BURBANK, Calif. — The second day of the Adult Novelty Manufacturers Expo (ANME) was in full swing earlier today as buyers and manufacturers alike converged on the Burbank Airport Marriott Hotel for the pleasure products industry's biannual B2B event.
The three-day convention kicked off yesterday after a series of weekend parties that heralded the official beginning of the show’s summer edition.
Attendees filed into the main exhibition room and adjoining satellite spaces this morning for another busy day of client meetings, product demos and more.
Situated in the main room were brands such as CalExotics, which celebrated its 25th anniversary with a brunch on the Universal Studios backlot Sunday morning, as well as Xgen, System Jo, Classic Brands, Kheper Games, Doc Johnson, pjur, Sportsheets and Wow Tech Group, among others.
Aside from CalExotics, XR Brands and Kama Sutra also celebrated milestone anniversaries at the event, commemorating a respective 20 and 50 years in business with new product releases and fitting festivities.
Michael Guilfoyle, director of international marketing and business development at XR Brands, noted that at the company's fourth ANME, they’re consistently excited to see newly-developed products hit the market. The company debuted its Evoke Ergo Fit strapless strap-on from the StrapU series, which the company is touting as the “world’s first inflatable vibrating strapless strap-on.” Developed to fit a wider range of users, the wearer is able to adjust the size of their half by inflating and deflating it following insertion, similar to a balloon. The company also rolled out expanded options of vibrating, remote-controlled tails and a new Cocksicles line of summery sweet-treat vibes. Additionally, XR Brands announced plans to create more affordable pieces for the Tom of Finland line.
Situated in the lobby area of the main convention space, Kama Sutra was decked out in black and gold for the occasion with a “vintage” edition of its flagship Origin of Love massage oil on display front and center. In honor of its Golden Anniversary, the company rolled out a new Feel Me soft bondage set, complete with 69-themed erotic playing cards as a nod to their 1969 founding. “We’ve also released a revamped Treasure Trove box that now features double the products at the same price point,” explained a rep. “We really wanted to thank our customers who’ve supported us over the past 50 years by offering a handful of new, fun products that we think customers will enjoy.”
“July is always a great show,” noted a rep from Sliquid. “It always starts out strong but we’re looking forward to a good tomorrow as well.” The Dallas brand was in attendance displaying a wide range of products, most notably their new Spark silicone-based personal lubricant, which is infused with cooling menthol and warms with friction.
Traveling around the expansive exhibition space, buyers buzzed about as enthusiastic reps showed off their latest wares. For many, the biannual convention is a time to reconnect with clients and, in some cases, meet for the first time.
Jessica from Hott Products remarked, “It’s great to meet customers in person and finally put faces to names. Especially for our international customers, [ANME] is a wonderful opportunity to build those relationships.”
This year’s show saw a slew of new faces, including Satisfyer, on hand to debut new products including the One Night Stand disposable clitoral stimulator, the Satisfyer Men Wand and the four-item Layons series, all of which will be available in the coming weeks. Satisfyer's Jerome Bensimon also announced plans to unveil a whopping 70 new products come fall. Following the development of its patented AirPulse technology, the Euro-based brand shows no signs of slowing down with production.
“This show is a great new experience for us,” noted Bensimon. “It’s our first time so we brought the U.S. and European teams together for it and it’s been going really well.”
“It’s our first time at ANME and so far it’s been a good experience,” shared reps from TENGA’s booth in the convention’s adjoining tent space. In addition to their popular single-use Cup and Egg ranges, TENGA also had their “by women for women” iroha line on display. Made from super-soft silicone, the line is designed as a discreet homage to Japanese culture. “For example,” explained the rep, “[in Japanese culture] the geisha is the pinnacle of feminine beauty so the iroha RIN vibrator is made to resemble the pins geishas wear in their hair.” The line additionally features a Sakura cherry blossom model and a Mikazuki crescent moon, amongst others.
In the tucked-away ballroom, Adrien Lastic debuted a line of super-soft silicone dildos, a proprietary patented blend that after two years of tweaking is finally ready to hit the market come September. “It’s medical-grade silicone at PVC prices,” commented a rep. “The feedback has been beyond what we imagined.” The material, which has been compared to memory foam in terms of consistency, is also thermoreactive; it hardens upon cooling and softens in heat.
