LONDON — XBIZ London is pleased to announce that the UK Adult Producers trade group will hold a panel session at the annual international digital media trade show that will focus on the ever-changing business landscape in the U.K. and beyond.
“UKAP will discuss the changes with being in the adult business via its key members, Terry Stephens and Gary Beaumont, and guests, Jerry Barnett of Sex & Censorship and attorney Myles Jackman,” Stephens said today. “The panel will open the discussion with a Q&A for attendees.”
UKAP, a members’ association of content producers that has been proactive in supporting the adult entertainment industry, has helped guide the English business community for more than 10 years on the various issues arising from changes in legislation, regulation and health issues with talent.
In recent years, the U.K. adult entertainment industry has become under siege over seemingly onerous moves by the government to curb viewing of hardcore content in the name of child protection.
U.K. ISPs have automatically been imposing filters on customers since last year, and now new moves for additional age-verification provisions is underway.
Just last month, Prime Minister David Cameron warned that porn sites will face being shut down unless its operators take action to stop children accessing their sexually explicit material.
All the while, U.K. video-on-demand regulator ATVOD has been given increased enforcement duties to spot and adjudicate through statutory rules content that would be denied a British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) certificate — material that includes acts of female ejaculation, spanking, fisting, water sports, full bondage and other types of strong explicit content.
The issue of age verification has been a touchy one, particularly for those in the industry who fear Cameron's initiative isn't directed for the betterment of society; it's a tactic that translates to wholesale censorship.
XBIZ London, running Sept. 15-18, will offer an all-new series of educational sessions this year, as well as numerous networking opportunities in Europe’s largest adult consumer market, setting the stage for the continent’s fall trade show circuit.
The Hilton DoubleTree Tower of London hotel is located in the heart of the city near the financial district and features complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, with an iMac in every guest room and a number of dining options on site, including the City Café restaurant and 12th floor rooftop SkyLounge bar that features a 360-degree view of greater London for intimate networking.
XBIZ London organizers are currently slating and firming up the seminar and event lineup. Already, some of the special events have been announced, including the Webmaster Football Match, which will be an opening-day highlight of the conference. Participating webmasters and company executives will be provided custom jerseys featuring the individual’s name and company.
“We’re very near on debuting XBIZ London’s seminar and event lineup,” XBIZ Events Director Moe Helmy said today. “Our program will be educationally rich and robust, while also allowing for a number of events that will help attendees get to know one another better.”
Affiliates qualify for free registration, while members of XBIZ.net qualify for discounted event admission.
For more information, including speaking and sponsorship opportunities, visit XBIZLondon.com.
