LOS ANGELES — More than 2,000 industry professionals from all walks of the industry attended last week’s XBIZ 360 event series that featured seven distinct events — all of which received unprecedented positive reviews from attendees.
Held in unison, XBIZ 360 events dedicated to the industry’s core market segments — digital media, adult film, pleasure products and retail — kicked off Wednesday, Jan. 22 at the industry-exclusive W Hollywood Hotel and culminated with the largest 2014 XBIZ Awards show to date on the evening of Friday, Jan 24.
XBIZ 360 attendees have offered the following remarks:
Digital Media Market
“The new and improved XBIZ 360 surpassed all of our expectations. The new venue at the W hotel was booked exclusively for attendees which provided a private and trendy new setting for industry members to get business done.”
— Ardy, CECash
“XBIZ 360 was one of the most wonderful and productive shows I have been to since 2007. The W venue was perfect. The folks attending were high caliber. The seminars were spot on and well done. And, the awards show was a well-oiled machine that was entertaining, focused and ran like a clock to get it done in 2.5 hours. Well done, XBIZ! You really pulled this one off in grand style and the show was amazing in all respects.”
— Colin Rowntree, CEO, Wasteland.com
“We wanted to thank XBIZ on behalf of the entire team and ownership for another wonderful show, the organization was immaculate, the seminars were great and lastly, the awards were done so well and in such a great timely manner. The entire Epoch team enjoyed the show and was able to meet lot of existing clients and start some new fruitful relationships.”
— Harmik G., Epoch
"This year’s XBIZ 360 was an outstanding event and a first-class operation that certainly raises the bar for future industry venues."
— Gregory Clayman, President, Flirt4Free.com
“I’ve been attending the XBIZ shows since some of the first shows. This year was by far the best XBIZ show I have ever been to. One of the highlights of this event was the Mix and Meet, which was the most productive networking event I can recall. The icing on the cake was the location of this show at the W Hotel in Hollywood, one of my personal favorite hotels in L.A.”
— Jeff Dillon, VP of business development & marketing, Gamelink
“XBIZ 360 was without a doubt, one of the best industry shows I've attended. It drew a great mix of vendors and attendees and the W hotel in Hollywood was the perfect venue.”
— AJ Hall, ElevatedX
"XBIZ 360 was a hit! The hotel was perfect, seminars were top notch, socializing was classy and effective, and the awards were spectacular!"
— Brad Mitchell, CEO, MojoHost
“The surprise of the 2014 convention scene so far was XBIZ 360 at W Hollywood. Lavish and well organized with popular centralized lounge bar meeting area made a fantastic event for us.”
— Juicy Jay, CEO, JuicyAds
“XBIZ 360 was a really great show! The education program was timely and informative and the events were really great for networking and exploring new business opportunities. By far the best organized and professional of the shows this year.”
— Fabian, CEO, Fuckbook.com
“I've been attending adult industry conferences and conventions for almost 20 years. XBIZ 360 has continued to improve year after year, and I can now say that it is the single most important trade show that my company attends.”
— Brian Shuster, Utherverse
"One of the best industry events we've been to in awhile! The location and environment was perfect to get a lot done in a short amount of time."
— Jesse Adams, MiKandi
“XBIZ 360 this year was held in an amazing hotel. The organization was above all expectations and the Mix & Meet Market was one of the most successful ones over the last few years.”
— Shay E., ImLive
Adult Retail Market
“XBIZ 360 was a great experience, especially when compared to other shows. The staff was on the spot with every detail, and the participants felt pampered. The quality and privacy of the one-on-one meetings were really helpful to enhancing business relationships. Overall, it really surpassed other events by far.”
— Dennis Paradise, Paradise Marketing
“Thank you XBIZ for providing the most informative, educational, and all-encompassing trade experience for our entire company. Our web, retail, purchasing, wholesaling, and educational departments all left feeling enriched, energized, and as a result likely more profitable!”
— Joel Kaminsky, president, Good Vibrations
“Thank you so much for inviting Honey's Place to attend the XBIZ 360 and XBIZ Retreat. It was clear how much effort was put into making this show a success. There was something for everyone which allowed the different parts of the industry to come together. The format of the XBIZ Retreat portion of the show allowed the vendors and attendees to build new relationships and strengthen the ones that we already had established; this was my favorite part of the show.”
— Bonnie Feingold, owner, Honey’s Place
“The XBIZ 360 experience was a real pleasure from beginning to end. The appointments went smoothly. The evening events were great and the XBIZ team outdid themselves in professionalism and helpfulness. The XBIZ Awards show was the best awards show EVER.”
— Larry Garland, founder/CEO, Eldorado
“XBIZ 360 is becoming the premier industry event. The content, particularly the keynotes, showcased leaders across the industry and sparked inspiring dialogue as well as insights into the future of the industry. As a retailer, the event is great opportunity to connect with our partners as well as strategize with colleagues across the industry.”
