LAS VEGAS - After a bustling day of show-floor schmoozing and a slew of educational seminars (see Mark Kerne's article "Storerotica Seminars Address Intellectual Property, Theft ... and the War on Sex" for full coverage), Storerotica kicked into high gear as the crème de la crème of novelty and lingerie distributors, manufacturers and retailers repaired to the prestigious Sapphire Gentlemen's Club for the very first Storerotica Awards. Presented by Teeze and Adult Store Buyer magazines, the inaugural event was sponsored by Vivid Video and Club Jenna, and hosted by Gina Lynn and Tera Wray. Award winners were chosen based on votes from the readers of ASB and Teeze.
The informal ceremony, scheduled to begin at 9 p.m., got under way at 10:30 p.m. with a rousing intro from Teeze/ASB co-publisher John Cornetta, who then handed the reins to Gina Lynn and Tera Wray. Lynn presented the first award of the night to Dreamgirl International for "Risque Lingerie Manufacturer of the Year."
Other lingerie winners included G World Collections for "Cutting Edge Manufacturer of the Year," Leg Avenue for "Sexy Costumer Manufacturer of the Year" and Shirley of Hollywood for "Plus Size Manufacturer of the Year." The "Overall Lingerie Manufacturer of the Year" award went to International Intimates, and was accepted by a very dapper Elan Rofe.
Forplay's Houman Salem took the trophy for "Dancewear/Exotic Wear Manufacturer of the Year," and sexy shoe/accessory manufacturer Pleaser USA walked away with the "Accessories of the Year" award.
When it came time to hand out the awards for the best lingerie retail stores, Romantic Adventures of Stateline, Nev., took the honors in the category for stores smaller than 2,000 square feet, and The Red Door in Charlotte, N.C., won the award for stores larger than 2,000 square feet. "Best Store Chain" overall went to PeeKay, and owner Phyllis Heppenstahl was there to accept the award. Bill Murphy of Fairvilla was on hand to graciously accept the "Favorite Store Owner" award.
In an upset victory in the "Best Adult Store Under 2,000 Square Feet" category, Dallas' own Condoms to Go took top honors, and owner Sara Lee Goff could not have been more thrilled. Not as surprising but equally deserved was Hustler Hollywood's triumph in the category for stores larger than 2,000 square feet. Frank K. of IVD/East Coast News accepted the award on behalf of Jimmy Flynt, who, Frank said, had "drank a little [too] much milk that evening and wasn't feeling well."
Flanked by Wicked contract stars Jessica Drake and Carmen Hart, Wicked Pictures' National Sales Director Bonnie Kail accepted the award for "Adult Movie Company of the Year," commenting that she has "the best job in the world." No one in the audience could disagree.
California Exotic Novelties was honored with "Adult Product Manufacturer of the Year," and Austin Ferdinand and Scott Stein took the stage to accept the Plexiglas trophy. "Adult Product Distributor of the Year" went to IVD/East Coast News, spurring owner Frank K. to say that it's the first award his company has ever won. Or maybe not, he admitted, but "it sure sounds more dramatic." He thanked his customers for the company's continued success and, in a moment not unlike a "Saturday Night Live" ending, called his staff onto the stage to share his appreciation.
Keith Caggiano and Justin Ross, best friends and co-owners of The Screaming O, were thrilled with the "Innovator of the Year" award, which shows just how far they've come since inventing their first product in a garage back in 2005. They now have more than 15 items that have proven to be best-sellers.
Another equally inspiring duo is Gene and Susan Newton, the owners of Elegant Moments. Always ahead of the curve, they made Elegant Moments one of the leading wholesale lingerie manufacturers by being among the first to also offer adult toys in their line. This kind of visionary thinking is just one of the reasons the Newtons also were the first individuals inducted into the new Storerotica Hall of Fame, a fitting climax on this very special evening.
Photos of some of the evening's winners can be seen at http://avn.com/index.cfm?objectid=70F9F7E9-E867-F61A-E87CA5481612EB9C.