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 © 2026 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

SWR Data Publishes 2026 'Hot List' Report

Adult industry market research outfit SWR Data has published its 2026 Hot List report on the top creator platforms of 2025.

Zariah Aura, Yhivi Headline 'Salacious TS Encounters 3' From TransSensual

Zariah Aura and Yhivi topline “Salacious TS Encounters 3” from Mile High Media studio imprint TransSensual.

Adult Chat Platform Arousr Sets Human-Only Host Policy

Adult chat platform Arousr has announced a policy to only use verified human hosts, not chatbots.

Arizona State Legislator Proposes Porn Ban

A member of Arizona’s House of Representatives on Wednesday introduced a bill that would make it illegal to produce or distribute adult content in that state.

SinfulX AI to Roll Out New Video Generator

AI companion platform SinfulX AI is launching an upgraded video generator in February.

Victoria Grant Fronts Latest From TransAngels

Victoria Grant stars with Johnny Palms in the latest release from TransAngels, titled “Balls Deep in My Football.”

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for November, December

AEBN has published the top search terms for November and December from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

X3 Expo Day 2 Delivers Stars, Screenings and Fan Favorites

The sun once again shone brightly on the historic Hollywood Palladium as throngs of avid fans made their way through the doors, ready to experience Day 2 of the 2026 X3 Expo.

X3 Expo Kicks Into Gear With an All-Star Lineup

Outside the historic Hollywood Palladium on Friday, a huge crowd of fans lined Sunset Boulevard, eagerly awaiting the opening of the 2026 X3 Expo and their big chance to meet the cream of the crop of adult stars.

2026 XBIZ Honors Salutes Resilience Across the Online Adult Industry

The 2026 XBIZ Honors packed house Wednesday night, turning the Kimpton Everly Hotel’s Nichols Ballroom into a gala celebration of industry excellence.

Show More