MELBOURNE, Australia—Adultex 2018, Australia’s largest annual adult B2B trade exhibition, concluded last Friday, May 4, after three days showcasing the latest and most innovative products from the world’s leading manufacturers of adult toys, lingerie, lubricants, sexual wellness products and novelty items.
Now in its 14th year, Adultex 2018 was co-sponsored by Pipedream and CalExotics and held at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas, attracting 35 exhibitors and hosting over 170 guests.
“We are thrilled with the overwhelming response we had from vendors participating and customers attending Adultex 2018," said a spokesperson for the show.
Kicking off proceedings was the “Welcome White Party,” sponsored by CalExotics’ new range “California Dreaming”. A highlight and crowd pleaser at the welcome event was the Lingerie Fashion Show, highlighting the latest lingerie pieces provided by Seven ‘til Midnight, Baci and Envy.
During Adultex, two industry forums were presented. The first focused on sexual wellness and was facilitated by Dr. Sally Cockburn, known in the media also as “Dr Feelgood,” Australia's leading health communicator. Panel members participating in the forum were pjur’s CEO and founder Alexander Giebel; Sunny Rodgers, a Certified Clinical Sexologist and professional sex coach at Pipedream; and Lupe Martinez of CalExotics. This forum discussed how the growth of the sexual wellness category is changing the adult retail landscape.
The second forum was again facilitated by Dr. Sally Cockburn and focused on how to grow a business, what issues are currently facing adult retail, and how do retailers best communicate with tech savvy customers. The panel members on the Business Forum were founder and Managing Director of COTR, Inc. Alicia Sinclair; Andy Green, President and Founder of X-Gen; Briana Honz-Watkins of Pipedream; and Roger Sheldon-Collins, General Manager of CalVista.
The forums allowed all panel members and the audience to discuss the links between sexual well-being, and the everyday issues that are faced in the adult industry.
The annual Adultex Awards were presented at the '70s style Disco Glam Party, sponsored by Pipedream. A highlight of the event was the unveiling of Kitty and Carmen, Pipedream’s Ultimate Fantasy Dolls, as this was the first opportunity for all Adultex delegates to view the dolls "in the flesh." This themed party also featured a DJ spinning '70s disco tunes, a photo booth and a fun interactive '70s game show that was enjoyed by all, thus making this the most memorable Adultex party ever.
Adultex 2018 Award Categories and winners were:
Best Fetish Range: Sex & Mischief by Sportsheets
Best LGBTI Range: Shi Shi Range by NS Novelties
Best Lubrication or Lotion Range: pjur Love Range by pjur
Best Lingerie Range: Seven ‘til Midnight
Best Marketing: Screaming O
Best New Product: The Cowgirl by COTR, Inc
Best Female Product: Range Amour by Jopen
Best Male Product Range: Main Squeeze by Doc Johnson
Best Product Packaging: Mini Marvels by CalExotics
Best Novelty/Game Product: A Year of Sex Card Game by Kheper Games
Best Sexual Health & Wellness/Product Range: pjur MED by pjur
Best Female Product: Zumio Classic by Zumio
Best Male Product: Hydromax X30 Wide Boy by Bathmate
Most Innovative Product: InsideOut by Womanizer
Best Luxury Toy Range: LELO
Company of the Year: Pipedream
Customers Choice Award: Pipedream
Service to the Industry: Andy Green, X-Gen
The “Service to the Industry” winner was Andy Green from X-Gen, who has been in the industry for over 20 years. Green left the industry for a few years, and then came back in 2009 to start a new business X-Gen. Like most businesses, it started small, then over the past nine years, it grew to employ more than 20 people, while manufacturing award-winning brands.
“Andy Green is a well-deserved winner of our fourth Adultex 'Service to the Industry' Award. The response from all attendees was overwhelming when Andy received the award,” said Roger Sheldon-Collins, General Manager of CalVista. “Adultex continues to be the premier adult tradeshow in the southern hemisphere and we look forward to hosting our 15th Adultex next year! We have a big job on our hands to top this year’s Adultex, but planning has already commenced to make Adultex 2019 bigger and better."
For more information, contact [email protected].
