Feeling the Vibe: The Industry Comes Together at ANE

Above, returning exhibitors from the 2019 AVN Novelty Expo include Boneyard/Rascal Toys, Femme Funn, Tenga/Iroha and Nasstoys. Photos by Rick Garcia A combination of the wisdom that comes from experience with the freshness of a new perspective—that’s the appeal of the AVN Novelty Expo (ANE). This annual gathering of the pleasure product industry tribes takes place every January at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. And this year’s show, presented by Satisfyer, takes place January 22-24. ANE is held concurrently with the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo, and its mission is to serve as a meeting place for pleasure product professionals and buyers. The show attracts a strong core of repeat exhibitors, all longtime players in the industry who generously share their expertise with old friends and new business contacts alike. And ANE each year also draws in a fresh crop of first-time exhibitors who bring fresh ideas and energy to the industry. Every year at ANE, the team behind the show works hard to create an environment where buyers and sellers can build relationships not only through interaction on the show floor but also through scheduled meetings through the Very Important Buying Executive (VIBE) program, which is also sponsored by Satisfyer. And it’s VIBE that really sets ANE apart from other industry shows. Rob Reimer—CMO of Channel 1 Releasing, which produces the Rascal and Boneyard toy lines—explains the appeal of ANE: “We are looking forward to this year’s AVN Novelty Expo for a few reasons. First of all, it’s always our best show in terms of how much business we do. Secondly, we always do the VIBE program and add at least five to ten new direct customers. They do such a great job with getting new stores and buyers to this show. It’s not the same people you see at every show.” Reimer adds, “And lastly, we are pretty much at the point where we have an entire booth dedicated to Boneyard, which took less than three years to accomplish, and that shows the success we have had with this new line. We meet so many people at the shows who love this new brand and we appreciate hearing what everyone has to say.” Maia Toys is another exhibitor that is again returning to ANE. Brand ambassador Zachary Smith says, “Every year, we look forward to AVN week. It is a show that takes all of the aspects of our incredible industry and puts them under one roof. How does it get any better than that? At AVN, we see the show as an opportunity to connect with not only other vendors and buyers but with everyone. AVN is ever growing and we are extremely excited to be a part of it.” As for the company’s plans at the 2020 show, Smith says, “Maia is really excited to have everyone catching a ‘buzz’ with our new cannabis-themed rabbit we have decided to add to our 420 line. We will be introducing the Kusha, a 10-function dual-motor rabbit that features a cannabis leaf as the clitoral stimulator. That’s right: rabbit ears that are shaped like a pot leaf! With the crossover between cannabis and sex becoming more and more prevalent, we are excited to offer a line of products that caters to our 420-friendly customers!” Andy Green, president of Xgen Products, says attendees will find plenty to see at his company’s exhibit space. “Xgen is extremely excited to be exhibiting again at ANE and kicking off the new year in style!” Green says. “We have new releases to share with the buyers covering most of our brands: lingerie, toys and accessories. There will be a dual-ended wand massager, Frederick’s of Hollywood booty plugs, Zolo automated men’s items, and more!” Coming back for her second time to ANE, Jade Leon says, “I can’t wait to visit Sin City and be engulfed with the AVN charm once again.” The Clandestine Devices operations manager says, “Being able to take part in the AVN Novelty Expo alongside so many amazing adult brands [and surrounded by talent] is such an amazing opportunity. … It was such a great experience being able to interact with new and old customers from all over the world. The energy and excitement is so high. Being around so many customers who share the same enthusiasm of what’s in store for the year to come on the novelty side is invigorating—as well as being able to observe the B2C side boom with so many consumers eager to learn and see what’s new.” One exhibitor is very familiar with ANE but is exhibiting with her new company. Nikki Yates, formerly with CB-X, is now Sexy Fun World, which is showcasing the World Cage. This new line offers what Yates calls “the most comfortable male chastity kits on the planet.”  