10 minute read

All Around The World

Warrington, England

ETO readers with long memories may recall the hullabaloo that erupted back in 2006 when UK retailer Nice ‘n’ Naughty was asked to sponsor a local cricket team. The team was threatened with expulsion unless it pulled out of the deal, and the fallout from the row went around the world.

Fast-forward 18 years and the Nice ‘n’ Naughty name can finally be seen on sports kit. Sunday league football team Pines FC from Formby have been playing in the same kit for over four seasons, due to a lack of sponsorship.

But thanks to Nice ‘n’ Naughty and SG Schoolwear and Sportswear, Pines FC kicked off the New Year in brand-new kit.

Hull, England

Alterego Lingerie is introducing a new ‘gamechanging’ VIP service for its customers. Benefits will include priority notice of new designs and other advance information, along with exclusive perks and rewards, such as special promotions and personalised rewards.

VIP customers will also have access to a dedicated support team and two more preformatted datafiles – Big Commerce and Wix – in addition to the company’s existing Shopify and Woo Commerce options.

Newark, England

Creative Conceptions has introduced collectable character cards for its Unihorn mini vibes. Consumers should look out for the limited edition boxes which have a red heart sticker. And there’s more: customers who record a video/post a photo of their Unihorn(s) to TikTok/Instagram (using the hashtags #Unihornofficialcomp and #wherehasyourUnihornbeen) before 30th June 2024 will be in with a chance to win $1,000. The Creative Conceptions judging panel will go through all the entries and choose their favourite, with the winner being announced on 4th of July 2024 through its social media channels.

Berlin, Germany

Europe’s longest running adult event, most Venus attendees will have a ‘story’ to tell. It was drst staged in 1997 and every year around 30,000 visitors populate the exhibition halls – yes, it’s a consumer show, but it also has a B2B section, and around 2,000 trade representatives from over 30 countries can be found in a separate hall away from the models, stars, and consumers.

“Make new business contacts to further develop your company and make lucrative deals locally,” the show website says. “You get a glimpse into the future, because what you see in Berlin today is the future of the adult industry tomorrow.”

Venus takes place 24 – 27 October 2024 and more details can be found at www.venus-berlin.com

Barcelona, Spain

EroSpain arrived like a breath of fresh air in 2023: a European B2B event that takes place in the heart of Barcelona, in sunny spring rather than overcast autumn? Where do I sign? The inaugural event was a huge success and its second coming sold out of exhibitor space six months in advance – despite being twice the size of its predecessor.

One of the key benefits of attending any trade event, as exhibitor or visitor, is the opportunity to network and there will be a Welcome cocktail party on Saturday 4th May and the EroSpain Awards Gala will be held on Monday 6th May. EroSpain takes place 5 – 7 May 2024 and more details can be found at https://erospain.eu

Axel, Netherlands

Tonga has announced it has acquired CLS Healthcare, including brands Willie.nl, Willie Homeparty’s, and Condoomfabriek. The acquisition will allow Tonga to expand its own product range and also supply consumers for the first time.

Directors of Tonga, sisters Melanie and Stephanie de Jonge, are excited by this move. “We are extremely happy to be able to expand Tonga BV further with the help of CLS Healthcare’s brands and expertise,” Melanie said. “There has always been a strong bond and cooperation between the two companies from the very beginning of Willie.nl. This acquisition therefore marks another milestone in the history of Tonga BV and CLS Healthcare BV. Both companies share a common vision for the future, focused on improving the customer experience and growing the product portfolio.”

Warsaw, Poland

Erochain Expo promises over 20,000 participants, including 1,200 experts and 120 exhibitors from 30 different countries. In addition to a B2B area, the event will have workshops, presentations, panels, a show area, a retail shopping sector, and a fan zone granting exclusive access to OnlyFans and webcam stars. Visitors can also engage in the Sensual Metaverse, connect through a networking mobile app, and even go on live dates.

Erochain Expo takes place 7 – 8 June 2024 and more details can be found at https://erochainexpo.com

Flensburg, Germany

The latest edition of Orion Wholesale’s erotic lifestyle magalogue JustLove is now available for retailers to give to their customers. The 40-page A5-sized publication focuses on sexual wellness and sex positivity, with the aim of getting customers to return to the store to purchase the products within its pages. As such, it carries no Orion branding.

JustLove is available in packs of 25 – free of charge – in either English or German editions.

Hannover, Germany

EroFame is Europe’s biggest B2B convention for pleasure products and last year’s event saw a marked increase in visitor numbers over its predecessor: an impressive 4,001 visitors came from Europe, the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Africa, compared to 2022’s attendance of 3,049.

EroFame is all about quality of visitor rather than quantity though, with every major buyer of adult products expected to be walking the aisles at some point during the three days of the show. And not only is lunch provided every day, so too is a riotous Oktoberfest Party.

