2017 has been a year of growth and evolution for Sex Expo, formerly the Sexual Health Expo (SHE). After a highly successful SHE L.A. 2017 show in Downtown Los Angeles in February (which boasted a keynote address by Dr. Ruth Westheimer), organizers for the bicoastal, biannual event announced in early March that it would be changing its name and rebranding as Sex Expo — and Sex Expo New York 2017, presented by Chaturbate and set for Sept. 23-24 at the Brooklyn Expo Center, will be its first East Coast show since the rebranding.
As Sex Expo, the consumer-oriented event will continue to feature top sexperts such as Reid Mihalko, Rachel Kramer Bussel and Ducky Doolittle, exhibitors from major pleasure product companies and workshops on a wide array of sexual topics. Mihalko, in fact, will serve as master of ceremonies for Sex Expo New York 2017. But as Sex Expo, the former Sexual Health Expo is being broadened and expanded — and an even greater variety of erotic activity will be addressed.
This will be The Pleasure Chest’s third year and sixth show curating the educational content for the Sex Expo, and we’re proud of this event and our partnership. Each year, the Expo just gets better and better, and we look forward to many more in the future.
“The event has evolved from a mostly sex-ed event to one that will showcase a plethora of sex-related offers as well as welcoming kink communities, camming and ancillary goods and services,” explained Sara Ramirez, show producer for Sex Expo and associate publisher of Sexual Health Magazine. “Due to overwhelming demand, for the first time it will be held at the Brooklyn Expo Center — which is triple the size of our previous location.”
As the official sex education sponsor for Sex Expo New York 2017, The Pleasure Chest will present workshops on a wealth of topics (from BDSM, anal play and erotic writing to family planning). The national adult retail chain is no stranger to Sex Expo; The Pleasure Chest served as sex education sponsor for SHE L.A. 2017 and has been sponsoring Sex Expo’s workshops ever since the event debuted at the Sofitel in West Hollywood in January 2015.
Sarah Tomchesson, head of business operations for The Pleasure Chest, told XBIZ, “We’re excited to once again be curating and sponsoring the educational component of the Sex Expo. The Pleasure Chest believes that pleasure-based education is integral to a healthy and fulfilling sex life, which is why we’ve partnered with some of the country’s top sex educators to present workshops on a variety of topics. We’ve assembled a diverse selection of educators, authors and speakers to discuss a wide range of subjects, kinks, communities and more.”
Tomchesson added, “This will be The Pleasure Chest’s third year and sixth show curating the educational content for the Sex Expo, and we’re proud of this event and our partnership. Each year, the Expo just gets better and better, and we look forward to many more in the future.”
Founded in 1971, The Pleasure Chest is one of the oldest adult retail chains in the U.S. and has brick-and-mortar stores in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia. The Pleasure Chest, in recent years, has expanded into ecommerce with online sales at ThePleasureChest.com — and the chain’s broad selection ranges from vibrators, dildos, BDSM toys, condoms and lubricants to adult DVDs and sex education books.
Chaturbate, presenting sponsor for Sex Expo New York 2017, is a top erotic webcam platform — and Chaturbate’s booth at the show will feature some of its most successful models. Founded in 2011, Chaturbate offers an affiliate program, ad traffic sales and an abundance of tools for webmasters and broadcasters.
Shirley Lara, chief of operations for Chaturbate, told XBIZ, “There is an overwhelming sense of community on Chaturbate that is not seen on most cam sites; this becomes obvious when we have a booth at an event like Sex Expo. Everyone that meets our broadcasters walks away with a greater understanding of the benefits camming can bring to the average person, besides earning a very nice income.”
Lara continued, “It’s our pleasure to sponsor Sex Expo 2017, as the mission of this unique convention is the same as our company’s goal: helping people find their personal road to pleasure and opening a dialog that allows sex and sexuality to be accepted as central to a healthy, passionate, fulfilling self-image and life.”
Other sponsors for Sex Expo New York 2017 include platinum sponsor Jasmin (a major camming and video chat platform) and diamond sponsors Doc Johnson and JOPEN.
Gabor Gaspar, business operations manager for Jasmin, told XBIZ, “The reason why we want to represent our brand at the Sex Expo is to enlighten the public about the fact that being live on a webcam is not a taboo anymore. And when the models work on our platform, it is the classiest way to earn money in the adult industry today.”
