XBIZ Summer Forum Kicks Off With Speed Networking

LAS VEGAS -- Blistering business is the best way to describe the opening event at this year's XBIZ Summer Forum as the ever-popular Speed Networking session, hosted this year by Adult Webmaster Empire, kicked off the three-day program.

Webmasters braved the early morning call today to be sure they would meet the people who matter in the two-minute meetings.

And from all appearances not one of the 50-plus attendees were short for words and none were disappointed with what was learned in the lightning-fast sessions.

Wasteland Founder and CEO Colin Rowntree told XBIZ that when he first heard that Speed Networking was set for the early morning he was suspicious about who would turn out and how much business would be done.

'It sounded like the time would be a hindrance but was I surprised. The hardcore networkers came out en masse and provided an amazing amount of early morning business sense. I'm never disappointed by these XBIZ sessions," Rowntree said.

Other notable attendees included Dating Gold's A.K., Moose from Girlfriends Films, Intellichat Adult's Billy Thomas and Pure Play Media's Richard Arnold among many more.

Pure Play's Arnold said that he was fairly new to the concept of speed networking but was very surprised at the "non-nonsense' approach the attendees brought to the table.

"I was impressed at how much everyone was prepared with their company line. In just a few minutes I learned more about companies I was curious about than I could have with continuous emails and phone calls. And because I do business in Canada the idea that I can gather so much important B2B stuff in 50 minutes is mind blowing," Arnold said.

OrbitalPay Assistant Vice President Karen Campbell said that Speed Networking was great as usual and added that it's the best place to meet people.

"I came close to making a deal. That's the best part," Campbell said.

The session moderator, XBIZ's Ana Partida noted that by the end of the session attendees were already asking for more and were happy to hear that another program followed.

The next round of Speed Networking is set for tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the Monterey Room of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC Updates Complaint in Tennessee AV Case, AG Motions to Dismiss

The Free Speech Coalition this week filed an amended complaint in its lawsuit challenging the Protect Tennessee Minors Act as unconstitutional, in response to which the Tennessee attorney general motioned for dismissal of the case.

Cherie DeVille Joins Woodhull Freedom Foundation 'Free Speech' Panel

Multi-XMAs winner Cherie DeVille will join the upcoming Woodhull Freedom Foundation panel series "Fact Checked by Woodhull," addressing free speech on Feb. 26.

Wisconsin AV Bill Moves Ahead, Minus Anti-VPN Provisions

The Wisconsin state Senate on Wednesday advanced a bill that would require adult websites to verify the ages of users, but approved an amendment striking proposed language that would have required sites to block virtual private network traffic.

Pineapple Support Introduces 'Wellbeing by PS' Service

Pineapple Support has debuted its new Wellbeing by PS service, providing mental health support packages for companies and agencies.

MyMember.site Integrates Bluesky Functionality

MyMember.site has added Bluesky features to its website management platform.

GirlsDoPorn Defendants Ordered to Pay Victims $75.5 Million

A federal court has ordered former GirlsDoPorn owner Michael Pratt and his co-defendants in the GDP sex trafficking case to pay restitution totaling $75,568,283.47 to 106 victims.

SWR Data Publishes 'Clip Trend' Report

Adult industry market research firm SWR Data has published a report on clip platform performance and sales.

Another German Court Rejects Blocking Orders Against Pornhub, YouPorn

A German court has blocked the Rhineland-Palatinate Media Authority (MA RLP) from forcing telecom providers based within the court’s jurisdiction to cut off access to Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn.

Ofcom Fines Kick Online Entertainment $1 Million for AV Noncompliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom on Thursday fined Kick Online Entertainment 800,000 pounds (more than $1 million) for failing to implement age checks as required for compliance with the Online Safety Act.

FSC Details Legislative Outlook for 2026

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has laid out the legislative outlook for the industry in 2026.

Show More