MIAMI — The 2016 XBIZ Miami got underway Tuesday, treating early birds with a number of perennially popular events that kicked off the fun, learning and networking opportunities presented by the summer’s top industry event, which is poised to be the most feature-packed event in XBIZ history.
XBIZ Miami takes over the trendsetting SLS Hotel on Miami’s world-famous South Beach, from May 31 through June 3, with this year’s event coinciding with CamCon. Hotel access is restricted to registered event attendees, adding to the casual “adults only” atmosphere that combines business with pleasure.
Many attendees began arriving Tuesday morning, shuttled in style from the airport by a TrafficPartner-provided limousine, setting the stage for the comfort and elegance of the 2016 XBIZ Miami experience.
Once again, GameLink’s Jeff “Dillonaire” Dillon, hosted this year’s SCUBA Spectacular, with a handful of divers and snorkelers, including Dillon, SGM’s Andy Wullmer, XBIZ’s Stephen Yagielowicz, Brian Randall of Nice People At Work, and more, all enjoying a great day on and in Florida’s warm tropical waters, and savoring a refreshing dinner and cocktails at the marina afterwards.
Wullmer noted that XBIZ Miami’s annual dive and snorkel trip is a great way to relieve the stress of travel while easing into the show, providing what Dillon calls “a great way to get to know people better.”
Landlubbers were not left out of the fun, as the latest installment of the XBIZ Golf Tournament offered congenial competition and executive networking out on the links. Presented by X2K Consulting and Media Services, and sponsored by CAM4, ChargebackHelp, and NETbilling, the XBIZ Miami Golf Tournament, hosted by X2K’s Stephen Bugbee, is one of the most popular industry networking events — with Bugbee telling XBIZ that everyone had a great afternoon playing golf in Miami’s warm weather.
One of the circuit’s regulars, NETbilling’s Mitch Farber, told XBIZ that while the score cards had yet to be fully tallied, the tournament was a close one, and well received by the players.
Kicking off the evening, the XBIZ and CamCon sponsored Welcome Mixer swung into high gear at the SLS’ showcase Hyde Beach pool — ground zero for the event.
XBIZ’s Leah Mahi observed that the mixer is the perfect place to welcome returning friends, and to make profitable new contacts with key decision makers — contacts that are made easier through XBIZ’s new Connection Advantage, which leverages XBIZ staffer’s personal connections with the needs of attendees.
Later, the exclusive Havana White Party, sponsored by TrafficStars and NakedNews, drew revelers in their favorite and finest white garments, to mix and mingle with their fellow attendees in a luxurious penthouse suite. A bevy of beautiful girls, open bar, and a great group of porn industry partygoers made for a memorable event, which Gamelink’s Dillon characterized as “super happening.”
Following the Havana White Party, night owls gathered at the SLS bar for informal networking and a pleasant end to the first day’s networking events, which lasted until the sun rose, paving the way for the rest of XBIZ Miami 2016.
XBIZ Miami continues its non-stop onslaught of activities for attendees on Wednesday. With nearly 50 seminars, workshops, special sessions, executive networking opportunities and parties, XBIZ Miami is setting a new standard of events excellence, offering a comprehensive combination of business and pleasure that offers something for everyone in the adult entertainment industry.
Stay tuned for XBIZ for more daily coverage of this groundbreaking event…