What CalExotics' Amsterdam Show Revealed About 2026 Trends

Emily Davis · 2026-10-13

If you follow the adult retail world, you already know trade shows are where the real conversations happen. Not the polished press releases, but the hallway chats, the booth walkthroughs, and the late-night cocktails where buyers finally say what's actually selling. That's exactly what went down when CalExotics wrapped up eroFame 2026 in Amsterdam this October. So what did the Ontario, California-based brand actually take away from the show? More than a few handshakes, it turns out. ### A Cocktail Party That Set the Tone CalExotics didn't ease into eroFame. The brand teamed up with Scala, its exclusive European distributor, to co-host a cocktail party right at the start. The goal was simple: get partners back in the same room, reconnect old relationships, and spark new ones before the show floor even opened. It worked. According to the company, that early-evening energy carried through the entire event. And honestly, that tracks. When people feel comfortable, they talk more openly about what's working and what isn't. ### Inside the Scala Booth Scala set up a dedicated CalExotics booth where retailers and distributors got hands-on time with the newest releases. Visitors also explored the brand's bestselling collections, including: - CalExotics Connect - California Dreaming - Boundless The idea was practical. Buyers walked in, touched the products, asked questions, and left knowing exactly what to refresh on their shelves and where to expand their assortments. For a retailer, that's worth more than any catalog PDF. ### What the Leadership Team Took Away Susan Colvin, CalExotics' Founder and CEO, didn't mince words about the value of being there in person. > "From our cocktail party with Scala to our customer meetings throughout the show, the energy in Amsterdam was fantastic. Hearing directly from our partners about what's selling and what their customers want is invaluable. We're excited to build on those conversations and grateful to everyone who made the show a success." That line about hearing directly from partners is the part worth sitting with. Trade shows aren't really about the booths. They're about the feedback loop. A distributor telling you, face to face, that a certain collection is flying off shelves or that customers keep asking for something you don't make yet. That's the kind of intel you can't get from a survey. ### Why This Matters for the Broader Market eroFame has long been a barometer for where the European adult market is heading, and by extension, what might show up in U.S. retail channels a few months later. When a major player like CalExotics uses the show to test reactions and gather partner input, those conversations often shape product decisions for the year ahead. For retailers in the United States watching the space, the takeaway is straightforward. The brands investing in face-to-face relationships with their distribution partners are the ones likely to ship products that actually match demand. It's less about flashy launches and more about listening. ### The Bottom Line CalExotics left Amsterdam with stronger partner ties, fresh market insights, and a clearer picture of what its customers want next. That's a pretty solid return for a few days in the Netherlands. Want to see what the brand is currently offering? You can explore its full lineup and collections directly through its official site.