Sven Hurum, who organized the event, said Venus first began in Berlin because of the city’s international status.
“Berlin is of great international importance,” Hurum said. “Venus was designed as an international trade fair right from the start.”
The show, which began in 1996, replaced a smaller fair aimed exclusively at the German market, Hurum said, adding that gaining widespread support for the larger show required working closely with the Berlin Senate to secure the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.
“Each year, Venus simply got bigger, more international and more important as a platform for the erotic sector,” Hurum said.
The show has grown in leaps and bounds in terms of exhibition space, trade visitors, consumers and media coverage, according to Hurum
Over the years the company has also brought the tradeshow to Paris, and plans to open its doors in Shanghai in the future.
According to Hurum, this year’s show, which will run in Berlin from Oct. 19-22, will treat visitors to a new exhibition — Venus Web Area. The Internet-focused exhibition area will serve as a meeting place for Internet-based industry professionals to link forces with brick-and-mortar businesses.
Joining the two sides of the adult entertainment industry at one show is something that is of critical importance, Hurum said, adding that as show organizers, Venus plans to do all it can to meet the demands of exhibitors and visitors alike.
