Sex Toy Manufacturers, Retailers Honored at AVN Awards

LAS VEGAS—While much of the focus of the AVN Awards every year is on the performers and the movies themselves, the makers and sellers of pleasure products are also honored during the big night. (photo galleries) Categories cover everything from Best Fetish Manufacturer to Best Lubricant Manufacturer and represent some of the biggest and best names in the pleasure products industry. And just as performers, directors and studio owners love the feeling of winning a coveted AVN Award, those in the sex toy side are just as excited about the honor. “As a small, unabashedly feminist shop, I was a little surprised to be nominated, but winning was a shock for sure!” said Searah Deysach, president of Early To Bed in Chicago, which took home the AVN Award for Best Boutique. “While we have been recognized locally a bunch of times, a national mainstream win like AVN is just an amazing feeling! “I started my shop in 2001 and when I went to my first AVN show a couple of years later, a lot of people looked at me with completely blank faces when I explained that we were a feminist, sexual health- and education-focused sex shop,” Deysach continued. “I really felt like a fish out of water even at a trade show for my industry. To now receive recognition from such an influential organization is very gratifying… and exciting! “As to what sets us apart, I would like to think it is our shop's dedication to providing a level of customer service that is beyond what most people expect from a sex shop,” Deysach added. “My awesome staff (90 percent who have been with me for more than five years) is really amazing at helping folks find the toys and accessories that they need while also providing a safe and welcoming space to everyone who walks through our door.” Also winning in the retail category this year was Good Vibrations, an adult retailer known for more than 30 years for high-quality products, education and information that promotes sexual health, pleasure and empowerment. Good Vibrations was named Best Retail Chain-Small at the ceremony, which took place Saturday, Jan. 23, in The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas. “We are grateful for the recognition and are very proud of the award,” said Jackie Strano, executive vice president of Good Vibrations. “Thank you AVN!" Manufacturers of pleasure products were also recognized with AVN Awards. Best Pleasure Product Manufacturer–Large this year was Doc Johnson, which earned an AVN Award in 2011 for Best Packaging. “We are honored to receive the AVN Award for Best Large Pleasure Product Manufacturer,” said Chad Braverman, Doc Johnson’s COO/CCO. “We are proud to have Doc Johnson’s 40-year commitment to providing the best new products and brands recognized.” “Receiving this prestigious award is a testimony to the continued growth of the Doc Johnson brand,” said Scott Watkins, vice president of sales and marketing for Doc Johnson. “Our entire team is thankful to everyone at AVN for making this possible.” Winners of the Pleasure Products and Retail & Distribution categories are as follows:  PLEASURE PRODUCTS Best Condom ManufacturerKimono Best Enhancement ManufacturerClassic Erotica Best Fetish ManufacturerSpartacus Leathers Best Lingerie or Apparel ManufacturerSyren Latex Best Lubricant ManufacturerWet International Best Pleasure Product Manufacturer–SmallAdvanced Response Best Pleasure Product Manufacturer–MediumLELO Best Pleasure Product Manufacturer–LargeDoc Johnson  RETAIL & DISTRIBUTIONBest BoutiqueEarly to Bed (Chicago) Best Retail Chain–SmallGood Vibrations  Best Retail Chain–LargeRomantix Best Web Retail StoreAdultEmpire.com