MIAMI — Last week’s XBIZ Retreat provided an unmatched opportunity to get up close and personal with the latest products from a wide variety of international pleasure products brands.
When it comes to XBIZ Retreat vendor suites, buyers rarely know what to expect when they walk through the doors. For some vendors, less is more — they may focus their weeklong presentations on a certain new product or line with a minimalistic table display where they get right down to business. Others opt for decking out their rooms in branding with multiple product samples and retailer displays.
COTR Inc. showcases its b-Vibe brand of anal toys.The Clandestine Devices suite offered a representation of the brand’s stylish aesthetic with décor that matched the company’s signature black and “seafoam” colors — which happened to go along perfectly with the suite’s already oceanic theme.
In the suite, Clandestine Devices’ Director of Operations Kim Faubel told XBIZ about a new version of the company’s flagship product, Mimic, that’s coming next month.
“It’s the same Mimic but it’s larger and more powerful,” she said, noting that the company also will debut the Mimic in a new color. Faubel also teased a new “conceptual” four-piece line that is slated for release next year. Retailers can also expect the Mimic’s packaging to change with a slimmer updated version coming soon.
London-based Nexus showcased its expansive selection of prostate massagers and anal plugs, as well as the company’s Femme line of vibrators for women. Other new products from Nexus include the Douche Pro, which is intended to provide prostate stimulation during cleaning.
Nexus Director Monique Carty also discussed a new collaboration with a fellow U.K. brand.
“Nexus is partnering with Doxy to produce silicone wand attachments,” Carty said. “We will also have a new product launch in October.”
Any millennial today is familiar with sex-positive icon/activist and social media influencer Amber Rose. In February, Rose went on Instagram to unveil her partnership with luxury pleasure products brand LELO, which included her “toybox” selections. At the XBIZ Retreat, LELO unveiled a deeper alliance with Rose, who now has her own shade — Amber Rose Gold — which has been applied to the popular Tiani couples’ vibe.
“It has been a dream to work with Amber Rose,” LELO’s Sara Brown said. “Our partnership with her has opened us up to a new demographic that has a new understanding of sexuality and new perspectives. She’s a great advocate and mainstream voice. She’s creating a space where it’s okay to talk about sex.”
According to Brown, although Tiani has always been popular with consumers, infusing its promotion with celebrity has created an “interesting crossover” for the brand.
Vibratex showcased a selection of vibes in addition to the popular Magic Wand.One pleasure product that needs no introduction is the Magic Wand massager from Vibratex. This year the quintessential sex toy celebrates its 50th birthday. According to Vibratex’s Eddie Romero, the company is focusing on supporting its retailers with increased brand awareness.
“Even with all of the industry innovation, the Magic Wand is easily the most recognizable,” Romero said. “It’s like a badge of honor for women’s rights.”
Romero refers to feminist sex educator Betty Dodson who made it her mission to teach women that the (Hitachi) Magic Wand could be used for sexual pleasure.
Dorr introduced new products while staying true to its packaging details — namely the brand’s signature boxes that feature an opening to allow customers to discreetly charge their sex toys. The company unveiled a new petite bullet vibe called Feel the Vibe Minia Wave that comes in a hanger card box. The Minia Wave is touch-activated and features eight functions. Dorr also teased an upcoming update to its remote-controlled vibe, Spot 2.
Satisfyer showcased more of the brand’s extensive advertising in mainstream magazines such as Cosmopolitan and other women’s magazines. Satisfyer exec Jerome Bensimon was on hand to discuss the latest iteration of the company’s flagship product, Satisfyer.
The Satisfyer Pro 2 — Next Generation is fitted with a +/– button so that users can increase or decrease the intensity as required. The button light is not as bright as the previous version and is thus less conspicuous. The Satisfyer line has expanded with different versions of the suctioning toy, including the Satisfyer Pro Plus, Satisfyer Traveler, Satisfyer Pro 4 couples and the Satisfyer Pro G-Spot Rabbit.
“[Satisfyer maker] EIS’ sales helps us see the trends among end users,” he said. “Interest among women is growing.”
Women’s growing acceptance of pleasure products could be due to the mainstreaming advertising from companies such as Satisfyer.
On the consumables side, Exsens proudly displayed an expansive array of beautifully packaged bottles of lubes and massage oils, including new organic formulas.
“Exsens was super well-received at the XBIZ Retreat,” Exsens’ Rebecca Pinette-Dorin said. “People really like the quality.”
New additions from Exsens include a new aloe vera water-based lube, organic massage oils and massage oils featuring gemstones in them. Pinette-Dorin said that the company’s stimulating warming and cooling lip gloss made a comeback with a recent redesign of its packaging.
“We saved the lip gloss,” she said, noting that the company went from selling a few lip-glosses per month to selling 1,000 per month.
“I’m so happy that the company is starting to fly on its own wings,” Pinette-Dorin said. “The line’s popularity has built up and we’re on the right track.”
Eighteenplus made its debut at the XBIZ Retreat to introduce its “Hot High Tech” app-controlled vibrator.
“We’re a tech company that’s building a community for toy owners to meet — because it doesn’t matter who you are [to control our toys],”Eighteenplus CEO Aljosa Sokic said.
Although anonymous users can control Eighteenplus’ toys, Sokic assures that privacy is at the top of the company’s priorities.
“We are a security-based company,” he said. “We know the problems and we’ve solved them to create the most secure products.”
Eighteenplus manufactures in the E.U. to ensure quality control.
“If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself,” Sokic said. “From idea to production, we’ve done everything in-house.”
