LOS ANGELES — Kimberly Scott Faubel of COTR and Josh Ortiz of XR Brands have been named co-hosts of the 2024 XBIZ Honors, the pleasure industry’s biggest night, set for Jan. 14 at the stylish Loews Hollywood Hotel.
Faubel began her career on the retail side of the pleasure industry in 2003, and currently serves as sales director for COTR. With inclusion and sex-positivity at the forefront of her endeavors, Faubel was named XBIZ Community Figure of the Year in 2019 and nominated for WIA Woman of the Year.
Ortiz is a sex educator and brand ambassador for XR Brands, with a pair of XBIZ award wins under his belt. In 2021 he was named Brand Ambassador of the Year, and in 2023 his “Screw Taboo with The Dad Bod Dom” social media sex-ed sessions earned him the trophy for Retail Training Program of the Year.
Both co-hosts shared their excitement about coming together on the XBIZ Honors stage.
“When I was asked to co-host, it was an easy ‘yes,’” Faubel said. “When I was told I would co-host with Josh Ortiz, it sent me over the moon! As a longtime performer and teacher of improv comedy, I wholeheartedly believe in connection and trust on stage. Josh and I have a great foundation of banter, respect, trust and ridiculousness. If nothing else, I know he and I will have a good time! Which should translate well to the crowd of hopeful nominees and supporters.”
Ortiz expressed equal enthusiasm about hosting alongside Faubel, calling her “a fantastic and hysterical human, and definitely someone deserving this honor.”
“As for me? Absolutely terrified — 14-out-of-10 anxiety,” Ortiz said. “Hosting is giving me ‘sharting at the spelling bee’ vibes, but that’s apparently the only way I thrive, so let’s do it! I’m not sure how anyone could ever top last year’s hosts, Megan Swartz and Adam Hasner, but we’re going to give it our best!”
The 2024 XBIZ Honors annual gala will cap off a vibrant weekend featuring the inaugural Vibe Expo, which will unfold at the Loews Hollywood Hotel Jan. 11-14.
For information about Vibe Expo, click here. For XBIZ Honors event inquiries, click here.
