Grooby Scores Pair of 2022 XBIZ Industry Exec Nominations

LOS ANGELES — Grooby is celebrating a pair of 2022 XBIZ Exec Awards nominations, online edition, for creative and editorial director Kristel Penn and company founder and CEO Steven Grooby.

Nominees were selected based on several success factors including leadership, business acumen, community influence and overall career achievement as submitted by members of the adult industry via XBIZ.net.

Voting for the 2022 XBIZ Exec Awards is now open. Industry members may cast their votes here.

Grooby, winner of the 2019 "Progressive Leadership Award," is nominated for "Businessman of the Year."

“I look at the fellow nominees of my friends and peers, and it's indeed an honor to be included alongside them. Thank you for nominating me,” he said. “The timing of this nomination means so much to me as we’re also celebrating our 25th anniversary. We’re looking forward to another 25 years of innovating our genre.”

Penn, the reigning "Community Figure of the Year," also earned "Brand Ambassador of the Year" honors in 2017. She is the executive producer of the Trans Erotica Awards and the founder of the Sad But Rad Club, a mental health and wellness platform.

“The ‘Community Figure of the Year’ Award is a category that holds great personal significance to me,” she said, “Although Grooby is, in many ways, a traditional production company, I’m proud that our company also prioritizes community outreach and support. I feel fortunate I’ve been able to use both Grooby and Sad But Rad Club as platforms to create educational mental health resources for trans performers, in addition to speaking about topics like destigmatizing sex work and advocating for competent care for performers.”

The XBIZ Exec Awards will be presented as part of the annual XBIZ Honors ceremonies, with the online industry edition hosted on Jan. 5 in conjunction with the XBIZ L.A. conference and the retail edition on Jan. 11 during the ANME/XBIZ Show.

Visit Grooby.com and follow Steven Grooby and Kristel Penn on Twitter.

For the complete list of nominees, click here.

Grooby

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Melody Marks, Gray Perrier Make Their Transfixed Debuts

Melody Marks and Gray Perrier have made their Transfixed debuts in "Neighbor’s Creampie Surprise."

Leah Hayes Returns to TransAngels

Leah Hayes stars with Robby Apples in the latest release from TransAngels, titled "Touchdown Fuckdown."

Pre-Nominations Now Open for 2026 TEAs

The pre-nomination period for the 2026 Trans Erotica Awards (TEAs) is now open.

FSC Releases Updated Age-Verification Toolkit

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has announced the release of its updated age verification toolkit.

Duke Tax Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Duke Tax has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

UK Moving Ahead with Plan to Outlaw 'Choking' Content

The U.K. government has announced its intent to follow through on criminalizing “choking” content, a plan that was announced earlier this year.

Yhivi Stars in Latest From Transfixed

Yhivi stars with Foxxy and Summer Col in the latest release from Transfixed, titled "Detention Tension."

Italy to Require Age Verification for Adult Sites

Italian media regulator AGCOM has announced that all sites and platforms hosting adult content will be required to implement age verification systems starting Nov. 12 to prevent access by users under 18.

Ana Foxxx, Jade Venus Star in Latest From Transfixed

Ana Foxxx and Jade Venus star in the latest release from Transfixed, titled "Third Date Jitters."

'MILFlicious' Launches Through YourPaysitePartner

MILFlicious.com has officially launched through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Show More