LOS ANGELES — XBIZ is pleased to announce the nominees for the retail industry edition of the 2026 XBIZ Exec Awards, set to be presented as part of the annual XBIZ Honors ceremony, presented by SVAKOM and Kaotik Labs, on Sunday, Jan. 11, in conjunction with the pleasure products trade show XBIZ Expo.

The annual XBIZ Exec Awards honor the best of the best from the adult business community for their outstanding creativity and leadership, celebrating exceptional career achievement across a wide variety of prominent industry roles. Nominees are selected based on a range of success factors, including business acumen, community standing, and overall leadership.

This year, the program expands to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the human impact behind professional success. Five new categories will be awarded at the show without finalists or nominees:

• The Brave Voice Award recognizes individuals who have shown courage and conviction in speaking up to drive meaningful dialogue and positive change.
• The Pulse of the People Award honors individuals deeply in tune with the industry’s culture and values through genuine engagement that has driven connection and progress.
• The Trusted Confidant Award spotlights those whose experience, sound judgment, and steady support have empowered others and strengthened the community.
• The Heart of Gold Award celebrates individuals who exemplify kindness and compassion through meaningful acts that have uplifted and supported those around them.
• The Shining Spirit Award highlights those who radiate optimism and uplifting energy that have inspired everyone around them.

Voting for the 2026 XBIZ Exec Awards begins today on XBIZ.net and continues through Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Without further ado, the retail industry nominees for the 2026 XBIZ Exec Awards are:

Retail Buyer of the Year

• Ruth Arceo, Pleasure Chest
• Holly Berejikian, Couples Boutique
• Rachel Bertoglio, Fascinations
• Amy Carnegie, Barnaby
• Brenda Cox, CW Whitewater
• Sarah Franson, Adult Source
• Kim Giarrusso, Romeo & Juliet’s
• Kathryn Guy, SBJ/TAF
• Signe Jarvis, Hustler Hollywood
• Nichole Larkin, Sactacular
• Katelin Middleton, Priscilla McCall’s
• Cailyn Miller, Metro
• Jihan Phillips, Adam & Eve Franchise
• Melissa Van Horn, Cindie’s
• Zondre Watson, Ero-Tech

Distributor Account Exec of the Year

• Rey Carranza, Sensexx
• Jassmine Cudney, TW Trade
• Joanna Ebersbach, Janra Distribution
• Freja Frosch, Sexy Living
• Bruce Hubschmitt, Deluxe
• Glenn LeBoeuf, ECN
• Susanna Molina, Holiday Products
• Antonia Pappas, Eldorado Trading
• Laurence Poirier, AJPRO Distribution
• Nichole Pyne, Williams Trading
• Eddie Santiago, National Distribution
• Rodney Serket-Smith, SOS Distribution
• Kyle Tutino, Honey’s Place
• Sjoerd Wijmenga, EQOM
• Don Zerilli, Nalpac/Entrenue

Pleasure Product Account Exec of the Year

• Kimberley Barton, Lovehoney Group
• Gene Bebeshko, S Pleasure
• Isabel Brito, Mapale
• Jade Buchan, Viben
• Stephanie Cates-Koelsch, VUSH Stimulation
• Paolo Griffo, DanaMedic
• Scott Lipkin, Our Erotic Journey
• Kevin Martinez, Honey Play Box
• Nicole McCree, Classic Brands
• Andrew Ortega, Fleshlight
• Joseph Pascolla, Thank Me Now
• Cassie Pendleton, Wicked Sensual Care
• Emily Pulaski, Like a Kitten
• Joey Teodoro, Shots Canada
• Tracy Tinsley, NS Novelties

Business Development Exec of the Year

• Forrest Andrews, Aneros
• Joreail Armstrong, Honey Play Box
• Samantha Brown, Lovehoney Group
• Michael Cox, Tenga
• Kerin DeFrancis, Doc Johnson
• Kim Faubel, COTR
• Timothy Ferencz, JO
• Alexandro Feynerol, SVAKOM
• Mona Madrigal, Pipedream
• Cheryl Paradis, Candyland
• Abe Rojas, Condoms To Go/Sara’s Secret
• Eddie Romero, Magic Wand
• Toni-Ann Rossi, Metro
• Janet Tamborelli, Swiss Navy
• Caleb Thompson, Motorbunny

