BURBANK, Calif. — ANME, the Adult Novelty Manufacturers Expo, wrapped its summer edition with a bustling show floor as vendors and buyers talked business until the event’s doors closed.
The last day of ANME saw several vendors praising the show’s success and all of the orders that were written over the past three days. Sales goals were met and buyers walked away with the latest wares for sexual health and pleasure.
COTR, Inc. showcased its three distinct brands within its booth, with new products and a new collection debuting from Le Wand and new b-Vibe toys on display. Le Wand introduced its new Chrome line of rose-gold and black massagers made of body-safe metal and silicone. Each design is compact, and can be enhanced with accessories such as Le Wand’s new textured silicone rings and caps.
“There’s a social stigma around big toys, so we wanted to introduce items that can hide in plain sight as well as be more portable,” Le Wand founder and CEO Alicia Sinclair said.
In keeping with the company’s inclusive, sex-positive mission, Le Wand has also introduced its Le Wand Petite Massager in new blue and black colors. “We have been getting a lot of requests for colors that appeal to a wider audience,” Sinclair added.
In the b-Vibe section of COTR’s booth, the company introduced a new travel-friendly sterilizing pouch that will discreetly clean a variety of pleasure products. The b-Vibe Rimming Plug XL, a larger version of the company’s flagship Rimming Plug, debuted as well.
The rapidly expanding Nalpac team was out in full force at ANME with different reps meeting with vendors throughout the event. Nalpac CEO Steve Craig said he attended primarily with the goal of fortifying relationships.
“It’s a great opportunity to network, strengthen relationships and build new ones,” he said.
Inside the main room, pioneering pleasure products company Nasstoys welcomed customers throughout the show’s three days with multiple sales execs on hand to showcase the company’s newest releases.
“This show’s been going very, very well,” Nasstoys’ Christina Crespo said. “All of our customers have loved the new releases. Our Vibes of New York collection is really taking off.”
The Vibes of New York collection features a mix of classic vibe designs with upgraded features that include the Ribbed Suction Massager, Heat-up Bunny Massager, G-spot Massager, and a Rabbit Massager.
Melody Cazarin, Nasstoys’ sales representative, added that the company’s Anal-Ese collection also has been a popular addition among ANME attendees. Based on the Nasstoys’ old-school Anal-Ese cream — a bestseller for the company for more than 20 years — the Anal-Ese line offers four unique products for backdoor fun, including a Rotating P-Spot Vibe, Remote Control P-spot Stimulator, Remote Control Heat-up P-spot & Testicle Stimulator, and Chainlink Cockrings.
CalExotics showcased a selection of new products — and perhaps one of the most uniquely shaped masturbators, the Optimum Power Master Ball, which many attendees joked looked like the Death Star from “Star Wars.” However, jokes aside, the new masturbator offers a unique experience with dual motors that provide 10 functions of vibration and compression.
Additionally, CalExotics introduced a new sexual wellness collection called She-ology, which was made in collaboration with Dr. Sherry Ross, an obstetrician-gynecologist. CalExotics’ new In Touch interchangeable massager is unlike others,with attachments that are not only shaped differently but offer different functions such as suction, rotation and pulsation. “Each one offers something unique and that’s what makes it better than others out there,” CalExotics’ Nichole Grossman said.
Across from CalExotics, Dr. Jack’s CBD showcased its assortment of products with a lab-themed booth offering full-spectrum oils, tinctures, edibles, pain relief products, sleep aids, skincare and bath products. Chris Cercy, a representative of the company, noted that the founder, industry vet Richie Harris, is passionate about CBD products and credits them for helping him heal following open-heart surgery.
“He used CBD religiously and it helped him heal, so he really believes in its benefits,” Cercy said, adding that the company’s goal is to educate retail sales reps on the benefits of CBD in order to better help them explain CBD to shoppers. Along with educational pamphlets, the company also has an information-packed website.
Uberlube showcased its flagship product in the company’s signature round booth display that spotlights the brand’s translucent glass bottles. Uberlube also offers a travel-friendly Good-to-Go Traveler refillable case.
“I think it’s the discreet look that appeals to people in stores,” said Maehelena Vermy, a representative of Uberlube. “Retailers say that it basically sells itself and a lot of people request it by name — the word is out!”
Showcasing its array of condoms and lubricants, Paradise Marketing maintained a steady stream of customers throughout the show.
“The show was pleasantly well-attended,” said owner Dennis Paradise. “Customers came looking to do more business and to find ways to make business more profitable. They came educated, ambitious and ready to learn more.”
In addition to being savvy about products and business, adult retail staff is often expected to provide knowledge on sex. Sex educator and industry vet Anne Hodder-Shipp founded Everyone Deserves Sex Education (EDSE) to provide accurate, compassionate and queer-inclusive sex education, which can be used in communicating with adult retail shoppers.
“With only 13 states in the U.S. requiring that sex ed be medically accurate,” Hodder-Shipp said, “customers are left to figure it out on their own. Let’s provide accurate information and apply compassion skills.”
Sportsheets showcased its new Em.Ex line with models from the collection’s packaging and marketing campaign on hand to sport the underwear harnesses.
Sportsheets’ Emily Silva debuted a new title at ANME, announcing on Facebook that the event was her first in her new role as private label specialist.
“Developing a brand through private labeling is great for retailers,” she said. “This is something that I’ve been doing for years but now I get to really focus on it and already I’m getting a great response.”
Screaming O introduced several new items, including the Bestie bullet — which is among the company’s new products that are “remote-control ready.” That means consumers can simply contact Screaming O to obtain a free remote control for their vibe. According to Screaming O Marketing Manager Gideon Perez, the optional remote allows the products to retail at more affordable prices.
The company also introduced new seasonal items like a holiday stocking, Valentine’s Day kit and the Black as Your Soul gift set of all-black toys. Tomorrow, Screaming O will be hosting customers and friends at its freshly remodeled headquarters in Torrance, Calif.
“They spoiled us with the new facilities,” Perez said. “It’s more conducive to business and gives us the tools that we need.”
The remodeled office will include a video studio that the company will use to create more video content and host live-streaming training, Perez added.
As the last day of ANME wound down, vendors began packing up with the satisfaction of having not only had a productive, profitable three days, but yet another fun, memorable ANME on the books.
To check out more photos from ANME, check out our galleries here, here and here.
