BURBANK, Calif. — Despite gloomy weather and heavy rainfall, the highly anticipated Winter edition of ANME is now underway at the Burbank Airport Marriott hotel, where crowds of buyers and sellers can make their way through the venue’s three exhibition areas.
Kicking off with the XBIZ-sponsored White Party on Sunday evening, the show floor opened at 9 a.m., offering international buyers a variety of products, ranging from sexy lingerie to innovative toys and kinky accessories.
Located in the tent area, Lovehoney displayed its best-selling ranges such as the Broad City collection, the BlowYo and the final installment in its Official Fifty Shades Official Pleasure collection.
Also showcased prominently in the company’s booth was the Coco de Mer Pleasure Collection bondage range. Lovehoney took a whimsical approach with the Coco de Mer display, showcasing each toy with a note card featuring the historical figure that inspired the product’s design.
“We wanted to add a little bit of quirkiness to our display,” said Kate Hodgson-Egan, Lovehoney's international sales manager. “We’ve added a little bit of history to each toy. And we’re especially proud of Emmeline, which was featured in the newest ‘50 Shades of Grey’ movie.”
The description of the Emmeline body wand read, “Emmeline Pankhurst was one of the leaders of the 20th century suffragette movement that won civil rights for women. She’s named as one of Time’s ‘100 Most Important People’ of the 20th century. She has five vibration patterns, multiple intensities, is fully submersible, contains a travel lock feature and is USB rechargable.”
Also showcased in Lovehoney’s tent was its brand new Uprize dildo collection, featuring patented technology. The dildo, which is presented flaccid, becomes fully erect (and stays erect) with a touch of a button. Hodgson-Egan explained that the toy could be used on its own, with a remote control or with the company’s new harness attachments.
Across from Lovehoney, L.A. Pump showcased its premium line of penis pumps. As for what makes them premium, co-owner Chris Kalev said, “They just work. They really, honestly work. We at L.A. Pumps are trying to remove the stigma, you know? So what sets us apart is that our toys actually work, and we look at the medical aspect of penis pumping, too.
“You know, when a guy pumps his penis and it goes wrong … there’s a lot of issues there,” he added. “I’ve had ex-girlfriends explain to me that they’ve dated guys who pumped incorrectly, and as a result got ‘balloon penises.’
"So, here at L.A. Pumps, we want the guy to have the ultimate experience, we want it to work … and it does. We sell to a lot of medical clinics, and we’re with the guy every step of the way. We want them to have a natural growth, and a great experience.”
Also in the tent, Dame Products co-founder Janet Lieberman explained the upgraded Eva II in detail.
“It’s a fair amount smaller," Lieberman said. "The two flexible wings have been given a ridge to ensure a tighter grip and a deeper tuck into the labia. The wings are also shorter. It is now 100 percent waterproof, and comes with a charging case. We’ve also optimized the button placement, making it easier to access during sex.”
When asked about upcoming products, Lieberman said, “I can’t give any hints out yet … so I’m just going to say … here at Dame Products we’re always working on new, innovative products and ways to make our current products better.”
Located on the other side of the exhibition area, XR Brands’ representatives manned their station wearing matching baseball jerseys with the words “USA COCK” proudly emblazoned on the front. The company’s biggest displayed featured its brand new USA Cocks, which are realistic dildos in various sizes made with dual-density TPR.
Keeping in line with its adult performer product lines, XR Brands also introduced two realistic silicone dildos molded after Pacifico Entertainment stars Dominic Pacifico and Casey Everett, as well as adult star Jesse Jane’s new molded collection.
The company also showcased the newest items in its Master Series collection, its new Rimmers series of anal plugs featuring rotating beads to emulate the feel of analingus, as well as its newest “anal snakes,” which were a whopping 19 inches long.
“Go deep or go home,” XR Brand’s Joanie Lee said in response to the anal snakes.
Please products company Creative Conceptions’ booth was also located inside the tent. CEO Richie Bowles explained the latest addition to the company’s line of novelty products, The Predictive Pecker. Holding the toy in his hand, he demonstrated how the pecker could foretell the future.
“It’s all dependent on the person, you know?” He said. The pecker curled into his hand, which meant he was meant to fall asleep. “Sometimes someone’s hands are warmer, sometimes their hands are sweaty, sometimes they just have slippery palms. Those are all things that shift the pecker into a particular position. It’s really fun.”
He also discussed Creative Conceptions’ new PowErect line of enhancement cream. “It works well. You just get a little dollop of the cream, spread it on yourself and watch it work instantly. It also works for men who aren’t responsive to enhancement pills, or things like that.” The product, he added, could be bought in individual packets or in pump form.
Bowles also debuted the new Skins Vibe Ring and Performance Ring. The Vibe Ring “features intense vibrations, sensuous stimulation and helps to prolong play, while the Performance Ring is an instant boost, helps increase firmness, helps with longer endurance and offers intense pleasure, too.”
Shots America exhibited its new stroker that featured self-lubricating technology (SLT). The user simply adds water to the inside of the toy. “It’s expected to be a big hit,” said Joey Teodoro, director of operations and sales for Shots Canada explained. “And at just $9.99, there’s no way it won’t sell out.” Also on display, was the Chrystalino line of hand blown glass products that were unveiled at the Summer edition of ANME.
Other companies inside the tent area included LELO, which showcased its Sona and the product’s’ “Cruise Control;” Novel Erotics that showcased its “Arabian Nights” sextoy kit featuring Indian-inspired garb for roleplaying; and Hot Octopuss that featured its Pocket Pulse series.
Exiting the Exhibitor Tent and heading to the City Ballroom, companies Baci Lingerie, NS Novelties, Evolved Novelties and Hott Products showcased their latest products.
Hott Products’ display featured a variety of different collections, ranging from its bachelorette items to gag gifts to sex toys. Hott Products’ Jessica Lopez and Jaime Raigosa explained how the company’s Gold Stroke masturbator device worked.
“We’ve made sure this technology is safe,” Raigosa said. “If the toy notices there is something that is stuck in the sleeve, it will automatically stop itself. It’s soft, efficient and works very well.”
Hott Products, additionally, unveiled new products to its line of realistic strokers, Skintastic, many of which included more detailed veins, as well as the Cumquake 2, a remote controlled vibrating dildo. Other products showcased at Hott Products’ booth were its new dick-shaped lollipops named Cum Pops, and its triple-ended buttplug.
“With three ends, a person can gradually grow with their toy,” Raigosa added. “You just move onto the next one, all conveniently there. I’m really proud. I designed that one.”
NS Novelties drew crowds to its display, which featured its glow-in-the-dark sex toy collection, “Firefly.”
“You like it?” an NS Novelties representative asked. “I designed it! I was like … we need more lights! Lots of lights, lights, lights!”
Evolved Novelties also turned heads with its fun display. A large banner, displaying its Infinite Thrusting Machine. The sign read, “We’re gonna need a bigger booth!”
Baci Lingerie displayed its White Label Collection, and showed-off its new candy panties. “Just like the Superman and superhero panties, we acquired the licensing rights to these candy companies and made those cuties,” a spokesperson explained.
ANME’s festivities will continue tomorrow. For more information and a full list of exhibitors, visit ANMEFounders.com.
