The following constitute the three ED Honors Nominees for the “Industry Innovator of the Year” Award
Established in 2025, the ED “Honors” Awards will once again acknowledge specific individuals who have made a significant contribution to the industry at large. The nominees for these awards will be announced via our websites and social media channels, and the winners will be chosen by our “ED Honors Board,” a collection of well-established industry professionals from across the country who represent several areas of club operation, from clubs both big and small.
The nominees for the ED Honors Awards were chosen in large part via feedback received during the ED Awards’ pre-nomination voting process (held from mid-May to mid-June 2026). Voters were asked to not only nominate individuals for the Honors Awards, but also explain in detail “why” they deserve the recognition.
These “Honors” Awards will be presented in 2026:
Industry Innovator of the Year
Progressive Leader (GM/Regional) of the Year
Outstanding Employee of the Year
In 2025, the ED Honors Board consisted of these voting members, and each was invited to return as an Honors Board voter in 2026: David “Slim” Baucom, owner, MAL Entertainment; Joey Bien, owner, The Treasure Clubs, Shon Bolden, owner, Devil’s Point and The Lucky Devil; Joe Carouba, owner, BSC Management; Jeb Jarrell, PANDA President and DJ; Larry Kaplan, ED legal correspondent; John Kirkendoll, owner, Penthouse Clubs/Kirkendoll Management; Don Kleinhans, owner, 2001 Odyssey; Danny Meyers, veteran DJ/MC; Thom Naylor, GM, Archibalds, DC; Dave Peacock, GM, Platinum 84; Dawn Rizos, owner, The Lodge; Jenn Shamy, owner, Delilah’s; Jim St. John, Spearmint Rhino; Jeremy Sweigert, DJ, Michael’s Men’s Club; Kathy Vercher, President & CEO, Spearmint Rhino; Jerry Westlund, owner, The Pony Clubs; Curtis Wise, owner, Bucks clubs.
Criteria for the Industry Innovator of the Year – A trailblazer who pushes the boundaries of possibilities within the industry, the recipient of this award is someone whose creative thinking, groundbreaking ideas and innovative solutions are transforming the landscape. Whether through new club concepts, new technology, extensive renovations, or ambitious approaches, these individuals are leading the charge in redefining the future, setting new standards and shaping the next generation of success.
Scott Discianno, Keith Slifstein and Alan Chang, Owners, Las Toxicas 
Keith Slifstein, Scott Discianno and Alan Chang, partners of Las Toxicas Gentlemen’s Clubs, exemplify forward-thinking club ownership by identifying an underserved niche in the adult nightclub marketplace and strategically capitalizing on it to create a distinct guest experience. Their rapid growth — four Las Toxicas locations (Las Vegas, El Paso, Houston, Dallas) have opened in the past two years — reflects a disciplined expansion strategy paired with a clear and consistent brand identity centered on the Latino nightlife market.
The trio made a deliberate decision to focus on a culturally specific audience, blending upscale design, premium service standards and high-energy entertainment to deliver a differentiated adult club experience. This targeted approach sets Las Toxicas apart within our highly competitive industry, building strong regional loyalty while supporting scalable national growth.
By merging cultural authenticity with elevated hospitality, they demonstrate a data-driven, modern approach to club ownership and position Las Toxicas’ owners as worthy nominees for the 2026 Industry Innovator of the Year Honors Award.
Mike Dickinson, Regional Manager, The Pony Clubs 
Mike Dickinson has earned a reputation as one of the adult nightclub industry’s most forward-thinking operators through his commitment to offering entertainment that is far outside the norm. His latest innovation involves recognizing and cultivating the next generation of club entertainment; specifically, he embraces “special guest appearances” by those with large social media and reality television followings, through such key locations as The Admiral Theater in Chicago.
By identifying emerging social media “stars” before they become mainstream and creating new entertainment options for club guests, Dickinson continues to help shape the future of entertainment in this industry. His entrepreneurial vision and leadership make him a deserving nominee for ED’s Industry Innovator of the Year Award.
Macy John, Marketing Director, RCI 
As the Marketing Director for RCI Hospitality Holdings, Macy John oversees digital marketing, communications and social media strategy across their portfolio, guiding brands and entertainers through a rapidly shifting platform landscape while maintaining visibility, compliance and fan engagement. As a key voice navigating the industry’s evolving digital restrictions, John has tracked the sharp rise in account shutdowns and automated enforcement across Meta platforms since 2024. What began as regional disruptions has escalated into widespread suspensions driven by algorithmic moderation systems that often remove content without human review or clear explanation.
Under her leadership, RCI has adapted by fundamentally reengineering its content strategy—shifting away from overtly suggestive imagery and language toward hospitality, entertainment and experience-driven storytelling. She has also implemented internal compliance guidelines to ensure every employee and partner understands platform risk before accessing brand accounts. Her work has redefined how a major multi-brand operator communicates in an era of automated oversight and tightening restrictions, making Macy a deserving nominee for ED’s Industry Innovator of the Year Award.
