LAS VEGAS – The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino’s lagoon-style pool and cabanas were center stage for some of the online adult industry’s biggest movers and shakers as well as some ambitious newcomers at the XBIZ Summer Forum ’08. Add to that combination countless bikini-clad models and performers who served up delectable eye candy and a number of spontaneous photo shoots, and you’ve got a mix that won’t soon be forgotten.
The lovely and curvaceous Aria Giovanni was spotted (in a new bikini every day) around the cabanas, enjoying a hand-rolled Havana cigar. And the effervescent Sunny Leone strolled the pool area, but kept her luscious body under wraps in an orange bathing suit cover-up.
Temperatures soared during the three-day trade show, reaching triple digits on Wednesday and 108 degrees on Thursday. Despite the almost unbearable desert heat and the bevy of beautiful women driving many to distraction, business was on everyone’s mind.
Michael Brandvold, director of affiliate sales for online adult retailer Gamelink.com, said one of the things he liked best about this year’s XBIZ Summer Forum was the Hard Rock’s air conditioning.
“I’ve been inside [the hotel] for most of the show,” Brandvold told XBIZ. “But that’s only because I’ve had too many business meetings to make it outside.”
Wasteland.com president and founder Colin Rowntree chose the air conditioned sanctity of the hotel.
“I never go out in the sun when I’m in Vegas,” Rowntree told XBIZ before he headed into the How to Create a Sticky Website seminar where he was speaking.
President of LiveCamNetwork, Mark Prince, beat the heat with a little pool action.
“Compared to Internext, the size of this show is just right,” Prince told XBIZ. “This is the perfect setting for doing business.”
Prince hinted at a number of company announcements on the verge of breaking, a theme that echoed throughout the cabanas.
A spokesperson for fetish site affiliate program TushyCash , who held court at a main-level cabana, said the company was beginning production on a vampire-themed adult title.
Online payment processor Epoch maintained a high-ground cabana.
“I’m having a really good time here,” Danny P, marketing representative for Epoch, told XBIZ. “This is my first time to the show. I’m new to the industry. But this show has made me feel like part of the family.”
New to the show this year was affiliate program Evil Angel Cash represented by John and Karen Stagliano and a number of black-bikini-clad lovelies.
Web-based hosting company NationalNet’s Kathi Stout stayed cool near the misting machine at her company’s cabana.
“We’ve got the best location,” Stout told XBIZ. “And our sales guys are all over the place meeting people.”
The iPorn cabana was one of the busiest spots, nestled in a corner with its parade of black-bikinied models. And close by, the NaughtyBank cabana visitors were treated to the site of Naughty Allie and NaughtyJulie in long T-shirts over their bikinis.
“We’re having a great time here,” said NaughtyBank.com owner Jake Chase.
Kink.com president Peter Acworth hit the pool with his team of lovely ladies and men clad in tasteful red and black bathing suits emblazoned with the Kink logo. The team was on hand to promote the company’s new video-on-demand site KinkonDemand.com . And next door, Jeremy Sullivan, CEO for Dark Circus , kept his fair complexion out of the Sun while doing business.
Exhibitors and attendees said the Hard Rock Hotel was an excellent choice for the show.
“The Hard Rock was a great choice,” BrainCash affiliate program sales and marketing director Pat L told XBIZ. “The hotel has an amazing layout and it’s the perfect place to do business.”
VCXCash.com returned to the show this year.
“We’re having a great time,” VCX President Dave Sutton told XBIZ.
The show also saw the launch of newcomer Vobla , an online adult directory that offers content and traffic.
“We’re very excited to be part of this show,” Vobla’s Vadim told XBIZ. “We were lucky enough to be able to exhibit on a last minute basis and we’re really pleased with what we’ve seen here.”
“I planned on going to only one summer show this year,” IACash president Kenny B told XBIZ. “And this is it — the XBIZ Summer Forum lived up to all my expectations.”
Other exhibitors included AdultPaymaster, AllAdultCash, AMAContent, CameraBoys, CCBill, CECash, CherryPimps, CommerceGate, ExitChat, GTBill, HellHouse, LoadedCash, NetBilling, NetCash, OrbitalPay, PussyCash, PimpRoll, SilverCash, TooMuchMedia, Ulust and VideoSecrets.
