BURBANK, Calif. – The ANME Founders Show wrapped its full first day yesterday, with an expanded spread of exhibitor spaces displaying a wide mix of pleasure products and lingerie.
On the main exhibitor floor, Pipedream welcomed its guests with an expanded center booth. Pipedream took advantage of the increased space to showcase several new collections and its Planogrammer software, and to meet with visitors.
Rob Phaneuf, vice president of product development, told XBIZ that among its new products, the Ceramix Pleasure Pottery and Pure Aluminum collections were the biggest draws.
“The theme is ‘feeling is believing’ and that’s the reaction we’ve been getting at the show,” Phaneuf said. “Ceramix is the ultimate line for temperature play and it’s unlike anything else so it’s gotten a huge response at the show.”
The ceramic line includes vibrating and non-vibrating styles ¬– which can be filled with hot or cold water. The Ceramix and Pure Aluminum lines’ packaging also is meant to be touched, with raised patterns and textures.
“There’s really not really anything more to say than it’s the biggest and best show ever,” Pipedream and ANME CEO Nick Orlandino said.
CalExotics’ space grew with the addition of JOPEN’s own, unique space. JOPEN marked its three years in the marketplace this year with the launch of a catalog, which includes new massager styles and the Essence sub-collection of enhancing sprays.
“Within the first few hours of the show, we began getting an overwhelming response to our booth,” said Susan Colvin, president of founder of CalExotics. “Across the board, we’ve gotten a great response to our new products. They like the power and dual stimulation of the JOPEN and Envy lines and they love the glass bottle packaging of Essence.”
Not to be outdone, Doc Johnson’s expansive booth hosted a signing in promotion of its MILF in a Box line, which was launched in partnership with Vicky Vette’s Vette Nation (VNA). MILF performer Julia Ann was on hand for the apple-pie themed affair.
“I’ve been in the industry for 21 years so I’ve had my fair amount of relationship with Doc Johnson and [founder] Ron Braverman,” Julia Ann said. “From day one I’ve wanted to have a product with Doc Johnson. I’ve always felt that their quality is superior.”
Chad Braverman, Doc Johnson COO, added, “We couldn’t be more excited about working with VNA. They are by far the most aggressive marketers and are business –saavy. They are very in tune with than their fans want. It’s been a treat to work with them. We know they’ll give the products that push.”
Stockroom displayed its new set of Electro Erotic Neon Wand attachments, offering users light to extreme electrosex experiences.
“I love the quality of this show,” said Layla Ross, Stockroom’s distribution and packaging director. “The buyers that it attracts and the way it’s organized allows me to walk away feeling confident that we’ve made new business and strengthened existing relationships.”
Kama Sutra held a taste testing of its range of edibles in its booth, including the newly repackaged Oils of Love collection.
“We’re now really hitting a new generation,” Kama Sutra’s Rob La Joie said. “All of the retailers that we’ve encountered are really impressed with all of the brilliant colors of our packaging, which really engages the customer.”
The Screaming O flexed its marketing prowess with “mustache rides,” a photo booth setup offering visitors an opportunity to pose on a vibrating mustache, wearing fake mustaches. The promo was in support of its new MusiachiO vibrator that is wearable on the face. Screaming O also debuted the Paco’s Taco stroker, as well as its high-end PrimO silicone line and the Opium collection of flexible vibes, which will soon feature interchangeable attachments, Screaming O President Justin Ross said.
Topco Sales’ booth focused on its new CyberSkin Reality Girls love dolls. The foam-filled life-sized dolls weigh about 44 pounds and come in various sexual positions.
“The main reaction we’ve gotten is just ‘wow,’” Topco Sales’ Scott Tucker said. “We gathered some feedback and implemented it into new packaging.”
The CyberSkin Reality Dolls were promoted through commercials, including a doll skydiving, that were shown on a 3D TV screen.
As part of ANME’s expansion, a newly added tent held more vendors of pleasure products and lingerie.
Among the main attractions of the tent exhibitor space was the Crave booth’s Build-A-Vibrator station, where visitors where taken through the steps of assembling Crave’s USB-rechargeable Duet vibe. Buyers picked the components and went through a guided assembly tutorial that included testing functions and waterproof sealing.
Alvin Chang, who runs the engineering department for Crave, said the idea for Build-A-Vibe originated with the company’s launch on crowd-sourcing site.
“We had friends and family help assemble Duet in order to for us to fulfill orders,” Chang said. “We saw that people enjoyed it and now it’s a good way for retailers and distributors to see how the product is made.”
Blush Novelties presented its 12-piece Real Nude range of Platinum cured silicone dongs. Eric Lee, product developer of Blush Novelties, said the combination is the cleanest you can get.
“Everyone’s been saying that they have to have this line,” Lee said. “There is a lot of demand for dual density silicone.”
Impulse Novelties also presented a silicone line of vibes. The Closet Collection features 32 items geared towards a younger crowd, said Tanica Tome. “The line is doing very well – especially our rabbits,” she said. “The theme of women’s shoes is also very appealing to the ladies.”
