LAS VEGAS – Sin City’s gloomy weather did not discourage the hordes of buyers and vendors that make the spring edition of the International Lingerie Show an annual must-attend event.
With sexy fashion in the limelight, complementary intimacy products are getting their fair share of attention. Along with long-established brands, several new manufacturers exhibited their wares.
“It’s our third time at the show and each year seems to get better and better for us,” Crave founder Ti Chang said. “It’s great to see new and familiar faces, and continue to build relationships.”
Linda Cox of Revel Body presented a prototype of its sonic vibrator featuring TrueSonic resonating motors.
“I wrote my first order within 15 minutes of the show starting,” Cox said. “Almost universally, the first words out of people’s mouths is ‘wow.’ Women with all levels of experience with vibrators have the same response. It’s confirmed that we’re on to something.”
Industry vet Mike Savage attended ILS as a newly added sales exec to the Komar Company team. He told XBIZ that in his new role, he is responsible for fine tuning the distributor’s sales team and is concentrating on implementing new software that will improve inventory tracking.
“I’ve known [Komar President] Mort Hyatt for a long time and met [his daughter] Adrienne and Mark a couple years,” Savage said. “I’m happy to attend ILS as my first show with Komar.”
Jopen Brand Manager Robin Stewart manned the company’s booth while other members of the team circulated through distributor booths and business meetings.
“I’m excited to return to ILS,” Stewart said, “the first time we unveiled the KEY range and now we’re back with our full product line and some newly added products such as our Stella Balls, which are all silicone and retail between $29-39.”
Among ILS’ longstanding exhibitors, Sinclair Institute showcased its range of health-focused, information based videos and pleasure products.
“We’ve been coming to ILS for 15 years,” said Rebecca Cook, Sinclair Institute director of marketing and wholesale. “We were among the first non-lingerie exhibitors and it allowed us the opportunity to open up communication. All of these products complement each other and our brand serves to transition to adult with doctor-endorsed products and packaging that’s both cosmetic and informative.”
ILS continues through Wednesday with this evening’s fashion show, slated for 6:15 p.m., among the event’s highlights.