LOS ANGELES — Anticipation is mounting for the nearly sold out 2013 XBIZ Retreat, the industry’s leading B2B invitation-only, three-day event that brings together top vendors of adult goods with qualified buyers from leading distributors and retailers.
With two months left before the mid-May Retreat, a slate of new participants will experience focused and methodized face-to-face meetings where business can be conducted in a luxuriously relaxed, professional setting.
To date, only two spaces remain for manufacturers of intimate products and adult DVD vendors seeking to participate in what’s become the industry’s most sought-after private event.
The posh surroundings and unique format of the XBIZ Retreats have been described by past participants as a “must-event,” ‘a perfect mix of buyers and manufacturers,” and “a perfect platform for game-changing business through group discussions and one-on-one meetings.”
Liberator executive vice president Michael Kane, one of this year’s premier vendor participants said of the upcoming event, “As Liberator continues to grow, more and more of our business involves selling other products outside of the Liberator brand.Currently, 20 to 25 percent of our Liberator.com sales come from non-Liberator branded goods so we are always looking for new and exciting items to bring on board.
“In the past Liberator has been on the selling side of the equation and for the first time we will be on both sides at this year’s retreat. I will be representing the buy side and Rick Lockett, our senior vice president of sales will be on the sell side, participating in the one-on-one meetings. I suppose our session will be quite interesting.”
Kane was further excited about meeting “old friends” like Mark Franks, Larry Garland and Michael Guilfoyle from Masque.
“This year is sure to be exciting and we are excited to be able to be a part of the event,” Kane said.
Kane’s s not alone in being excited about the Miami event that will be packed with qualified buyers and top vendors.
“We are participating because we find this forum to be creative, innovative and a highly efficient approach in meeting directly with buyers, Sierra Sage Herbs, LLC sales and marketing executive Jodi Scott said. “We are hoping this gives us an opportunity to share in greater length and on a more intimate level the buzz of our Southern Butter products and reach more folks through higher volume distribution channels.”
The Pleasure Chest’s buying coordinator Robin Jennings agreed. “I’m really looking forward to meeting with interesting new vendors, all under the Miami sun. I expect it will be a memorable place to make strong new business connections.”
Another buyer, Komar Company’s Mark Foreman added, “I’m honored to represent Komar Company at this year’s XBIZ Retreat. It will allow for a productive networking opportunity in what I expect to be a very relaxed, private and uninterrupted atmosphere. Further, I’m really looking forward to spending one-on-one time with new vendors that I don’t have the opportunity to meet at other trade shows.”
Another retailer excited to engage with fellow market leaders in the posh, tropical setting, is Déjà Vu Love Boutique.
“I think by sharing and gathering market knowledge on our industry we can all obtain a better position in the market and how to keep up with the changing trends,” Deju Vu Love Boutique’s regional manger Liz Kalejs said. “It only makes our industry stronger as a whole. You can engage in real time conversation with your suppliers, build new relationships, and deeper connections.”
Coast-to-Coast Video Sales Ltd.’s Fantasy Factory Chain general manger Amanda Perry said she wants to build long-lasting industry relationships and feels the retreat is the perfect place to accomplish her goal. “I hope to see new products and possibly make some orders. But in all I think it’s a great way to network.”
For inquiries, contact theretreat@xbiz.com.
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