Marketing Exec of the Year

• Blake Bagdon, XGEN Products
• Janette Bilodeaux, Classic Brands
• Kathryn Byberg, Little Leaf Agency
• Blanca Estrada-Gonzalez, Like a Kitten
• Rohan Ganesh, pjur/Lovehoney Group
• Phoebe Grott, Nalpac
• Roger Houts, LC Distributors
• Nathan Morimitsu, Eldorado Trading Company
• Wellington Nascimiento, BoyzTown Collective
• Gideon Perez, Screaming O
• Rob Phaneuf, XR
• Lucy Robinson, Creative Conceptions
• Robert Stevenson, Aneros
• Krystal Silva, Doc Johnson
• Brittany Wilson, The Dungeon Store

Progressive Leadership Award

• Raj Armani, Besharam India
• David Ashley, Fleshlight
• Christopher Bowles, Creative Conceptions
• Chad Braverman, Doc Johnson
• Glen Buzzetti, Romantic Depot
• Dan Freedman, Pink Cherry
• Celeste Gnecchi Calder, Erotique Pink
• Ken Herskovitz, Vibratex
• Audrey Hooper, Starship
• Peter Muffoletto, LELO
• Autumn O’Bryan, Global Novelties
• Sven Pelka, Satisfyer
• Hein Schouten, Shots Europe
• Rebecca Weinberg, XR
• Trisha Welch, Perfect Fit Brand

Community Figure of the Year

• Hamed Bossett-Allen, SOS Distribution
• Jessica Drake, Wicked Sensual Care
• Sara Gaffoor, Nasstoys
• Loretta Goodling, Honey’s Place
• April Hoopes, Allure Lingerie
• April Lampert, Shameless Sex
• Kate McGregor, Adam & Eve Franchise
• Efren Mendez Garcia, Lovestore Mexico
• Josh Ortiz, XR
• Paul Reutershan, P3 (Pleasure Professionals Place)
• Kit Richardson, Museum of Sex
• Molly Romeo, Holiday Products
• Tori Titus-McRobie, Paradise/Tuesday with Tori
• Scott Watkins, Doc Johnson
• Cathy Ziegler, Kheper Games

Brand Ambassador of the Year

• Brendi Acevedo, JO
• Chris Armstrong, Holiday Products
• Pettus Ashley, Bathmate
• Conde Aumann, Nu Sensuelle
• Mariana Cabanas, CalExotics
• Staci Cruse, Blush
• Cheri Curry, Tantus
• Kimberly Hinds, Oxballs
• Frank Kok, Mystim
• Kate Kozlova, Kiiro
• Ian Kulp, Je Joue
• Tom Hassid, Oh La La Cheri
• Sarah Konkel, Roma
• Tracy Leone, Bedroom Products
• Lucy Vonne, Evolved Novelties

Road Warrior of the Year

• Luzoralia Acosta, NS Novelties
• Brent Aldon, Aneros
• JB Brown (Jason Brown), JO
• Kim Card, Lovehoney Group
• Kristen Denton, Doc Johnson
• Sonny Farnsworth, Lovely Planet
• Nathan Hammerle, ECN
• Michelle Liss, Maxtasy
• Annie Meza, CalExotics
• Rin Musick, Sportsheets
• Elizabeth Porter-Smith, XR
• Steve Sav, Evolved Novelties
• Kathi Sherman, Blush
• Nicole Talley, Wicked Sensual Care
• Kevin Young, Our Erotic Journey

Executive Leadership Award – Pleasure Products

• Fanny Chen, Svakom
• Ivan Contreras, Satisfyer
• Leigh Dedhar, Doxy 2.0
• Austin Ferdinand, CalExotics
• Shae Annis Johnson, Like a Kitten
• Brian Pellham, Kheper Games
• Ryan Fraga Pena, Oxballs
• Andrea Rey, Biird
• Colin Roy, Sliquid
• Mike Savage, Full Circle/Miami Distro
• Elliot Schwartz, Nasstoys
• Kong Son, JO
• Julie Stewart, Sportsheets
• Michael Sullivan, Bad Dragon Enterprises
• Andre Visser, O Products

