WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — CatalystCon West has unveiled its lineup of entertainment and special events for its sexuality conference Sept. 27-29 at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel.
Before the conference officially begins, attendees will mingle at the sold-out "Go West & Get Wet" Factory Tour. Wet International will pick up pre-registered attendees in their "Wet Party Bus" and bring them to their factory in Valencia for a light breakfast and tour of the facilities.
There are also two informal pre-conference events on Friday evening. The "Shy/Newbie Get-together" is designed for attendees to meet each other in a low-key, low-pressure environment and the Private Sex Worker Meet & Mingle is hosted by CatalystCon's sex worker liasions and open only to current and former sex workers. More information on both of these events may be found at catalystcon.com/schedule/meetups.
The conference weekend officially kicks off with an Opening Reception and Keynote Address on Friday evening. The CatalystCon Exhibitors Hall will also open on Friday evening and remain open throughout the weekend, giving attendees a chance to visit with all the exhibiting sponsors. Exhibiting sponsors include ANEROS, Sportsheets, Wicked Sensual Care Collection, Wicked Pictures, Crave, Nature Labs, Slixa, Tantus, Vibratex, Wet International, We-Vibe, and Sexquire.
Attendees can enjoy complimentary coffee and snacks in the Exhibitors Hall courtesy of Hospitality Sponsors Wicked Sensual Care Collection and Wicked Pictures on Saturday and Sunday. ANEROS has invited CatalystCon West attendees to visit the ANEROS Lounge, meet the team and learn more about their product line and Crave is offering attendees the chance to see how their Duet vibrators are made at one of their Build-a-Vibe workshops. Many of the sponsors will also be raffling off prizes from their collections to support the Center for Sex and Culture and the Joycelyn Elders Chair in Sexual Health Education.
Meanwhile, just outside the Exhibitors Hall in the Grand Ballroom Foyer, Stories Books & Cafe will be selling books and hosting book signings with CatalystCon speakers, and Davis from Sexquire will be offering complimentary legal, accounting, tax and other business consultations.
"CatalystCon has always been about more than just sessions, but I am thrilled that we were able to expand the experience for our attendees even further," said creator Dee Dennis. "The sponsors have really gone beyond the concept of typical exhibition and I know everyone is going to love it."
Author, sex educator and radio host Tristan Taormino will be bringing her weekly radio show, "Sex Out Loud," to CatalystCon. She will be recording interviews with conference speakers in front of a live studio audience throughout the weekend. Attendees are invited to join the audience on a first-come, first-served basis.
"CatalystCon brings together a vibrant, active group of sex-positive people from all different communities and industries," Taormino said."It's an exciting event that I just can't miss!" More information on Sex Out Loud at CatalystCon may be found at catalystcon.com/schedule/special-events.
This conference also marks an important milestone for Sportsheets, who celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. They have invited CatalystCon attendees to explore and experience their products in the Sportsheets Discovery Center all weekend. Sportsheets personnel will be on hand to answer questions and demonstrate how some of their most popular products work, like the Sportsheets bondage bed and the Door Jam Sex Sling.
Attendees are also invited to join the Wicked team Saturday evening in the Wicked Sensual Suite for champagne and light snacks while experiencing a sampling of the Wicked Sensual Care Collection and previewing the newest "Jessica Drake Guide to Wicked Sex" and Wicked Passions films. Attendees can relax, refresh and get ready for the Saturday evening entertainment.
Metis Black of Tantus and Tom Stewart of Sportsheets have teamed up to sponsor and host CatalystCon Game Night: Sexy Trivia. Black and Stewart will challenge attendees' knowledge of all things sexy as they compete for fun prizes and bragging rights. "For that night we will be the Sex Ed Capital of the World," said Black, president of Tantus Inc. "It is going to be so much fun." Game Night is followed by Bawdy Storytelling, America's original sex + storytelling show, hosted by Dixie De La Tour.
Registration is open at catalystcon.com/register.
Created to inspire exceptional converstaions about sexuality, CatalystCon will feature 40 sessions and panel discussions on sexuality-based topics such as sex-positive parenting, progressive swwinging, sexuality activism, political organizing and sex and the media.
