The mix and mingle bash held last evening at the Sofitel Hotel Stone Rose Lounge was made possible by sponsors including Wicked Pictures, Adam & Eve, the Screaming O, Eldorado Trading, Good Vibrations and XBIZ.
Adult director and DJ Jack Napier provided musical entertainment for the evening that rocked the Sofitel bar and allowed attendees and vendors alike to get their groove on in support of the FSC.
Show attendees that attended the previous night's XBIZ Awards received special goody bags from the FSC and a chance to win prizes including an Apple iPad.
Eldorado Trading owner Larry Garland, a newly appointed member to the FSC board of directors said, "All of the people at tonight's gathering are here to support the FSC and have generously donated. It can't be stressed enough how important it is for the retail sector to follow these leaders in support of this fine organization."
Another retail luminary, Good Vibrations' Joel Kaminsky echoed Garland's thoughts and added that he was very encouraged by the turnout.
"Only a small percentage of retailers belong to the FSC. We need to break that spirit of apathy and this is a great first start," Kaminsky said.
FSC membership director Joanne Cachapero told XBIZ that the FSC is grateful to all of the retail sponsors that came out to support the Lounge get together.
"This party is a great opportunity for us to reach another important segment of the adult industry and an amazing first retail show for XBIZ. The casual atmosphere has greatly contributed to us confirming our relationships with the retailers.
Also on hand was Wicked Pictures director Brad Armstrong and contract stars Stormy Daniels, Jessica Drake and Kaylani Lei.
Armstrong told XBIZ that the key across all areas of adult is to support the cause of free speech. "The other side has so many mouthpieces. Our key is to have events like this where everyone in adult realizes we have a voice. And that includes the people in front of the camera like us — who go to these events and town hall meetings."
Plaid Bag Media's Peter Reynolds, a veteran of adult whose content licensing business now includes international distribution made a point that the more we [the industry] stay together here at home, the stronger we become.
Adding to the soiree were the prize drawings. Eldorado Trading donated a portable stripper pole, a Fleshlight and a Hitachi Magic Wand for the raffle. The FSC also raffled a new Apple iPad that helped the FSC see a healthy amount in donations.
Tod Carter of Sportsheets was the lucky iPad winner.
"I love the FSC. We support it fully and this was a great prize. Every cent I spent on these raffle tickets was worth it simply to support the FSC's great work. And of course I love my iPad," Carter said.
“We want to thank all of our sponsors — XBIZ, Wicked Pictures, El Dorado, Adam & Eve, The Screaming O and Good Vibrations. This was a great, casual event where show attendees mixed and mingled with our sponsors without leaving the hotel," Cachepero said.
She added, “It’s important to raise funds and we did very well, but it was also important to raise awareness with industry members in retail at this fun, industry-only party."