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

Segpay Opens New Global Headquarters in Boca Raton

Segpay has selected Boca Raton for its new global headquarters.

X3 Euro All-Stars Paint Amsterdam Red in Billboard Campaign

The X3 Expo Euro All-Stars are making a splash on the vibrant streets of Amsterdam as the creator-first fan event prepares to make its debut on the continent.

Tiny Secret Games Taps Pauline Schmiechen for Growth and Partnerships Advisor

Adult game studio Tiny Secret Games has named Pauline Schmiechen as its new growth and partnerships advisor.

BranditScan Names Aerie Saunders as Community Manager

BranditScan has named Aerie Saunders as its new community manager.

Grooby Producer/Director Louie Damazo Passes Away

Longtime Grooby producer and director Louie Damazo passed away Sunday at his home in Brazil at the age of 58.

'Goddess' Charlotte Sins Blesses the September Issue of X3 Magazine

Charlotte Sins graces the cover of the September issue of X3 magazine, the premier publication capturing the real personalities, passions, and stories behind top stars.

Centrobill Names Len Garcia as Chief Sales Officer

Centrobill has named Len Garcia as its new chief sales officer.

Mistrezz.AI Joins ASACP as Corporate Sponsor

The UK-based adult AI companion platform Mistrezz.AI has signed on as the latest corporate sponsor for Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP).

Woodhull Freedom Foundation Debunks Pornography Myths in Latest Edition of 'Fact Checked' Series

Woodhull Freedom Foundation is hosting the latest edition of its virtual series “Fact Checked by Woodhull,” addressing myths about pornography.

Utah VPN Enforcement Pause Extended in Aylo Lawsuit

Provisions of a Utah law making adult websites liable if minors in the state circumvent geolocation efforts to bypass age verification, which were set to come into force in May, have again been put on hold temporarily.

Show More