TEMPE, Ariz. — The Phoenix Forum wrapped on Saturday with ImLive and CCBill’s closing party after a full day of education, events and networking opportunities.
The convention, for the past three days, was uplifting for most who were looking for new and reinvigored connections, as well as those who sought out continuing education on the various sections of the industry.
The Phoenix Forum also had a great turnout. Phoenix Forum organizers told XBIZ that pre-registration was much higher for the show than in previous years.
The annual springtime adult tradeshow at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel — now past its 10thyear at the resort — worked in Saturday’s scheduled events with the famed dodgeball event, “JuicyDodgeBall,” as well as the XBIZ-sponsored speed networking session.
Saturday also included the annual lunch by the poolside, beer pong, “dunk the hottie” and Reporo’s “The Wet and Wild Speedo Contest.” The day also included “The Dream Forum” to showcase products and services by select online adult businesses.
Other events also were scheduled, including Flirt4Free/Fratman’s “Late Night After Party” at the Penthouse, and, of course, some gaming in the Late Night Poker Suite.
Another day of education also was on tap, starting with “Keeping Your Privates Private,” moderated by Oystein Wright (Mansion Productions), with panelists Jason Tucker (Battleship Stance), DominicFord (DominicFord.com and Porn Guardian), Remik Kolodziej (Red Apple Media) and Paul Rivera (CCBill). The seminar discussed the importance of protecting your servers, and thus your business, from being hacked bit by bit.
“Sex, Lies and Dating,” moderated by Colin Rowntree (Wasteland), with panelists Gary Taylor (White Label Dating), industry attorney Joe Obenberger and Ed Kunkel (The Dating Network), discussed trends in the adult-themed dating sector
“Pride and Profit,” moderated by Karl Edwards (YL Publications), with panelists Morgan Sommer (Cybersocket), Andy Fair (Dirty Boy Video), Carl Sander (DH Services), Danny Kaufman (Panorama Pacific) and Chris Koloff (Alternadudes), identified the essentials trends of the gay online adult space, including a frank discussion on bareback porn production.