LOS ANGELES — With less than two weeks leading up to the biggest virtual expo for the pleasure product and adult retail industries, ANME/XBIZ Show organizers are pleased to announce the lineup of panel discussions slated for the anticipated event.
With two sessions scheduled daily from July 14-16, ANME/XBIZ’s dual-track program will cover top trends in the pleasure market and strategies for bolstering business success.
Leading up to the panel discussions will be a sponsored workshop by Svakom on Tuesday, July 13 at 8 a.m. (PDT). The session will be hosted by Svakom’s Alexandro Feynerol, and is titled “Interactive Toys: How Technology Has Changed Sex.” The workshop will explore the ways that tech innovations have changed how consumers experience sex alone and with long-distance partners.
ANME/XBIZ’s panel discussions kick off Wednesday, July 14 at 9 a.m. (PDT) with two sessions held concurrently.
On the retail track, attendees can tune into the “Staying Vigilant in an Ecommerce World” panel, which will explore how to identify questionable third-party online sellers and educate and empower retailers to more effectively communicate to customers that all products are not created equal. The panel’s speakers include: Elegant Pleasure Parties’ Susan Dasch-Compton, Crystal Delights’ Shellie Martin, CK's Secrets & Condom Knowledge’s Michele Bland, Subsensuals’ Helaine Katz, MasonLuke.com’s Mason Luke, Holiday Products’ Angela Blackmon, Pepper Parties Too’s Kathi & James Pepper and Cloud 9 Novelties’ Paul Reutershan. CNV’s Ann Houlihan will moderate the session.
Over on the pleasure track, the panel “Pleasure for All: Inclusivity in Sex Toy Marketing” will explore how today’s most progressive brands are ensuring that their marketing embraces all consumers with inclusive messaging and visuals. The panelists include: System JO’s Kristyl Fulton, Wild Flower’s Nick Boyajian, NYTC’s Chelsea Downs, COTR’s Kimberly Faubel, Damiana Consulting’s Sarah Tomchesson, Blush Novelties’ Nancy Cosimini, Hot Octopuss' April Lampert and Sportsheets’ Chaney Cox. Josh Ortiz from XR Brands will moderate the session.
On Thursday, July 15 at 9 a.m. (PDT) the retail track will feature “Business Today: How Retail Operations Are Evolving.” The panel discussion will explore how adult retailers adapted amid the pandemic and what to expect in-store as we move past social distancing restrictions. Moderated by Wicked Sensual Care’s Jessica Drake, panelists will include: Doctor Love and Hemp City’s Carol Schweitzer, Ero-Tech Corporation’s Zondre Watson, Janra/Deja Vu’s Megan Swartz, Barnaby’s Coyote Amrich, Romantic Adventures’ Tami Rose and Fairvilla’s Debra Peterson.
Simultaneously, the pleasure panel “New & Improved: The Latest in Sextech" will discuss the latest advances and cutting-edge tech developments to watch. Moderated by Satisfyer’s Ian Kulp, the panel will feature: Kiiroo’s Toon Timmermans, Concept to Consumer’s Gary Ayckbourn, SkiiMoo Tech’s Glenise Kinard-Moore, VirtualMate’s Jeff Dillon, Autoblow’s Brian Sloan, Hot Octopuss’ Adam Lewis, My Hixel’s Patricia López and Healthy Pleasure Group’s Dominnique Karetsos.
ANME/XBIZ’s educational program comes to a close on Friday with another pair of sessions.
The “Social Media Marketing Trials & Tribulations” panel on Friday, July 16 at 9 a.m. (PDT) will feature social media gurus sharing their expertise on how to circumvent social media restrictions through creative marketing. Moderated by industry vet Casey Murphy, the session’s speakers include Doc Johnson’s Thao Dipolito, exxxiteme’s Linnea Marie, Svakom's Kate Kozlova, Lora DiCarlo’s Lora Haddock, Unbound’s Polly Rodriguez and System JO’s Joshua Cash.
The final panel “New Brands on the Block” will feature upstart companies sharing their experiences in entering the market and discussing their quests to elevate pleasure. The panelists include Together Vibes’ Megan Swartz, Aminas Pouch’s Traci Ariran, Stript’s Maxine Lynn, Viben Toys’ Bonnie Feingold, Nanciland Innovations’ Nanci Smith, SOS Distribution’s Hamed Bosset-Allen and Balldo’s Jerry Davies. Global Novelties’ Autumn O'Bryan will serve as the panel’s moderator.
For more information, visit ANMEXBIZ.com or contact anmexbiz@xbiz.com.