LOS ANGELES — After more than two years since leading vendors and buyers gathered for the flagship winter edition of XBIZ Retreat, the exclusive event for the adult retail industry is set to make its long-awaited in-person return Jan. 11-15.
Participants of the January edition of XBIZ Retreat, presented by Satisfyer, also get access to a multitude of festivities surrounding “XBIZ week,” including the annual XBIZ Honors ceremony on Jan. 12, to be hosted by industry vets Megan Swartz and Adam Hasner.
Following XBIZ Retreat will be the triumphant return of X3 Expo, which will showcase the biggest lineup of stars and marquee brands in North America for a tantalizing mashup of all things sexy at the historic Hollywood Palladium.
The annual star-studded XBIZ Awards will wrap up XBIZ’s January events series.
The all-inclusive, invite-only XBIZ Retreat will once again offer its signature schedule of private meetings and exclusive networking opportunities, along with a VIP experience that includes cocktail mixers, gourmet dinners and evening entertainment.
In less than two weeks, the Miami edition of XBIZ Retreat will mark the event’s official return to an in-person format. With anticipation running high, participants are sharing their excitement for next year’s winter edition.
“XBIZ Retreat is absolutely my favorite trade show as I find it to be the most valuable for doing business,” said Swartz, director of purchasing for Janra. “I am most excited for XBIZ Honors because I love to see our industry peers get recognition for all their hard work and, of course, because I will be the co-host!”
Loretta Goodling, the buyer for Pennsylvania-based Excitement Adult Stores, also said that she is particularly excited about the January edition of XBIZ Retreat.
“I love the awards show and being in California,” she said. “XBIZ is one of my favorite shows to attend because they bring top manufacturers and buyers together in such a special way.”
XR Brands’ senior sales executive Sarai Foster, and Michael Guilfoyle, the company’s director of international marketing and business development, also shared their favorite highlights about XBIZ Retreat, which is held three times a year.
“XBIZ Retreats have always been one of my favorite events,” Foster said. “We share many laughs with old and new friends, check out the latest L.A. scene, and find out what the latest trends in our industry are.”
Guilfoyle calls XBIZ Retreat a must-attend event for suppliers and buyers, crediting the “great business, great industry support and great camaraderie” that it fosters.
Alejandra Preciado, buyer for Fantasias Boutique, also highlighted XBIZ Retreat as a platform for creating business and friendships that she says have benefited the Tijuana-based retailer. Additionally, the January edition offers “the fun, entertainment and glamor of L.A.,” she said.
“Bringing it back in person is great! We miss our peers and partners,” Preciado added. “This event is an elevated experience, and the one-on-one meetings make it better and easier to do business."
Nexus Managing Director Monique Carty said that January's XBIZ Retreat is a great way to start off the year on the right foot.
"I love connecting with our customers and planning for the year ahead in a location that doesn’t make it feel like work," she said.
For more information, visit XBIZRetreat.com or contact theretreat@xbiz.com.