Yates explains, “We spent years learning what works in male chastity and have incorporated it into our new World Cage line. We are most proud that the World Cage is the only body-safe kit on the market. Sexy Fun World is the only manufacturer that uses ABS plastic.” Yates says ABS does not leach BPAs into the skin and is therefore safer. “Sexy Fun World is dedicated to the use of products that are healthy, safe and innovative. We are so confident in our World Cage kits that we are offering a revolutionary lifetime warranty on them,” she adds. The exhibitors returning again to ANE represent a broad range of the pleasure product industry. Some have been around for decades, such as leading East Coast pleasure product company Nasstoys, which will exhibit its wide-ranging stock of products that covers all product categories. Also adding to the buzz at the show will be other U.S.-based companies, including Curve Toys, Evolved Novelties, Femme Funn, Impulse Novelties, Rock Candy Toys/Bedroom Products, Voodoo Vibes and XR Brands. And making the trek from overseas are Lovehoney, Rouge Garments, Tenga, Hot Flowers, Kingsonic Trading and Kosmo Lupo. In addition to toys, there will be plenty of body care products on display. In addition to checking out a new line of lubricants from Wicked Sensual Care, attendees can also see the latest from MD Science, Paradise Marketing, Sensuva and Body Action Products, among others. And as buyers have come to expect, there will be brand-new members of the industry represented as well. One of the first-timers is Sean Johnson of Amor Oral, who says, “We are so excited to be showing off our flavored lubes at this year’s AVN Novelty Expo. Since we are a new brand on the market, it is our goal to share our amazing flavors and quality lube with everyone at the event. We will be offering tastings of our best-selling lubes as well as some of our newest flavors. “We are thrilled to get to know more people in the adult novelty industry and speak with retailers, distributors, and marketers about ways to share our amazing flavored lubes with customers and fans,” he adds. The team from Honey Adult Play is also eager to make their mark. “This will be our first show as exhibitors at AVN, though we visited it last year to check everything out,” a company rep said. Based in Southern California, this team lives up to its name, with a well-curated assortment of vibrators, clitoral stimulators and prostate massagers. Dubbing itself the affordable sexual wellness brand, Honey Adult Play “prides itself in bringing you high-quality sexual wellness devices straight to your you-know-what.” At a show that celebrates novelty, as its name suggests, there is always something new at ANE. For instance, Ally and Kenny Chenal of Chenal Creations have something new they would like to share. “Too many times, people find themselves getting bored with their usual sex toy,” they say. “Chenal Creations is introducing a solution to the problem at the AVN Novelty Expo: a toy with the ability to manipulate girth at the push of a button, giving people the choice of a different guy every night.” To meet this “stranger,” stop by Booth 103. Another newbie exhibitor is traveling a long way to share their wares. DNKM Enterprises was founded by two entrepreneurial women from Australia's Gold Coast. The newly divorced women were looking to make an impact in the adult industry and over a few drinks they became business partners and started DNKM Enterprises, a company that “ensures to entertain your senses.” They are kicking off their venture with the Love Hamma (“the ultimate pleasure tool”) and the Pleasure Pouch. “Carefully designed for mind-blowing orgasms.” the Love Hamma vibrator targets all of the body's pleasure zones with three different functions: the head vibrates and the handle vibrates and thrusts, each with 10 different speeds. It’s available in two different designs and is ribbed for even greater sensations. The Pleasure Pouch is made from soft leather that feels silky smooth on the skin, and it provides “easy access to lubes and sex toys during foreplay, roleplay or erotic play.” In addition to the trade-only space at ANE, there are many other adult products on display at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo (AEE), held concurrently with ANE. Some big names in the industry use the show as an opportunity to promote their brands directly to consumers, including We-Vibe, Zalo USA, Motorbunny and Bad Dragon, as well as many emerging entrepreneurs. Curious trade attendees can check out these companies in the adjacent Artist Hall as well as The Joint. And don’t overlook the Lair, located upstairs inn the Joint, where vendors offer up all manner of fetish playthings, from Justin Sayne’s elaborate floggers to bondage gear from Deviant Leather. Find a map of the show floor here.