Founded in 1976, Doc Johnson has been manufacturing sex toys for 41 years and will be featuring an assortment of products in its booth. Erica Braverman, PR and communications specialist for Doc Johnson, told XBIZ, “Following a successful showing at SHE L.A. earlier this year, Doc Johnson is very excited to be sponsoring and exhibiting at the 2017 Sex Expo NY show in September as a diamond sponsor once again.”
Braverman explained, “We have been exhibiting at the Sex Expo since the beginning, and have always found this to be a worthwhile event. But this upcoming show’s centralized placement in Brooklyn is particularly exciting, as this location tends to attract a broader, more diverse audience that spans a wide range of demographics. The close proximity to the media organizations and journalists of New York City is also a huge selling point for us.”
The Brooklyn show will mark JOPEN’s first time exhibiting at one of Sex Expo’s East Coast events. Founded by Susan Colvin and based in Southern California, JOPEN is a sister company of CalExotics — a major name in the sex toys/pleasure products industry.
“We are truly thrilled to be exhibiting at Sex Expo NY for the first time,” JOPEN Brand Manager Robin Stewart told XBIZ. “JOPEN had such a terrific experience at the Los Angeles consumer event.”
Pleasure products from five other diamond sponsors — The Rabbit Company, Drilldo, Bodywand (which is manufactured by the Horsham, Penn.-based Xgen Products), OVO Lifestyle Toys and Baci Lingerie — will be combined in goodie bags that Sex Expo attendees will receive. The Rabbit Company and Drilldo will share a booth in Brooklyn, while Bodywand, OVO and Baci will share a separate booth.
Other Sex Expo NY sponsors include Satisfyer — which is sponsoring the event’s cocktail reception — registration and ticket sponsor We-Vibe and gold sponsor Sybian, which is sponsoring the photo booth. Sybian, founded in 1987, has been manufacturing its famous sex machine for 30 years.
“Sybian is still the most sophisticated sexual aid available on the market today,” a Sybian spokesperson said. “Sybian’s unrivaled, powerful design and variety of attachments enable users to heighten their sexual responsiveness and achieve maximum pleasure.”
Standard Innovation is the manufacturer of the popular We-Vibe couples and solo vibrators — including the We-Vibe Sync, the We-Vibe Classic, We Vibe 3 and We-Vibe 4 models along with Thrill and Rave. A We-Vibe spokesperson said, “Our world-class engineers and industrial designers work closely with sexual wellness experts, doctors and consumers to design and develop intimate products that work in sync with the human body.”
Satisfyer will be featuring its line of high-quality vibrators at the Sex Expo, including the Satisfyer Pro 2.
“The Satisfyer Pro 2 truly is the most amazing toy in the world and a pioneer in revolutionizing the sexual mind of women,” a Satisfyer spokesperson said. “Our patented, waterproof and hygienic technology provides a touch-free stimulation through tingling pulsation and pressure waves."
The Satisfyer Pro 2 Next Generation guarantees explosive pleasure sensations with its innovative pressure wave stimulation, a representative indicated. With 11 programs, the high-tech gimmick offers contact-free enjoyment. The Pro 2 Next Generation is waterproof and recharges faster, yet has the same look and feel of the original Satisfyer family of toys. Other Satisfyer models include the Pro Penguin, the Satisfyer Pro Deluxe, Satisfyer 1 and Satisfyer 2.
“Our returning sponsors’ support and feedback has been invaluable, encouraging us to continually refine the event in order to further broaden its appeal — which is a win-win for everyone,” Ramirez stressed.
Companies that have exhibited at Sex Expo in the past and will continue to do so this year in Brooklyn include Satisfyer, We-Vibe, Bad Dragon, Tantriss, Sybian, Blewit, b-Vibe, Chakrubs, Dame Products, Kama Sutra, It’s the Bomb, Vibratex and Blush Novelties. Sex Expo New York has always attracted a variety of exhibitors, but the exhibitor lineup in Brooklyn this year will be even more far-reaching with a wide assortment of pleasure product manufacturers, retailers and sexual wellness specialists.
“By bringing in a wider variety of exhibitors, we anticipate that the upcoming Sex Expo NY will bring in an even more diverse crowd,” Ramirez asserted. “We also will be adding entertainment elements such as stage shows, contests, raffles and more.”
Ramirez continued, “After putting on SHE for several years, we came to the conclusion that ultimately, we should be inclusive of all things sex and to offer our diverse attendee base the most varied learning experience by educating them on everything that the world of sex has to offer in terms of sexual wellness, pleasure and entertainment. Regardless of the show’s evolution, we will continue to place emphasis on sex-positivity — which has been our founding principle.”
