After an application was made to the Supreme Court of Victoria on 02/08/2024 to wind up Australian Exhibition Group Pty. Ltd. (AEG), the operator of Sexpo Australia, the matter was heard on 23/8/24. Sexpo Australia advised interested parties late on 23/9/24 that it was indefinitely postponing all planned events, including the Adelaide event that was scheduled for October 4 to 6, just 11 days from that notification, and unpublished www.sexpo.com.au shortly afterwards.
Sexpo Australia’s X (Twitter) page remain active; however, the Instagram account appears to have been deactivated.
On October 15th, 2024, Sexpo Australia informed exhibitors “the company has begun the process of entering into administration as the deadlock and legal fees make it impossible for the business to continue operating”.
David Ross, often referred to as Mr. Sexpo, conceived and launched Sexpo – health, sexuality, and lifestyle expo in Australia, in 1996, before exporting the event to South Africa in 2007, and then London in 2015.
David says, “After the 2019 sale of Sexpo Australia to Australian Exhibition Group Pty. Ltd., I no longer have any interest in the local event, but still, it’s a crying shame to see what’s happened to my baby. Obviously, this means David has had no hand in the recent failure of Sexpo Australia.
“I have received numerous phone calls from disgruntled exhibitors, telling me that Sexpo Australia (AEG), was still sending out invoices and reminders, and accepting payments until, at least, midday on 23/9/24, just hours before the postponement notice was sent.
“In fact, several affected exhibitors have asked if I have any intentions to launch a new event, stating they would be happy to be involved”, he said.
David is now considering producing a new event to fill the gap left in the market by Sexpo Australia’s demise, focusing on the core production values that were so very successful when he started the event in 1996.
David continues, “Exhibitors and public are equally disgruntled due to the last-minute nature of the cancellation, and the lack of communication from Sexpo Australia’s management, leaving them out of pocket for all the expenses associated with travelling to, and exhibiting at a major event.
“The brand may now be too damaged to consider buying the trademark, but the name of the event is less important than giving the public what they want from an adult exhibition, so, I’m also considering launching under a new name.
“I have a very good reputation amongst Sexpo exhibitors and so the fact that the local brand is now tarnished, it maybe that the Australian trademark is worth nothing, except, possibly, to myself.
“I have some advice for anyone thinking of starting an exhibition, that is one can’t just book (and pay in advance for) an exhibition space and open the doors and expect exhibitors and visitors to flock in. Of course, the truth is very different. There are several months of planning, and several hundred thousand dollars that go into each show. That’s why we’re seeking potential partners before we get too excited. Interested parties can contact David at david@mister-sexpo.com.
“At this stage, we are only seeking expressions of interest, as we will only move forward if we receive enough interest, and are fully funded, so we never experience the same issues that AEG is now experiencing.
“We expect current and former exhibitors to be particularly interested as we will be offering partners substantial discounts on exhibition stand/booth costs”, he said.
For further information, contact:
David Ross
EMAIL: david@mister-sexpo.com
PHONE: +61 (0) 419 266 981
Mr. Sexpo Writes Tell-all Autobiography About A Life Spent Inside the Adult Entertainment Industry Bubble
David Ross, often referred to as Mr. Sexpo, conceived and launched the adult entertainment exhibition, Sexpo – health, sexuality and lifestyle expo in Australia, in 1996, before expanding to South Africa in 2007.
A Life Inside the Adult Industry Bubble
ALL WILL BE REVEALED
After the sale of Sexpo and with no ongoing involvement with the event, David says now is the right time to tell his life story, a salacious tale of what really goes on behind the facade of the adult entertainment industry
With the exhibition industry on hold at the moment, David has decided to use his newfound spare time to write his tell-all autobiography.
Everything you would expect from an insider’s expose of the adult entertainment industry, and then some
David, an Adult Industry Hall of Fame inductee, draws on his 38-year adult entertainment industry background, including stints at Ladies for Gentlemen, Top of the Town, Daily Planet, Simply Irresistible, Club X, and as president of the Adult Entertainment Industry Association, plus much more, to detail not only his time as Mr. Sexpo, but also the many years beforehand spent in the illegal (at the time) brothel industry.
While most would expect there to be a fair amount of sex and drugs involved, what may surprise readers are the stories of corporate mismanagement, gangsters, bomb threats, fire bombings, sexual harassment, bashings, kidnapping and other tales of general naughtiness. On a lighter note, there’s a lot of very funny stuff as well.
From Las Vegas to Johannesburg, from Amsterdam to Boston, from London to Sydney; from Boardroom to Backstage, All WILL BE REVEALED
From Las Vegas to Johannesburg, from Amsterdam to Boston, from London to Sydney; from Boardroom to Backstage, All WILL BE REVEALED
Register your interest in an advance copy of David’s autobiography, or an invitation to the launch party, HERE
Some will be nervous, some will wait with bated breath, and others will be terrified
Speaking and consultancy engagements
Apart from writing his autobiography, David is now available for very entertaining public speaking appearances and business consultancy engagements. Contact us HERE for further information.
David has teamed up with a number of financial service providers to promote financial security to those in and around the adult entertainment industry.
Since leaving Sexpo behind, David, like many in the adult entertainment industry, has come up against industry-based discrimination, including from banks and other financial institutions.
Such discrimination can make it very hard to plan a financial future.
It’s never too late or early to plan for financial security. An interesting background story will not guarantee a job or financial security after working in the adult entertainment industry. Start on your exit strategy today!
If you are, or have been involved with the adult industry, or any other marginalised group, and would like to speak to a forward thinking, liberal minded licenced financial advisor who is sympathetic to your situation, contact us HERE for further information.
Mr. Sexpo
David Ross, often referred to as Mr. Sexpo, conceived and launched the adult entertainment exhibition, Sexpo – health, sexuality and lifestyle expoin Australia, in 1996, before expanding to South Africa in 2007.