— Sarah Tomchesson, director of business development and strategy, The Pleasure Chest
“The best thing for me was the chance to connect one-on-one with so many of my peers. The panels and keynotes launched some great conversations with vendors, colleagues and competitors. The space this year was more conducive to spontaneous private conversations than last year — I really like the W Hollywood’s two story space with the lounge. I will definitely be back next year.”
— Rachel Venning, co-founder, Babeland
“It was a pleasure to attend this intimate show in Hollywood. It was a great way to spend quality time with vendors in a beautiful environment. The combination of the 360 conferences, the awards and the Retreat made this event very effective and efficient. I would like to congratulate and thank XBIZ for putting together their best event ever.”
— Chris Bakker, commercial director and co-founder, Eropartner
“I have been involved in planning the IVD and ECN customer events for the last 17 years and therefore have an appreciation for the amount of effort and detail required of your team to coordinate such an event so seamlessly. The venue and format were conducive to conducting business – the meetings were just long enough, very private and in a informal setting.”
— Ruth Milchman, product liaison, East Coast News
“The seminars are great because XBIZ really does do a great job gathering some of the biggest adult product players in the industry. Usually I feel like conferences are filled with newbies where as this one has so many of the established big guys. As someone who has been in the industry for 19 years, I can still feel like a newbie in those seminars. Also, there are a great variety of voices from store chain owners, to online store owners, to distributors, to manufacturers.”
— “Sex Toy Dave" Levine, owner, CNV.com
“Thank you for a well-organized and efficient event, this format works well for reviewing new products for distribution consideration and is great for networking in the industry, to share best practices and collaborate.”
— Scott Dantis, director of sales and marketing, Williams Trading
“The XBIZ 360 event held at the W Hotel in Hollywood was a great learning experience and also an all around good time. Meeting with newcomers to this industry and getting a sneak peek at the products to come is definitely a plus.”
— Megan Swartz, manager/buyer, Déjà vu
"This year’s XBIZ 360 was an all around winner as far as I’m concerned. Having representatives and business leaders from every facet of the industry in one place really allowed for unique growth opportunities. You just don’t get that anywhere else."
— Ken H., ECN
Pleasure Products Market
“XBIZ 360 was a top-notch, well-organized event. The structure of the one-on-one meetings, with buyers from across the country, allows for opportunities to help grow each other’s businesses and strengthen key relationships. Thank you XBIZ for bringing us together.”
— Danny Osadca, CEO, Standard Innovation
“A refreshing venue for open and engaging dialogue about the future of our industry — already looking forward to next year!”
— Michael Topolovac, CEO, Crave
“I found the XBIZ 360 event extremely valuable. I sat in on the Internet retail seminar and learned from other people's mistakes and experiences. That alone was worth the trip.”
— Tom Nardone, president, PriveCo
“This event was a great way to spend quality one-on-one time with new and existing clients. The venue was excellent and the events were by far the best. I truly enjoyed this show,”
— Alicia Sinclair, VP worldwide sales and business development, Jimmyjane
"For being the third show in a row, XBIZ truly saved the best for last. Any good brand takes the time to garner feedback and make improvements and XBIZ is a leading example by creating an intimate environment that sparks valuable business with leaders in the industry. I'm excited to see this format evolve in the hands of people that truly care."
— CT Schenk, CEO, Aneros
“For XBIZ to include the Free Speech Coalition on the panel topics, shows how inclusive XBIZ is in our industry and really raises the bar for a true trade event in the adult industry.”
— Tom Stewart, founder/CEO, Sportsheets
“Thank you for hosting another well-planned and executed XBIZ Retreat. We enjoyed the experience and plan to attend again in the future. The hotel was very accommodating and the suites were first class. Overall, the total experience was very conducive to getting business done!”
— Randy Alvstad, general manager, XR Brands
“The complete event was exceptional at every turn. It was a terrific platform for business especially for us here at SOBO/ Rock On. I can't remember a show when everyone from conversation to social media had this much glowing praise and they are all right.”
— Keith Caggiano, president, SOBO Products
“XBIZ 360 was a well-rounded event, full of excitement and business opportunities.”
— Cariel Cohen, Nori Fields
“We truly enjoyed the XBIZ Retreat and are very grateful for the opportunity. We got to meet the key players in the industry and this has big value for the future of our company. It was very well organized and we are looking forward to coming back next year.”
— Robert Doornbos, Kiiroo
“Once again, the XBIZ team knocks it out of the park, bringing business, education, play and networking together under one roof at the hip W hotel In Hollywood, Calif. XBIZ has raised the bar and evolved the industry into a more modern and effective way of doing business.”
