#sexpoaustralia_news

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events, including the Adelaide event that was scheduled for October 4 to 6, just 11 days from that notification, and unpublished www.sexpo.com.au shortly afterwards.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 [email protected].

“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: [email protected]
PHONE: +61 (0) 419 266 981