EroFame takes place 25 – 27 September 2024 and more details can be found at www.erofame.eu

Flensburg, Germany

Orion Wholesale’s Belou Rotating Vulva Massager has been awarded the German Design Award 2024. One of the most recognised international design awards for product and communication design, the awards are given out annually by the German Design Council and Belou won in the Excellent Product Design/Bath and Wellness category.

Chicago, USA

EXXXOTICA describes itself as the largest adult event in the USA dedicated to love and sex. Created for like-minded adults who are looking to explore their wild side, the event features personal appearances from adult movie stars, stage shows, retail exhibitors, seminars, The Dungeon Experience, and CouplesX Lifestyle Experience.

EXXOTICA takes place 12 -14 April 2024 and more details can be found at www.exxxoticaexpo.com

Pennsylvania, USA

Xgen Products is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, and it is inviting its customers, partners, and industry peers to join in the festivities by taking advantage of promotions and contests that will run throughout the year. On the 15th of each month, Xgen will offer a 24-hour flash sale.

It has won numerous industry awards over the last 15 years and CEO Andy Green believes its relationships have been key to its achievements: “At Xgen Products, our success is built on the foundation of strong relationships and a commitment to excellence,” he said. “Over the years, we have developed long-lasting partnerships and friendships with many of our customers, and it is their trust and support that have propelled us to where we are today.”

Burbank, USA

ANME is the big one as far as US and Canadian based manufacturers of pleasure products looking to showcase and sell their latest launches to distributors and retail buyers is concerned. So big, in fact, that it is staged twice a year at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel.

You can read about January’s show elsewhere in this issue, but its July incarnation has traditionally been the senior sibling, so maybe now would be a good time to book your flights and accommodation if you haven’t already done so.

ANME takes place 15 – 17 July 2024 and more details can be found at www.anmefounders.com

Texas, USA

Sliquid has introduced a new sales and marketing resource portal, Sliquid Insider, a password-protected, membership-based programme that is replacing the brand’s current Retailer Resources webpage.

Sliquid says this signals a move towards a more exclusive and tailored experience for registered retailers and distributors, as the portal allows access to the company’s training manual, information sheets, product images, product catalogues, and logos. It is also where retailers can request to add their business to the Sliquid store locator and online retailers’ pages. Registered members will also find wholesale pricing and order forms, training videos, and frequently updated social media assets.

Las Vegas, USA

The New International Lingerie Show showcases lingerie and adult novelty products and it styles itself as the show that cares about buyers and exhibitors.

“Come to Las Vegas see many of your industry friends and discover lingerie brands from classy to sassy and everything sexy,” its website says. The New International Lingerie Show takes place 9 – 10 September 2024 and more details can be found at www.ilsshow.com

Tokyo, Japan

Tenga was the subject of a recent ‘behind the brand’ feature on www.standard.co.uk, the online home of the London Evening Standard newspaper. The tabloid, which was founded in 1827, is published Monday to Friday and has a circulation of around 286,000.

The feature explained that while it has become normal for women to discuss sex toys, it is still a bit taboo for men. But in Japan, where Tenga originated, the opposite is true.

The article gave a potted history of the company and even addressed the firm’s single-use cups lack of sustainability – though it added that Tenga is looking to phase these out.

Shanghai, China

Organisers of API Expo say that almost 400 brands from around the world can be found at the event, showcasing adult toys, family planning, private care, and healthcare products. According to the show website, API Expo is “a professional platform of high quality” which is “very influential in the global pleasure products industry”. The size of the exhibition area is 26,720 sqms, and it can be found at the Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Centre of International Sourcing.

API Expo takes place 19 – 21 April 2024 and more details can be found at www.api-expo.com

Hong Kong, China

Now in its 14th year, Adult Expo Asia attracts thousands of buyers from around the world. In 2023, more than 300+ exhibitors and brands participated in AAE and more than 4,500 professional visitors came from 50 different countries and regions.

Already more than 90% of exhibition space has been sold, and the total number of exhibitors is expected to exceed the previous year’s. New for the trade in 2024 is an online exhibitor list, allowing buyers to see products in advance of the show.

Asia Adult Expo takes place 27 – 29 August 2024 and more details can be found at www.asiaadultexpo.com/en

Perth, Australia

Sexpo, Australia’s longest running adults only event, is returning to Perth for the first time in six years. Features retail exhibitors, stage shows, workshops, fashion runway, and even an amateur strip competition.

“Sexpo empowers you to explore your deepest desires and embrace your true self in a safe and inclusive environment,” according to the organisers.

Sexpo takes place 5 – 7 April 2024 and more details can be found at https://sexpo.com.au

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