Curve Novelties focused its showcase on its realistic offerings, including the new “double stack” of vibrating masturbators that are affectionately called BFFs and are part of the company’s Mistress collection. The BFFs feature four distinct textured entries for four unique sensations.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to see the support and work pay off as we continue to strive to offer the best and be innovative,” Curve Novelties’ Jeff Young said.
Nasstoys' Taylor MeansVeteran pleasure products brand Nasstoys is currently undergoing a modernized revamp with Taylor Means as the face of the company’s makeover.
“It’s time to start modernizing,” Means said. “We want to offer high-end while still being affordable.”
Among the various improvements that Means pointed out are visible from the revamped product packaging, which now includes windows and magnetic covers and steers away from the old school Nasstoys branding. Means also said the company aims to become more gender and body inclusive with its products and packaging going forward.
Adventure Industries' Jereme CohenAdventure Industries showcased its selection of sex enhancement products such as Erekt, Feeding Frenzy, Kangaroo and Gro. The company’s Whipsmart line features a range of bondage gear and sex swings, slings and cuffs. Among the company’s latest releases is the Hemp Bombs selection of pills, gummies, e-juice, “relaxation syrup,” pain relief ointment and shot drinks, which are all infused with CBD.
Adventure Industries is offering a starter kit display for retailers, which breaks down the effects of the Hemp Bombs products that include enhancing mood, reducing pain and improving sleep.
The COTR Inc. suite showcased the various collections created by industry vet and certified sex educator Alicia Sinclair — b-Vibe, Le Wand and The Cowgirl. Among the highlights is a new addition to the b-Vibe collection with the debut of the five-beaded Cinco vibrating anal beads, which was showcased with a colorful display that also promoted June's LGBT pride month.
Lovense's Joris GuisadoLovense did double duty at the XBIZ Retreat and the XBIZ Miami conference that was being held close by at the Mondrian hotel.
“The main focus of being here is to improve existing items — we released four items last year,” Lovense’ Joris Guisado said. “At XBIZ Miami we had a seminar to explain how Lovense products work and it ran past the time because we received so much feedback.”
Lovense was among the cabana exhibitors at the XBIZ Miami’s topless pool party; and after Lacey — a forty-something year old grandmother that was camming live from the pool using a Lovense toy — won the event’s bikini contest, Lovense’ cabana became a hub for cam girls that eventually drew more than 20,000 viewers on Chaturbate, Guisado said.
Several returning XBIZ Retreat vendors continued to praise the biannual event, which was established six years ago.
“XBIZ was such a great show for us to kick off summer,” Shibari Wands Senior Sales Executive Danielle Seerley said. “There was such a great assortment of customers and fellow vendors, I had so much fun meeting new people! I also really enjoy the time during the show I get to connect with customers on a more personal level, that is a very unique opportunity that XBIZ provides.
“This was one of our most successful XBIZ shows we have done so far,” Seerley continued. “There was a great mix of customers that we currently work with, but Sara and the team did a great job getting new prospects in from key markets we have been looking for. Having the balance of growing our current business and opening new accounts consistently with each meeting is invaluable.”
Hot Octopuss global head of sales April Lampert echoed the sentiment: “The XBIZ Retreat always seems to deliver the right balance of business and pleasure and Miami Beach is one of the most fitting places to mix the two. It was a hugely successful retreat for Hot Octopuss as we walked away closing a plethora of new accounts from all over the world and made some great connections. Live-band karaoke and some sweaty team-building beach Olympics added a ridiculously fun twist and some exercise to the jam-packed week. I look forward to this retreat every year.”
Ellen Friedman from MD Science Lab also was a fan of the XBIZ Retreat’s Beach Olympics (stay tuned for a full report on the XBIZ Retreat’s extracurricular events.)
“Overall I thought the show was great,” Friedman said. “The Olympic games was fun and got us to really meet some of the customers at whole new level. As for MD Science Lab/Swiss Navy, we didn’t have one customer miss their appointment with us. Thank you for such a great show!”
Zach Goode from ElectricDistro added, "This was my favorite XBIZ yet! The hotel was steps from the beach and I really got a chance to spend quality time with some of my favorite people in the industry. The one on one meetings were crucial to closing deals and showing new items without the distractions of a traditional trade show booth environment."
“XBIZ Retreat is an example of how trade events are done,” said Richie Harris of Rock Solid/Lucom USA. “Store chains large and small, distributors as well were invited to this event. The meetings are fast-paced and there are about 11 to 14 a day to get all the vendors and buyers the time permitted. Held at locations like Miami that are fun, great food and evening events that keep most people engaged is a good formula for success. Lucom USA and our brand Rock Solid attended for the first time and it won’t be the last. I was impressed and after 22 years in the industry, this is not such a simple task.”
Alexandre Enumo from Hot Flowers added, “With the XBIZ Retreat, every time it's a new opportunity to make contact with the best distributors and retailers in the country, meet friends and make new networking connections. This event for us was very special, as we presented to the market the new Hot Flowers price structure and our planning for the coming years. We released important products that will meet the market trends. We are already waiting for the next January edition in L.A."
XBIZ Retreat also offers vendors versatility that allows them to pick and choose whom they want to meet with.
“Although we only signed up for 10 meetings, I really enjoyed meeting with the international customers,” said Lisa Hanna, president of sales for Maia Toys. “I wasn’t able to take full advantage of 36 meetings but the diversity of the customers that attended was far more impressive than previous shows. It’s very nice to be able to get a large chain, medium chain and smaller chain’s opinions on what would help us grow our business. The show was very productive for us. You cannot put a price on the relationships that were formed. Overall, it was a great show and I look forward to attending again.”
