Chaturbate events coordinator Emely Zuniga has a way of making everyone feel like they’re part of her crew.
During industry events, you’ll likely find Zuniga gliding through the room, greeting creators, checking details and making sure everyone around her feels taken care of. With her colorful red hair, perfectly done nails and an easygoing, “work bestie” demeanor that instantly puts people at ease, she thrives in the fast-paced environment of conferences and trade shows.
At the end of the day, we wouldn’t be here without creators. So being able to offer environments for them to feel comfortable, supported and celebrated is really what our work is all about.
At those events, organization, warmth and quick problem-solving help keep things running smoothly — and those all happen to be areas where Zuniga excels.
Having recently celebrated her two-year anniversary with the company, Zuniga is by now a familiar presence across the industry’s event circuit. The role suits her naturally, blending her enthusiasm for the community with a genuine talent for building connections that extend well beyond the convention floor.
“Live events create a kind of connection that digital interaction just can’t replicate,” she tells XBIZ. “Online is great for reach, but in person you get real conversations, shared energy and more meaningful relationship-building.”
Making Show Magic Happen
For Zuniga, the show-season whirlwind is comfortable home turf. Part of her overall ease working in the industry comes from being raised in a household where conversations about relationships and sexuality weren’t treated as taboo. That openness helped make stepping into the adult world less intimidating, giving her the confidence to jump right into the work and focus on what matters most to her: supporting creators and helping bring events to life.
“I’ve genuinely had a great time, not only meeting creators but also watching our hard work come to life at every expo,” Zuniga affirms. “I happened to come upon the job position and thought it seemed like an amazing opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
It certainly appears to have been the right opportunity for Zuniga, whose openness and natural ease connecting with people quickly proved to be an asset in a role that sits at the intersection of logistics, creativity and community-building.
Like most large-scale events, the experiences Zuniga helps coordinate begin germinating long before they hit the show floor. Behind every mixer, model lounge and branded booth is an enormous amount of behind-the-scenes coordination that creators and attendees rarely glimpse.
“I think people would be surprised by how much goes on behind the scenes before anyone even walks into the space,” she says. “It’s not just booking a venue. It’s contracts, layouts, catering, travel, staffing, branding, security, and constant communication with creators and vendors. There are so many moving parts happening at once and a lot of problem-solving in real time. If it feels seamless at the event, that’s usually because months of planning and coordination went into making it look that way.”
Zuniga approaches the process with a methodical mindset that keeps the chaos manageable.
“We usually start planning for expos a few months in advance,” she explains. “It involves many meetings with our creative, merch and event teams to make sure we’re all aligned on the vision we’re bringing to life at the show. From there, a big part of it is coordinating travel and accommodations for our sponsored creators and staff. We also stay in close, consistent communication with our event contacts throughout the entire process.”
That ability to juggle logistics while keeping the creative vision intact is a balancing act every event team knows well. Of course, bringing those ideas to life also means balancing big creative visions with practical realities.
“It starts with outlining the full vision,” Zuniga says. “Then the team works together to figure out what’s realistic given the budget, timeline and scale. Most of these decisions are made as a group, with input from creative, merch, leadership and production, so everything stays aligned and doable.”
In other words: Dream big, but execute smart. Of course, even meticulously planned live events have a way of throwing the occasional curveball. When the doors finally open, months of preparation collide with the unpredictable pace of the show floor. For Zuniga, focus and preparation are 90% of that battle.
“The key is prioritizing our ‘must haves’ for the event and then remaining flexible where needed, so the core vision comes to life in a way that works for the event,” she says.
Built for Creators
For Zuniga, the long hours of preparation, planning meetings and logistical juggling all lead up to the moment when her team’s work finally comes to life on the show floor.
“The most fulfilling part is seeing something we’ve been working on for months finally come together at the show,” she marvels. “There’s so much planning and anticipation that goes into each event, so watching it all unfold in real time is really rewarding.”
Still, the real payoff isn’t just seeing the booth assembled or the lights come on. It’s watching creators step into a booth or model lounge and immediately feel like they belong there.
“At the end of the day, we wouldn’t be here without creators,” Zuniga notes. “So being able to offer environments for them to feel comfortable, supported and celebrated is really what our work is all about.”
At events like X3 Expo, that approach comes to life in spaces such as the Chaturbate Creator Lounge — a posh, comfortable retreat tucked away just off the crowded expo floor, branded in the platform’s signature style. At the 2026 X3 Expo, the lounge offers creators a place to recharge with sips and bites, connect with fellow performers, pick up Chaturbate merch and enjoy a moment of calm before heading back into the buzz of the show.
“It starts with understanding how the brand should feel, not just how it looks,” Zuniga says. “With Chaturbate, that’s community, creativity and being creator-first. We bring that to life through intentional branding, smart layouts and interactive elements that encourage connection.
“It’s less about just placing logos everywhere and more about creating a space that naturally reflects the brand’s energy,” she adds. “If people walk in and instantly feel that vibe, we know we’ve done our job.”
In an industry that lives largely online, those real-world moments carry a unique kind of weight. Often, conversations that start in those settings turn into lasting relationships.
“We really enjoy getting to know our creators on a deeper level,” Zuniga attests. “Not only does this build trust and turn usernames into real connections, but it also allows the team to keep creators in mind for future projects and opportunities that they will be a good fit for.
“In-person interactions also give creators, fans and teams a chance to feel like they’re part of something bigger,” she says. “Not just individual profiles on a screen, but a true community.”
Passport to Adventure
For Zuniga, one of the unexpected perks of her role has been the opportunity to see the world as she travels regularly to events in places like Vancouver, Berlin, Colombia, Miami and Chicago.
“I enjoy them so much,” she enthused. “Mainly because of the scenery and being able to experience different cities and people.”
For someone from a modest upbringing, those experiences carry real emotional weight. Traveling to new cities, connecting with creators from around the world and representing Chaturbate on a global stage underscores just how far Zuniga’s journey has taken her.
“As someone who comes from a Mexican background and didn’t have much growing up, I never imagined I’d be in a place like Berlin,” she says. “There’s definitely a moment of imposter syndrome, but then you remind yourself, ‘I worked for this. I deserve to be here.’”
Of course, the nonstop energy of conventions also means knowing when to recharge.
“Being able to unwind is super important, especially after a convention where it’s loud and you’re surrounded by so many different energies,” she confides. “For me, that means taking a day for myself, sleeping in, going for a long walk around my neighborhood. I’m pretty mellow in general, but those little things are key to recharging.”
Looking ahead, Zuniga remains focused on continuing to grow while strengthening the connections that define the industry as a community.
“For the rest of 2026, my main goal is to keep learning and growing within my role,” she says. “I also want to focus on building even more long-lasting connections with creators, partners and teammates.”
Each month, XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry’s most influential businesswomen.
