NEW YORK, N.Y.—The Adult Novelty Manufacturer Expo (ANME Founders Show) and novelty trade publication StorErotica Magazine have announced the return of the 19th Annual StorErotica (SE) Awards. The ceremony will take place July 14, at ANME’s longtime home, the Marriott Airport Hotel in Burbank, California.
Making her debut as the event’s host is COTR sales director and StorErotica contributing columnist Kimberly Faubel.
"I'm excited to host the SE Awards this summer—mostly because it was the only way to guarantee I will not be asked to host anything ever again. All joking aside, the SE awards mean a great deal to many people and I'm honored to help recognize the hardworking folks in our industry. Keeping morale up is so important, perhaps now more than ever, so let's come together for a quick and mostly painless StorErotica Awards Show during the 30th ANME,” Faubel said.
Founded in 2007, the StorErotica Awards honor excellence across pleasure products and adult retail, with winners determined by votes from StorErotica Magazine readers.
The 2026 program features 18 returning categories, including Pleasure Product Company of the Year, Distributor of the Year, BDSM/Fetish Company of the Year, Boutique Brand of the Year, Lubricant Company of the Year, New Product of the Year, Account Executive of the Year, Foreign Manufacturer of the Year, Brand Ambassador of the Year, and two Retailer of the Year awards (independent and chain).
A pre-nomination ballot will be available in May. Following the Memorial Day holiday, the final ballot will be distributed after nomination votes are tabulated.
“Celebrating our partners and peers is incredibly important to us at SE, and we extend our continued gratitude to the founders and the ANME team, led by Lacy Empkey, for what promises to be another exceptional evening,” said COTR head of sales and marketing Kristofer Kay.
As in previous years, ANME attendees are invited to the SE Awards reception outside the Marriott’s City Ballroom at 6 p.m., with the awards presentation beginning promptly at 7 p.m.
“The 30th anniversary of ANME isn’t just another trade show, it’s a reunion 30 years in the making,” commented Empkey. “It’s a full-circle moment for an industry that has grown up together, celebrating where we started, how far we’ve come, and the relationships and legacy brands that built this community. Paired with the StorErotica Awards, it becomes something even bigger—an opportunity to honor excellence while bringing everyone back together in a meaningful, exciting way. This year is about connection, celebration, and what’s next.”
New for 2026, COTR will host the “Pink Carpet” pre-show experience. COTR founder and CEO Alicia Sinclair will lead in-person interviews and create social media content with nominees and attendees.
Pleasure product manufacturer COTR, Inc. is the parent company of brands including b-Vibe, Le Wand and The Cowgirl.
For more event information, visit Storerotica.com. To receive an official ballot, email Kay at [email protected].
