LOS ANGELES — Following the success of the inaugural ANME/XBIZ Show that took place this month, ANME and XBIZ are joining forces once again for a summer edition set for July 12-16.
“The ANME/XBIZ event was an incredible way to kick off 2021,” said Susan Colvin, founder and CEO of CalExotics. “Even though we couldn’t see everyone in-person, the virtual space made the event feel like a traditional trade show. We were able to virtually go around the show, talk to our customers and friends, and even take part in seminars and happy hours. Of course, we can’t wait to meet with everyone again in person, but this was really the next best thing!”
Colvin emphasized the CalExotics team’s goal to “take what we’ve learned from this show, and make the July show even better.”
The virtual ANME/XBIZ show brings together the best of both worlds with ANME’s expansive slate of exhibitors and XBIZ Retreat’s signature one-on-one meetings and networking opportunities, to deliver the biggest virtual event for the adult retail industry.
"We’re so grateful to everybody who helped make the first virtual ANME such a huge success,” said Chad Braverman, the COO of Doc Johnson. “Our team was grateful for the large turnout and the ability to meet with all our distributors, retailers and friends. We at Doc Johnson are all thrilled that the industry will be able to continue this show virtually for however long is needed.”
Helmed by the pioneering pleasure product companies CalExotics, Doc Johnson and Nasstoys, the biannual go-to ANME show was first postponed last summer due to the pandemic, after which the “founders” and XBIZ joined forces to to recreate the trade show experience online.
“ANME/XBIZ was a wonderful opportunity for Nasstoys to virtually connect with our customers in a time when we cannot see them in person,” Nasstoys President Elliot Schwartz said. “We also loved seeing some new faces! Online shows have brought the ability for those who could not physically attend previously to be right in our ‘booth’ without having to step away from their business for days at a time. Overall, the entire team had an incredibly successful show and we’re looking forward to the next.”
The debut edition of ANME/XBIZ united a who's-who of the adult retail industry via an interactive platform for participants to conduct business and network. With packed schedules of one-on-one meetings and evening entertainment, participants also interacted at their leisure, much like an in-person trade show.
“We’re thrilled by the response to our collaboration with ANME that helped to usher in a groundbreaking B2B event,” XBIZ Associate Publisher Sara Ramirez said. “We look forward to finding new and innovative ways to further bridge the gap between virtual and reality, with the end goal of delivering the best online trade show experience.”
As a bonus to incentivize business between participants, buyers are entered into a contest to reward the Top 3 as rated by vendors based on a range of criteria.
Along with scheduled meetings and virtual networking events, ANME/XBIZ also features panel discussions on a variety of topics shaping the future of pleasure products and adult retail industries.
Read coverage of the ANME/XBIZ Show here.
For event information, contact anmexbiz@xbiz.com.