Topco Sales Spurs Excitement at the 2007 ANE Show

By Amy Balfour

At a show marked by well-lit modern booths with clean lines and minimalist décor, Topco Sales showed its rebellious side. The company went wild with a Wild West themed booth, complete with antler chandeliers, swinging saloon doors, a poker table, and western themed product posters. The Topco Sales Saloon also featured a working bar where customers could cool their convention-rug-burnt heels with a refreshing cocktail.

"I heard people complaining about the show being slow, but I couldn’t understand what they were talking about because our booth was packed morning till night," commented Topco Sales sales rep Tera Grengs. "They loved the decorations, the posters, the bar, and they loved the peanuts! Everyone kept asking what the theme for next year would be. I’ve already given my vote."

The ANE took place at the Universal Hilton and the Universal Sheraton, July 16th-18th. Topco Sales used the show as an opportunity to premier its July 2007 release which included: a new bachelorette line, Noveltease™, more climax® products, a new gay line, Rascal Toys™, affordable tongue-in-cheek blow up dolls called, Cheap Sex™, and much more.

"Our customers loved the new climax® products. They think that line is just beautiful. We also had a lot of excitement about our new prostate items the Men’s Prostate Pleaser and the Waterproof Prostate Pro 5. I think distributers are happy to see us go there," added Grengs.

The founders also collaborated to throw a cocktail party on the evening of the 17th, where manufacturers and their customers could mingle and relax with delicious food, free cocktails, and great music. "It was great to have a chance to relax and celebrate everything we’ve all accomplished this year," said Topco Sales General Sales Manager Terry McGowan.

On the morning of the 18th, Topco Sales Technical Director, Drugs and Cosmetics Timothy K. Crawford participated in an ANE panel discussion entitled "Everything You Need to Know about Sex Toy Materials but Were Afraid to Ask." Also on panel for the discussion were Ian Denchasy and Mike Harrison. The enlightening panel covered issues including phthalates, glycerin, silicone, and parabens.

To see video excerpts of the panel, go to:
http://www.topcosales.us/videos.asp?VID=39

A Friendly Face...

It was great to see Tracy Khauv at the show this year! A year since her injury, Tracy got to reconnect with old clients and colleagues while at ANE. Check in on latest news about Tracy at www.tracykhauv.com.

Sex Toy Material Q & A with Technical Director, Drugs and Cosmetics Timothy K. Crawford

By Amy Balfour

Were you surprised by any of the questions you were asked at the panel?
Not at all. I expected most of those issues to come up because while the internet is a wonderful thing, it is even better at spreading misinformation.

Is there any misinformation out there that you would like to correct or are there concerns that you think have been blown way out of proportion?
All of them have been blown out of proportion. For instance, with phthalates, a person has to consume mass quantities, in some cases times their body weight, to experience a toxic effect. So, the amount that is used in toys really isn’t going have any effect. People are exposed to many more toxic materials in their everyday lives.

Why do you think people are so worried about phthalates?
A few people really like to stir up issues. Some took the opportunity to promote alternative products. Others say all chemicals are bad; it’s a very difficult hill to climb. In fact, in some cases, it’s easier to give in than try to educate. But once you give in, what are you going to have to give in to next?

Is there any truth to concerns about Glycerin in lube?
Glycerin itself can not cause a yeast infection or any other kind of infection. It is commonly used in pharmaceuticals – in anti-fungal medications as a matter of fact. Some people say that if you already have an infection, it may feed off of it a little bit. While that is theoretically possible, there’s no actual evidence of it ever happening. So I feel that concern is way out of proportion.

There were a lot of questions asked at the panel about product smells. Is that a valid way to determine if a sex toy is safe?
Not really. It would be possible to have a malodor if there was an error in a manufacturing process. At some of the overseas manufacturing plants, while the plants are clean, they may use an industrial grade chemical which can sometimes cause an odor. Even if there is a smell, it does not necessarily mean a health risk.

What can consumers, retailers, and distributers do to ensure they are getting safe products?
Stick to reputable dealers. I believe everybody deserves the opportunity to have sex toys, and that’s why the inexpensive toys sell so well, but they shouldn’t have to accept a substandard product. A good store and reputable dealer should replace a toy if you bring it back.

What is the best place to tell consumers to look for information about sex toy materials
You can do research on the internet, but I recommend that you go to .edu websites to avoid bias. Go to the university sites. Or go to www.topcosales.us where we will have a link to a FAQ section with answers to the most common questions about specific sex toy materials.

Should consumers just wear condoms on sex toys to not have to worry about these issues?
For those people who have concerns about the chemical make-up of their toys, or who have concerns about cleaning the toys, by all means I recommend using a condom. It will keep your toys cleaner, and it will expand their lifespan.

Are there any materials that should NEVER be put inside the human body?
Yes, and those have already been banned by Europe, the United States, and Japan, so I don’t feel anyone really has to worry about the make-up of sex toys.