink Heart Strap-On made of glass. It’s hollow, and they actually blow in 24-karat gold that gives it the color. And we have these fabulous Playgirl massage oils and cock rings.” She points to a pliable rubber model of a woman on her knees from the Seymore Butts line. “This is a masturbator, it’s called From her Ass to Her Mouth. She takes it both ways.” Let’s not forget the vibrators. There’s “the Black on Black Roto-Cock that fits into a rotating base,” she explains. And, with a nod to racial sensitivity, they “have it in black, white and Latino.” Does she personally test these products? “If I feel like it,” admits Martsolf. “But if I tried them all, I’d be tired.”
Lunch time is almost over, and folks are coming into the hall, arriving on the shuttle from the ANE show. Next year, there will be no need for a shuttle as the two shows unite under one roof, creating one big happy novelty family.