In addition to super-soft silicone, new trends lean towards high-tech, patented designs and enhanced connectivity.
For their part, Lelo showcased the Sona 2 personal massager, which will be released mid-August. “We’ve redone the mouth to cover more and made the hole deeper to heighten intensity,” noted a rep. “We’ve also moved the motor back so it’s a lot quieter now and added in a new interface.” The brand also plans to unveil a series of app-based products in the fall, most notably the F1s stroker for men, which features an open interface “so techies can program their own settings,” explained the rep.
The Lora DiCarlo team was also present at ANME, albeit sans their highly anticipated flagship product, Osé. “We’re still on track for a fall/winter rollout,” shared marketing director Sarah Brown, “but we opted to do more blind user tests because we want it to really be perfect when we finally unveil it.” Osé uses biomimicry to help users achieve a hands-free blended orgasm. Following their tangle with the Consumer Technology Association regarding the revocation of their 2019 CES award, Lora DiCarlo has subsequently been re-awarded the accolade, secured $2 million in funding and has developed nine pending patents for new robotics technology. “When people finally see it, they’re going to want it even more,” said Brown.
Riding the tech wave, Sport Fucker debuted its Cell Mate chastity device, which locks and unlocks exclusively via a Bluetooth-controlled app. Mercifully, the device gives out and auto-unlocks once the battery reaches 10 percent but nevertheless, it’s sure to be the latest must-have in the growing chastity play market.
ElectraStim and Stockroom added some buzz to the show with their respective lines of electro play items. Debuting their new Silicone Fusion line of both external and internal devices, ElectraStim reps highlighted the multifaceted uses of electricity in the bedroom. “When used on the surface of the skin, it can create a more tickling, teasing feeling,” explained Sophie Anthony from the company's sales team, “but when worn internally the sensation is closer to a pulsing or throbbing feeling.”
CEO Anthony Smith said that the decision to develop a silicone line was motivated by a desire to offer customers a more affordable option than their classic metal line, with the hopes of introducing new consumers to the versatile nature of electro play. “People have a lot of misconceptions [about electro play],” added Smith. “It’s designed to be pleasurable, not painful — unless you’re looking for that.”
Similarly, Stockroom showcased Thunder Clap, a silicone paddle with a weighted metal core that’s able to conduct electricity when paired with the Neon Wand power source. Also on display was the Obsidian Neon Wand Intensity Kit from the brand’s KinkLab range, which additionally features two silicone attachments that can be used to create a wide array of stimulating sensations.
Just in time for summer, Exsens is touting its Glam Summer collection, highlighting its new Coco Shea Oil, an all-natural intimate moisturizer with a deliciously coconutty scent that hydrates and nourishes skin. As part of the campaign, the company plans to do a number of social media giveaways from now through August. Also included in the collection are Exsens’ water-based Pure Aqua personal lubricant, Sex on the Beach gel, and shimmering Glam Oil.
Meanwhile, Bijox Indiscrets is already prepping for a steamy cuffing season with the planned November roll out of their Slow Sex line. The line invites users to explore sex beyond penetration with the sensual product offerings that, as global sales manager Lisa Sananes explained, “are designed to help encourage pleasure from the first kiss to the last touch.” With price points to accommodate every budget, the coconut-scented collection's massage oils, arousal gels and beauty products are available in travel-friendly sizes and are accompanied by equally sexy in-store poster displays. The brand also debuted their millennial dating app-inspired line of warming orgasmic balms. The cheekily-named Clitherapy line is slated to launch later in August.
Dozens of other companies showcased their latest and greatest at ANME, including COTR Inc., Dame Products, Ozze Creations, Zalo, Blush Novelties, Wicked Sensual Care, Empire Labs, Clandestine Devices, Be Wicked, Bizarre Leather, NS Novelties, Aneros, Classic Brands and Sportsheets, to name just a few.
As day two wound down, attendees prepared to head to the 13th Annual StorErotica Awards in the evening. The convention will resume bright and early tomorrow for one final day of hustle and bustle at the Burbank Airport Marriott.
For more event photos, click here.
