Tuesday, Apr 3, 2012    Text size: 

LONDON — U.K.’s adult lifestyle consumer event Erotica 2012 has been cancelled, however organizers have announced a “new generation” format slated for 2013 that may include a different venue and dates earlier in the year.

According to the event’s organizers, the decision was made following an in-depth review of the market.

“The decision to cancel Erotica 2012 was not taken lightly,” said Erotica’s Savvas Christodoulou. “And we are very much aware that we will disappoint our loyal exhibitors and the many thousands of visitors who attend each show— I can only apologize to them and promise that when we return in 2013 it will be with a significantly enhanced Erotica.”

Erotica also is seeking feedback from its Facebook and Twitter followers for suggestions to held mold 2013’s new format, including dates and venue.

Erotica has been staged annually at London’s Olympia for the last 17 years. Citing an annual rising cost of tenancy at the venue, Erotica’s organizers say they chose to cancel this year’s event to avoid increasing ticket prices or charging exhibitors more than in previous years. According to event organizers, it refunded deposits to more than 50 exhibitors that had signed on for Erotica 2012.

Erotica will maintain its presence through a new “hub” created in conjunction with Carnal Creative to give consumers access to various aspects of the adult industry, which is set to launch in the summer.

“We very much want to hear the views of our visitors and of course our loyal exhibitors,” Christodoulou said. “We anticipate that the new show will still offer a shopping element for exciting fashion items and the more unique products that are hard to find on the High Street or Internet but there will also be a big emphasis on entertainment and the opportunity to meet like-minded people in a friendly, comfortable and safe environment.”