The Adult Novelty Manufacturers Expo (ANME), also known as “The Founders Show,” has concluded its 30-year presence in the pleasure products industry. The announcement was made on Thursday, August 27, 2026, marking the end of an event that served distributors, retailers, and other industry professionals.

The final ANME show took place last month in Burbank, California. For three decades, ANME provided a platform for manufacturers, primarily based in the U.S., to showcase their latest offerings. The show was often held twice a year.

A Legacy of Connection and Growth

ANME was established in 1996 by original founders including Susan Colvin of CalExotics, Elliot Schwartz of Nasstoys, and Ron and Chad Braverman of Doc Johnson. Pipedream Products and Topco were also among the Founders for many decades. The event aimed to create a professional, trusted space for the adult novelty and sexual wellness industry to connect and grow, with a mission to elevate business, strengthen relationships, and advance the industry forward.

A farewell statement posted on the show's official Instagram account acknowledged ANME as a place where the industry converged not just for commerce, but to build relationships, exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and forge friendships. The statement noted that the industry grew, changed, and reached audiences that were unimaginable when the show began, welcoming new companies and generations. It highlighted businesses built, partnerships formed, ideas becoming products, and colleagues becoming lifelong friends.

The statement expressed gratitude to customers who traveled annually, vendors and exhibitors who trusted ANME to showcase their companies and launch products, and families, friends, staff, and all who worked behind the scenes. It concluded by thanking the industry at large for allowing ANME to be part of its story.

The Final Show: 30th Anniversary Events

The ANME Founders Show 2026, held from July 12–15 in Burbank, California, celebrated its 30th anniversary. This event was described as a premier B2B adult trade show in Los Angeles, bringing together manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and industry professionals for networking, education, and wholesale business opportunities. The show schedule included exhibitor and attendee badge pickup on Sunday, July 12th, followed by a Welcome Reception. Monday, July 13th, featured the ANME Show Floor opening, lunch, and a reception. The show floor was also open on Tuesday, July 14th.

AVN sponsored two exclusive educational seminars during the 30th anniversary show. Susan Colvin, an AVN Hall of Famer and Contributing Editor for Pleasure Products, moderated these seminars. The topics addressed included retail education, artificial intelligence, age verification regulations, and banking challenges impacting the industry.

The first seminar, "Increase Your Retail Knowledge for Brick-and-Mortal Stores," took place on Monday morning before the show opened. Zondre Watson of Erotech discussed an AI platform for retail stores and its use in improving operations and customer engagement. Javay Frye-Nekrasova, known as The Millennial Sexpert, and Kim Airs discussed product knowledge in three key areas: G-spot products, anal products, and BDSM.

Tuesday’s seminar, "Age Verification and the Novelty Industry Legal Panel," examined the impact of age verification requirements on online retailers, as well as banking access and payment processing challenges for adult businesses. Panelists included attorney Jeffrey Douglas, Free Speech Coalition Membership Director Meghan Lyon, GOAT Payments Senior Account Executive Lucy Luna Trim, and retailer David Eliason of Dick and Jane’s Naughty Spots. David Eliason participated in both seminars.

ANME's Impact and Reach

For 30 years, ANME established itself as a leading business-to-business tradeshow for the adult novelty sector, showcasing intimate toys, lingerie, lubricants, and novelties. It served as a cornerstone event, offering a platform for manufacturers to present products to a select audience of distributor and retailer buyers. The expo was a hub for industry professionals to discover emerging trends, establish business relationships, and contribute to advancing the adult business sector.

Annual statistics for ANME included over 2,000 attendees, more than 200 vendor booths, representation from over 10 countries, and business transactions exceeding $10 million. The "Founders" of the industry, instrumental in shaping the adult toy market in the United States, initiated the show to provide a dedicated space for manufacturers to exhibit innovations to retailers across the country.

Key Facts

  • The Adult Novelty Manufacturers Expo (ANME) ended its 30-year run on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
  • The final show was held last month in Burbank, California, from July 12–15, 2026.
  • Original founders in 1996 included Susan Colvin of CalExotics, Elliot Schwartz of Nasstoys, and Ron and Chad Braverman of Doc Johnson.
  • AVN sponsored educational seminars at the final show, covering topics like AI in retail, product knowledge, age verification, and banking challenges.
  • Annual statistics for ANME included over 2,000 attendees, more than 200 vendor booths, and over $10 million in business transactions.
  • ANME was known as “The Founders Show” and was open to distributors, retailers, and others in the pleasure products industry.