WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — XBIZ 360 kicked off Tuesday evening at the Andaz Hotel in West Hollywood for three days of symposiums, events and networking and deal-making opportunities.
Day Zero included the XBIZ 360 Golf Tournament, the ever-popular Mix & Meet and the 2015 XBIZ Executive Awards, honoring adult entertainment industry professionals in the online market.
It also included a party at Sunset Strip’s Viper Room, where Money Shot, a band comprised of adult industry execs, performed, and the 15th Annual Cybersocket Awards.
While the highlight of the evening included the XBIZ Executive Awards, which honored the creativity, dedication and professionalism of those in the online adult entertainment industry, the Mix & Meet, presented by CECash, provided a great opportunity for attendees to get acquainted with and catch up with colleagues and the newest offering from leading brands within the online adult industry.
Mia Huyn, who operates Mobius Payments as CEO and was featured in XBIZ World’s Presidential Suite feature this month, said that the turnout for the Mix & Meet was stellar.
“I feel that the people are very real,” she said. “There is nothing more real than sex, and everybody here is pretty rule. I really enjoy this group.”
Stan of Webstream.co.uk, a U.K. company that offers webcam, phone chat and video clips services, said that Mix & Meet provided a great outlet for his company to find more business.
“XBIZ 360 is probably the biggest event of the year,” Stan said. “We are really happy to be here in L.A. We have done quite well in the U.K., and now we are looking globally.”
The XBIZ Executive Awards, held in the rooftop penthouse of the Andaz Hotel with its spectacular hillside views of Los Angeles, provided another opportunity to network before and after the awards program
Colin Rowntree, the longtime operator of Wasteland, called the first day of XBIZ 360 “the best one so far.”
“The hotel is splendid, food is great, the service is great and the venue is quite intimate,” Rowntree said. “The turnout is, so far what I’ve seen, is really up this year. And the highlight was the XBIZ Executive Awards dinner where, with many thanks to XBIZ, I picked up the Progressive Leadership Award.
“It’s a great show so far,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the XBIZ 360 Golf Tournament was held with a group of business execs who teed off at a nearby course.
Stephen Bugbee, who organized the XBIZ 360 Golf Tournament, said that he couldn’t ask for a better day on the green.
“It was just a beautiful day of golfing and networking … just how it should be,” Bugbee said.
Day 1 of XBIZ 360 begins this morning, with a full set of seminars, speed networking, a keynote by Utherverse’s Brian Shuster and an evening party, the Winter Wonderland lingerie and pajama-themed party, sponsored by Mr. Skin and presented in association with LATATA talent agencies.
Brad Mitchell, the owner of MojoHost, said that he’s looking forward to next couple of days of education, networking and the 2015 XBIZ Awards, which will take place Thursday night.
“We love XBIZ; that’s why we are here,” Mitchell said.
Even Ron Jeremy, the longtime porn actor and personality known as “The Hedgehog,” said that he’s glad he’s made it to the show.
“I always have fun at the XBIZ shows; this one is starting out great. I’m looking forward to the next couple of days,” Jeremy said.
