LONDON — This week's XBIZ EU international digital media conference, presented by Adult Webmaster Empire, was a resounding success, with many top industry execs praising organizers for its lineup of rich educational sessions and robust business networking opportunities.
The conference was attended by the adult industry's executives and entrepreneurs from Europe, U.S. and Canada at the stylish Radisson Bloomsbury Edwardian Hotel in central London.
XBIZ EU offered attendees standing-room-only crowds that listened to an array of lively lineup of educational sessions covering live cams and dating, online payment processing and the adult mobile space, as well as the state of the international market. The conference also included a special keynote by Payserve CEO Siep Kuppens on content piracy.
In addition, the conference offered technology workshops from Adult Webmaster Empire and Mansion Productions, as well as daily speed-networking sessions.
As evenings set in, the pace of the show continued its energetic pace. XBIZ EU included the invite-only Elite Dinner — hosted by SexEntertain and sponsored by AWEmpire, Paxum and Commercegate — and the XBIZ EU Farewell Pub Social.
And AWE's Welcome Reception and CCBill's happy hour both offered bountiful opportunities for networking opportunities. So did XBIZ EU's bustling "Mix & Meet Market + Happy Hour" where attendees learned about the best and newest business solutions on the market in a one-on-one environment.
XBIZ EU also entertained at an "Opening Bash" at Jewel Piccadilly, a renowned celebrity hotspot located in the heart of Piccadilly Circus, where live bondage shows captivated attendees.
And on its final day, XBIZ EU attendees said bon voyage on the London Eye, the enormous ferris wheel on the Thames that offers stunning views of the city, including Parliament, Big Ben, the Tower of London and more.
XBIZ EU drew praise from the most influential executives in the industry. Here are their remarks on the show:
"It was a great and productive show. Too bad it didn't last longer."
— Adult Webmaster Empire's Douglas Richter
"Epoch would like to congratulate XBIZ on another successful show."
— Epoch's Harmik Gharapetian
"It was beyond expectations. It was a good mix of business, networking and fun. And I think you guys do an amazing job as always. I think the XBIZ EU show brings the American audience together with the British audience, and it's such a big market here that allows it to combine the two to understand much more how the two countries and two regions can work together. There's tremendous value in that for us as a business on both continents."
— CCBill's Gary Jackson
"It was my first time at XBIZ's London show. We did a substantial amount of business at the show. I'm looking forward to next year's XBIZ EU."
— AdultCentro's Stan DaMan
"XBIZ EU is a fantastic place to meet European sponsors, and I think there is a perfect balance at the show between doing business and having fun. There is no time wasted at this show. The quality of attendees was great and business got done. I think if you don't come to XBIZ EU, you are missing out."
— Manwin's Yannick Ferrerri
"CommerceGate was excited to be a part of XBIZ EU. The show brings together so many clients and colleagues."
— Commercegate's Bjorn Skarlen
"It was very well attended with qualified people."
— NETbilling's Mitch Farber
I thought the XBIZ show was big success. It was my first time attending and I was really pleased with how everything turned out. As one of the major sponsors of the event, we obviously had high expectations for what we intended to gain from the exposure we had at your event ... and our expectations were truly met. Alec, and the rest of the XBIZ team were so personable and easily approachable during the madness of the event, and that really meant a lot to us ... considering how hectic it must have been for all of you. Thanks again ... and looking forward to the next XBIZ event!
— Affil4You's Joey Gabra
"We had a great show. Great meetings."
— PussyCash's Adam Schurr
"Fantastic show. Congrats to XBIZ on a great start to the European event schedule."
— Orbital Pay's Stephen Bugbee
"The show was fantastic. I think the programming of the sessions is one of the most valuable things that you guys are able bring to these events. There are underlying connections between different segments. I think it takes an event like this to get certain individuals on panels to expose those business opportunities to the market. I think you guys do a very good job in getting it all together."
— CCBill's Laurie Biviano
"XBIZ is one of my favorite conferences as it usually attracts the type of person who is more interested in the financial rewards of the industry rather than what I term the 'hobbyists.' The London show provided both quality as well as sufficient numbers of delegates to make it a very productive two days. Despite the fact that I have been several years in the industry, I met a substantial amount of new potentially lucrative contacts as well as seeing some old faces and committing to rejuvenating previous relationships. The speed networking is a fantastic concept and this year provided quality contacts that I believe I can convert into revenue generating relationships."
— Ben Dover Productions' Julian Becker
"Great show. Seminars were informative and the networking was outstanding."
— Video Secrets' Jeff Wilson
"Once again XBIZ put on a great show in London. However long you have been in the adult industry you can always learn something new and pick up some new ideas. I found points raised in the seminars interesting and will be looking at areas of my own business in a different light. As always it is great to meet up with old friend and make some new business contacts that I am sure will turn in to friends over the future. Networking at its best."
— JCaz and AITA's Jason Maskell
"As our industry continues to adapt to the challenges it is facing, having a forum where we can network with our peers, forge new contacts and learn something new is more important now than ever. The XBIZ events live up to their pre-show hype, and always deliver. The seminars were well attended and covered a broad spectrum of relevant and interesting topics. XBIZ EU is a welcome addition to our calendars, and fills the void that preceded it. Long may it continue!"
— MyPhoneSite.co.uk's Marc Jarrett