Executive Leadership Award – Retail

• Ryan Carlson, Janra Distribution
• Reynaldo Cedeno, Noveltoys Import
• Andrew Craig, Nalpac/Entrenue
• Bonnie Feingold, Honey’s Place
• Rolando Gamez, BES
• Preston Garland, Eldorado Trading Company
• Frank Koretsky, ECN
• Kraig McGee III, SBJ/TAF
• Vinay Morker, Hush Canada
• Josh Porter, Romantix
• Richard Pyne, Williams Trading
• Sean Quinn, All Point Retail
• Ken Sahn, Holiday Products
• Ivan Walsh, Sexy Living
• Ross Winner, WB Group

Team Manager of the Year

• Massimo Artioli, Orgie
• Allison Brazier, LSMT
• Kristian Broms, Pipedream
• Miguel Capilla, Fleshlight
• Kristi Colon, Hustler/Lovers
• Dan Holman, Momentum Management
• Lupe Martinez, CalExotics
• John Marinello, pjur
• Anne Meunier, Lovely Planet
• Vincent Renou, Honey Play Box
• Kelly Sofferman, Sportsheets
• Simon Smith, Kiiroo
• Bradley Taylor, Creative Conceptions
• Malay Vannouvong, Aneros
• Erik Vasquez, Sliquid

Businessperson of the Year

• Natalie Annis, Like a Kitten
• Susan Colvin, CalExotics
• Steve Craig, Nalpac/ Entrenue
• Samantha DeMartini, Kixies
• Dennis DeSantis, Cousins Group
• Cynthia Elliott, Sliquid
• Wanda Garland, Eldorado Trading Company
• Alexander Giebel, pjur
• Andy Green, XGEN Products
• Thao Luu-Brinberg, Nu Sensuelle
• Steve Orenstein, Wicked Sensual Care
• Alicia Sinclair, COTR
• Ari Suss, XR
• Andrew Sung, Aneros
• Chris Von Huben, Paradise Marketing

WIA Woman of the Year

• Dee Bertino, Fantasy Gifts NJ
• Monique Carty, Nexus
• Melody Cazarin, Satisfyer
• Carolyn Eagle, Betty’s Toy Box
• Liz Flynt, Hustler Hollywood
• Kelsey Harris, Nalpac
• Tiffany Lysene, Little Genie Productions
• Michelle Marcus, Sliquid
• Kara McGee, SBJ/TAF
• Verna Meng, Blush
• Kim Patterson, Enchantasys
• Cee Cee Peters, Perfect Fit Brand
• Farah Shaikh, Rouge
• Lynn Swanson, Classic Brands
• Megan Swartz, Janra Distribution

BERLIN — German pleasure brand GutDolls has announced the launch of its global Brand Ambassador Program (GutDolls Botschafter Programm).

Applications are open to content creators, bloggers, social media influencers, and adult industry professionals. According to a rep, the program “aims to foster a more open, free, and diverse sexual companion culture ecosystem through open collaboration and content co-creation.”

“If you’re skilled at blogging, filming, and creating images, and want to showcase your influence and collaborate with a leading global adult companion brand, then we welcome you to join us,” the rep added. “GutDolls emphasizes that participation is not limited to major influencers; any creator with originality, passion for creation, and a desire to express and share erotic culture is eligible.”

For more information, visit GutDolls.

BERLIN — German pleasure brand GutDolls has announced the launch of its global Brand Ambassador Program (GutDolls Botschafter Programm).

Applications are open to content creators, bloggers, social media influencers, and adult industry professionals. According to a rep, the program “aims to foster a more open, free, and diverse sexual companion culture ecosystem through open collaboration and content co-creation.”

