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For years he would wake up, get out of bed, and head off to work where he was responsible for marketing some...
RedHotPie Editor | October 07 2010
RHP interviews Sexpo GM, Rob Godwin
For years he would wake up, get out of bed, and head off to work where he was responsible for marketing some of the hottest porn stars in the world… not a bad gig!
As head of adult film distributor Calvista, marketing guru, Rod Godwin travelled in some pretty exciting circles and rubbed shoulders and possibly other body parts with some of the planets sexiest super stars, so when the juggernaut lifestyle brand, Sexpo was in need of a new GM, it made sense that Godwin got the call.
A few years on and along with his tireless staff, Godwin has taken the Sexpo brand to new heights and new places. We sat down for a quick chin wag with the General Manager of Sexpo a week of from their Sydney show.
So Rob, long have you been at the helm of Sexpo?
I’ve been here 2 ½ years as the general manager and 6 years as a supplier, exhibitor and provider of some top quality porn stars before that; and of course longer as a customer.
Yeah you seem to have a lot of happy customers, Sexpo has a lot of return visitors each year, how do you keep it fresh?
I think giving value for money and bringing new attractions to the show is the key. We try to bring something new each year and to each show. We set the benchmark very high as we are the leading adult lifestyle show in the world – and we’re very proud of this achievement. Last year we introduced The Crusty Demons bike show which was massive, VIP Tickets and the huge laporium for pole dancing and lap dancing.
And how about this year, what are the hot new attractions?
New hot men! We’ve got two brand new male revues from Top Shelf Entertainment and Hunkmania including the Full Monty! New MC Brooke Evers from Zoo Magazine, 3D adult films, but the highlight is the Sexpo Sex Seminars sponsored by RedHotPie.com.au. This is a brand new arena to discuss topics with our Sexpo Sexpert, get some great tips and treats, and get the best out of online dating with RedHotPie.com.au. Plus international adult stars, Sexpo Showgirls, Pricasso and so much more
Things get pretty wild at Sexpo, what’s the funniest thing you’ve seen at a show?
Two things actually – a well known retail manager of the country’s biggest adult store chains got a bit tipsy and entered amateur strip comp… and won! Never thought I would see him strip down to his elephant pouch! The second thing was embarrassing my mother in law as she walked past my vibrator stand; I included her in the selling spiel. “Even your mother in law would love this, and there she is!” that was in front of 50 people!
And on the business side of things, the Sexpo brand is in South Africa now, how’s that going?
Sexpo has been operating in South Africa for 4 years and its growth is fantastic. I just got back from the Johannesburg show which had over 50000 people in attendance. There’s four shows planned for next year and there’s a massive response from the press. The key element to the growth is awaking the passion of a nation. As the country grows and tensions relax, people want to enjoy themselves and learn more and what better way to do this than in the bedroom.
Any plans to push Sexpo into new countries?
You bet! Germany is planned for next year, and USA for end of 2011/early 2011. We’ve also got some interest from Israel and Turkey.
And they say sex and food are recession proof, how was attendance in Australia during the global financial crisis?
Yeah that’s 100% correct. During the GFC we had great shows with a record attendance in Perth, our biggest show in Brisbane in 8 years and double digit growth in Melbourne and Sydney.
So finally Rob, why should people come out to Sydney Sexpo next week?
Fun, fun, fun! Sexpo is about a having a great time, meeting some friends, seeing some great entertainment, getting value for money especially in the VIP tickets, and doing some great shopping. At Sexpo we have the biggest adult shopping in the southern hemisphere so the fun never stops!
Sydney Sexpo is happening at the Horden Pavilion in Moore Park from Thursday, October the 14th through to the 17th. For all the show and ticketing details visit their website at: www.sexpo.com.au
As head of adult film distributor Calvista, marketing guru, Rod Godwin travelled in some pretty exciting circles and rubbed shoulders and possibly other body parts with some of the planets sexiest super stars, so when the juggernaut lifestyle brand, Sexpo was in need of a new GM, it made sense that Godwin got the call.
A few years on and along with his tireless staff, Godwin has taken the Sexpo brand to new heights and new places. We sat down for a quick chin wag with the General Manager of Sexpo a week of from their Sydney show.
So Rob, long have you been at the helm of Sexpo?
I’ve been here 2 ½ years as the general manager and 6 years as a supplier, exhibitor and provider of some top quality porn stars before that; and of course longer as a customer.
Yeah you seem to have a lot of happy customers, Sexpo has a lot of return visitors each year, how do you keep it fresh?
I think giving value for money and bringing new attractions to the show is the key. We try to bring something new each year and to each show. We set the benchmark very high as we are the leading adult lifestyle show in the world – and we’re very proud of this achievement. Last year we introduced The Crusty Demons bike show which was massive, VIP Tickets and the huge laporium for pole dancing and lap dancing.
And how about this year, what are the hot new attractions?
New hot men! We’ve got two brand new male revues from Top Shelf Entertainment and Hunkmania including the Full Monty! New MC Brooke Evers from Zoo Magazine, 3D adult films, but the highlight is the Sexpo Sex Seminars sponsored by RedHotPie.com.au. This is a brand new arena to discuss topics with our Sexpo Sexpert, get some great tips and treats, and get the best out of online dating with RedHotPie.com.au. Plus international adult stars, Sexpo Showgirls, Pricasso and so much more
Things get pretty wild at Sexpo, what’s the funniest thing you’ve seen at a show?
Two things actually – a well known retail manager of the country’s biggest adult store chains got a bit tipsy and entered amateur strip comp… and won! Never thought I would see him strip down to his elephant pouch! The second thing was embarrassing my mother in law as she walked past my vibrator stand; I included her in the selling spiel. “Even your mother in law would love this, and there she is!” that was in front of 50 people!
And on the business side of things, the Sexpo brand is in South Africa now, how’s that going?
Sexpo has been operating in South Africa for 4 years and its growth is fantastic. I just got back from the Johannesburg show which had over 50000 people in attendance. There’s four shows planned for next year and there’s a massive response from the press. The key element to the growth is awaking the passion of a nation. As the country grows and tensions relax, people want to enjoy themselves and learn more and what better way to do this than in the bedroom.
Any plans to push Sexpo into new countries?
You bet! Germany is planned for next year, and USA for end of 2011/early 2011. We’ve also got some interest from Israel and Turkey.
And they say sex and food are recession proof, how was attendance in Australia during the global financial crisis?
Yeah that’s 100% correct. During the GFC we had great shows with a record attendance in Perth, our biggest show in Brisbane in 8 years and double digit growth in Melbourne and Sydney.
So finally Rob, why should people come out to Sydney Sexpo next week?
Fun, fun, fun! Sexpo is about a having a great time, meeting some friends, seeing some great entertainment, getting value for money especially in the VIP tickets, and doing some great shopping. At Sexpo we have the biggest adult shopping in the southern hemisphere so the fun never stops!
Sydney Sexpo is happening at the Horden Pavilion in Moore Park from Thursday, October the 14th through to the 17th. For all the show and ticketing details visit their website at: www.sexpo.com.au