— Mara Epstein, director of sales, Maia Toys
“This year’s XBIZ awards events were very nicely orchestrated.”
— Ron Braverman, CEO and Founder, Doc Johnson
"It was an amazing week for me personally after winning two major awards, and I would like to thank the Free Speech Coalition and XBIZ for making it happen.”
— Nick Orlandino, Chairman and CEO, Pipedream Products
"I was surprised how well the XBIZ format worked. I've done 1,000 trade shows, but never one with speed networking and one-on-one meetings. I was able to connect with people on a much more personal level and really get to know some faces that I've seen at shows but never had the chance to talk to. We wrote some big orders and look forward to lots of follow-up. Highly recommended!"
— Zach Goode, director of sales, Hustler Lingerie
“On behalf of myself and ownership of Carrashield Labs I would like to thank the entire staff of XBIZ for a fantastic conference. My participation in the Retreat portion was so rewarding. This past Retreat was the best one for Divine 9 and attending the past two Retreats have helped me pave the way to our success to date.”
— Jeff Hawkins, director of sales, Carrashield Labs
"XBIZ Retreat was the perfect event format for us to attend at this stage of our new company and products,"
— Deborah Semer, CEO, Passionate Playground
“This was my second time attending the XBIZ Retreat and it seems I'll be coming back yearly.”
— Brian Sloan, CEO, Very Intelligent E-commerce
Adult Film Market
“XBIZ 360 was a meticulously organized, lively gathering of the industry's who's who. The panel I participated on was extremely insightful, thanks to porn luminaries such as Kelly Holland, Jules Jordan, and John Stagliano. Overall an absolute success, and a positive experience that I'm looking forward to repeating in the years to come.”
— Axel Braun, producer/director
“In these days of industry consolidation and reformation the XBIZ 360 conference is a great venue for industry decision-makers to discuss business. The quality of the business peers working the variety of conferences creates an educational and profitable context to digest new information, meet more prospects, and learn to navigate the challenges of today's marketplace.”
— Spike Goldberg, CEO, Homegrown Video
"Kudos to XBIZ for putting together a wonderful program. It was an exciting mix between business, politics and pleasure. I can't wait till next year!"
— Nina Hartley, activist/performer/producer
“Our industry continues to be on the cutting edge of entertainment, Internet, payment processing and technology and our industry leaders need a serious business-to-business environment without the pressure of our fans. XBIZ 360 provides that. As the Managing Director of Penthouse I found the combination of panel discussions I attended and one-on-one meetings I had to be invaluable as I head into an exciting year. Thanks XBIZ!”
— Kelly Holland, managing director, Penthouse
“This year’s XBIZ 360 event surpassed all expectations. XBIZ held nothing back with the Hot List Rooftop party, in cooperation with LATATA agency's with bringing dozens of adult stars. It was certainly a fun and exciting evening for all in attendance. The XBIZ Awards was also a very enjoyable event that was filled with excitement. ATMLA and LATATA look forward to participating again next year.”
— Mark Schechter, owner, Adult Talent Managers (ATMLA)
“The XBIZ 360 conferences have become a reliable jump-starter for discourse about a range of subjects of interest to adult industry B2B professionals. What makes the conferences relevant is that the topics are being discussed by the very people involved—the participants and not just the spectators.”
— Christian Mann, general manager, Evil Angel
“Attending the XBIZ show left us feeling confident in our new ventures for 2014. It was a show for us to do business and gave us the opportunity to meet new systems we weren’t working with. This is a show I’ll look forward to for years to come.”
— Stuart Wall, vice president, Smash Pictures
“XBIZ knows how to do it right on every level.”
— Howard Levine, president of sales, Exile Distribution
"I am very impressed with the entire 360 conference plus the grand XBIZ Awards show. The XBIZ staff was at the top of their game and hit a major-league home run. I thought the entire week was fabulous and I offer my congratulations and thanks to XBIZ. Let's do it again next year."
— Will Ryder, producer/director
“I have been in the adult biz for 28 years, this show was one of the best.”
— Dan Quinn, owner, Smash Pictures
"I hope next year is just as exciting and I am allowed to participate in more stuff."
— James Deen, performer/director
"An absolute honor to be involved with this organization that continues to illustrate excellence in all of their platforms. Thank you Alec and all at XBIZ."
— Scott Taylor, president, New Sensations
"Whether as a counterpoint to the chaos of Vegas a week before or on its own, this year's XBIZ 360 at the W was fully contained and engaging from beginning to end. I thought the panels were expertly curated and I appreciated the thoughtful diversity of opinion. That the W seemed to be fully branded for the event reinforced the idea that adult is just business, no matter how fun it is."
— Gram Ponante, editor, Gamelink's NakedTruth blog