“If you’re skilled at blogging, filming, and creating images, and want to showcase your influence and collaborate with a leading global adult companion brand, then we welcome you to join us,” the rep added. “GutDolls emphasizes that participation is not limited to major influencers; any creator with originality, passion for creation, and a desire to express and share erotic culture is eligible.”

For more information, visit GutDolls.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — AEBN has published a report on POV and gonzo categories from its straight and gay theaters.

“What’s better than taking a ride in your dream car — driving it, of course,” said a rep. “POV content does exactly that, putting the viewer in the shoes of their favorite talented performer and letting them live out the scenario on screen. Of course, if POV is sitting in the driver’s seat, gonzo content is getting strapped to the hood and speeding through traffic.”

The questions explored in the report include “How popular is this content?”; “What differentiates POV from gonzo content, and how do they compare?”; and “Where is this category headed in the future?”

“AEBN straps in and hits the gas for this journey with insight, data, and an eye for discovery,” the rep added.

To read the full report, visit AEBNTrends.com.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — AEBN has published a report on POV and gonzo categories from its straight and gay theaters.

“What’s better than taking a ride in your dream car — driving it, of course,” said a rep. “POV content does exactly that, putting the viewer in the shoes of their favorite talented performer and letting them live out the scenario on screen. Of course, if POV is sitting in the driver’s seat, gonzo content is getting strapped to the hood and speeding through traffic.”

The questions explored in the report include “How popular is this content?”; “What differentiates POV from gonzo content, and how do they compare?”; and “Where is this category headed in the future?”

“AEBN straps in and hits the gas for this journey with insight, data, and an eye for discovery,” the rep added.

To read the full report, visit AEBNTrends.com.

LONDON — Joybear Pictures has announced that its new studio imprint, I Really Love, will launch in January.

“From the home of Joybear Pictures comes a new studio on a mission to boost viewers’ sex lives by showing performers deep dive into theirs,” said a rep. “I Really Love turns the tables on traditional adult entertainment by focusing entirely on sex that people are actually into, as well as why and with whom.”

The brand’s target audience is singles and couples in their 20s and 30s. Episodes will be available for licensing in hard, soft, and series formats.

Joybear founder and CEO Justin Santos said, “I’d love to know how many relationships could be rescued or upgraded if we all talked more openly about sex.”

For more information, visit Joybear.com.

LONDON — Joybear Pictures has announced that its new studio imprint, I Really Love, will launch in January.

“From the home of Joybear Pictures comes a new studio on a mission to boost viewers’ sex lives by showing performers deep dive into theirs,” said a rep. “I Really Love turns the tables on traditional adult entertainment by focusing entirely on sex that people are actually into, as well as why and with whom.”

The brand’s target audience is singles and couples in their 20s and 30s. Episodes will be available for licensing in hard, soft, and series formats.

Joybear founder and CEO Justin Santos said, “I’d love to know how many relationships could be rescued or upgraded if we all talked more openly about sex.”

For more information, visit Joybear.com.

LOS ANGELES — A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist longtime adult industry lighting director James “NoNo” Nono and his wife, Stephanie Ross.

Nono, a respected grip, gaffer, and lighting director with more than three decades in the business, has worked with many of the industry’s top studios and directors. According to the campaign page, years of physically demanding work have left Nono with severe hip and knee problems that now prevent him from working on set. Ross, who formerly served as head of production for VCA, recently suffered a stroke and is also unable to work.

Industry colleague Christophe Pettus organized the fundraiser to help the couple cover rent, utilities, and other expenses.

“James Nono is a legend. He has worked as a grip and lighting director for decades,” Pettus wrote on the campaign page. “You’ve seen his work in movies, even if you did not realize it. He is also universally considered one of the nicest men to have ever worked in the industry.”

Performer and director Brad Armstrong urged the community to rally around Nono and his wife.

“Nono is an unsung hero who’s spent most of his career in the shadows, making sets look great and starlets look beautiful,” Armstrong told XBIZ. “He has been a friend and champion of our industry for years. Now it’s time for us to give back.”

For more information and to donate, visit the campaign’s GoFundMe page.