BURBANK, Calif.—Once again it was Christmas in July, as pleasure product professionals brought out their new toys for the ANME Founders Show, held July 16-18 at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport in Burbank, Calif. Big booths by the five companies that created the show—CalExotics, Doc Johnson, Nasstoys, Pipedream Products and Topco—dominated the central space in the main ballroom, while dozens of other manufacturers filled up the rest of that hall as well as a tent outside and a smaller exhibit space off the hotel’s main lobby.
Check out photo galleries here and here for a rundown on some of the new products and collections, as well as some of the trends in new technology, design and color schemes. (Pictured above, clockwise from top left: Erica Braverman of Doc Johnson; the new Eden collection from CalExotics; the Xgen Products team; Paradise Marketing booth; Wicked Sensual Care's holiday-themed display; the Channel 1 Releasing team).
Attendees wandered the aisles, checking out the latest from the assembled exhibitors and then socializing at events in the evenings. AVN Media Network sponsored a cocktail party on Sunday that capped off the first full day of the show, serving up complimentary drinks and food as well as "Pleasure Pro" T-shirts and tank tops. (Click here for a gallery).
The final party was sponsored by Wicked Sensual Care, marking its fifth anniversary by serving guests delectable desserts and custom cocktails designed to taste like some of its most popular lube flavors. The guests also enjoyed playing with props in the photo booth and schmoozing with fellow pleasure pros and membrs of the Wicked team, which also included adult star Jessica Drake.
Earlier in the evening on Monday came the StorErotica Awards ceremony, hosted by certified sexologist Sunny Rodgers, brand ambassador for Pipedream Products, Jimmyjane and Sir Richard's. Following in the tradition of past StorErotica awards shows, Rodgers kept things loose and informal, commanding the guests to have a good time. "Every time I swear, you have to take a drink," she said.
A total of 21 awards were given out to a range of manufacturers, distributors and retailers. It was a particularly big night for both Pipedream's Nick Orlandino and the Doc Johnson team. Orlandino came up twice to accept awards for Jimmyjane (Luxury Line/Range of the Year) and Pipedream (Adult Game/Gag Gift Manufacturer of the Year). And Doc Johnson's Scott Watkins gave acceptance speeches for two honors: Fetish Company of the Year and Pleasure Product Company of the Year.
But the biggest presence of the night was undoubtedly the Eldorado Trading Company crew. First the company was honored for Marketing Campaign of the Year for its Elevate U program. Accepting on behalf of the team was marketing manager Allison Travers, who said, "This program is truly at the core of Eldorado's educational values," and added how proud the late Larry Garland, founder of the company, would have been to accept the award.
The crowd got a chance to hear more about Garland, a beloved figure who passed away in January, when his widow and son—Wanda and Preston Garland, who are acgtively involved in running Eldorado—addressed the crowd later in the evening.
Wanda thanked the crowd for "the outpouring of support shown to the Garland family. Larry loved this industry and he always thought of it as one big extended family."
Exclaming that Larry "always looked for the goodness in everyone," Wanda added, "We spent almost 40 years together as a couple, as a family and as a business. ... There certainly was never a dull moment. Larry led Eldorado with integrity and honesty, and so will we."
Their son, Preston, described Larry as "a role model and mentor to many people in this room." His father maintained good life/work balance, Preston said, conducting himself with integrity and honesty, whether as a customer, competitor or supplier. "I want to thank you all for remembering him tonight."
After that moving tribute, Rodgers paused for a moment before agaihn beginning to announce the rest of the winners, asking the audiece to take a moment to adopt an "attitude for gratitude."
"I'm grateful for having you here," she said.
Below is the full list of StorErotica Award winners:
Sexual Enhancement Company of the Year
pjur USA
Marketing Campaign of the Year
Elevate U by Eldorado
Male Pleasure Product of the Year
Fleshlight Launch Powered by Kiiroo
Body Care Product/Line of the Year
Hemp Seed by Earthly Body
LGBT Company of the Year
XR Brands/Tom of Finland
Brand Ambassador of the Year
Alicia Sinclair of b-Vibe
Boutique Brand of the Year
We-Vibe
Luxury Line/Range of the Year
Ascend by Jimmyjane
Adult Game/Gag Gift Manufacturer of the Year
Pipedream Products
BDSM Product of the Year
Scandal by CalExotics
Lubricant Company of the Year
System Jo
Fetish Company of the Year
Kink by Doc Johnson
Foreign Manufacturer of the Year
Lovehoney
New Product of the Year (International)
Partner by Satisfyer
New Product of the Year (Domestic)
Mimic by Clandestine Devices
SE's Consumer Choice Award (chosen by Kinkly.com readers)
Magic Wand Rechargeable by Vibratex
Retailer Favorite of the Year
Womanizer
Distributor of the Year
Entrenue
Independent Retailer of the Year
The Pleasure Chest
Retailer of the Year
Adam and Eve
Pleasure Product Company of the Year
Doc Johnson
