Reigning XBIZ “Director of the Year” Kayden Kross, a decorated artist whose career from adult superstar to cinematic maven spans 15 years, will deliver an exclusive keynote address at XBIZ 2022.

On Wednesday, Jan. 5 in the Beachwood Ballroom of the Kimpton Everly Hotel at 4 p.m. (PST), Kross will reveal how she shepherds meticulously crafted scenes and attention-grabbing features as captain and commander for Vixen Media Group’s prolific production juggernaut.

Kross will also share her inspiring story of co-founding Deeper.com, discuss her approach to writing and directing industry-renowned media and talk about how she navigates a prolific content pipeline, applying rigorous cinematic standards and experimenting with bold scenes and themes alongside contract star Maitland Ward.

“It’s an honor to be selected to deliver XBIZ’s keynote speech this year,” Kross said. “I started as a dancer in a strip club in 2003, became a contracted adult performer in 2006, and began dabbling in directing, writing, and producing adult films when I settled down with a fellow performer and shifted away from my onscreen work after 2012.”

“That dabbling led to my role as a studio owner, which has required me at one point or another to wear every hat there is to get the job done,” she continued. “I do feel that I’ve acquired a massive amount of perspective, knowledge, and a certain sort of intuition for this industry under this umbrella of experience, and I’m looking forward to sharing some of those insights.”

In the April 2021 issue of XBIZ magazine, Kross delved into her evolution from exotic dancer to contract star for famed studios like Vivid, Adam & Eve, and Digital Playground, and her indie filmmaking project TrenchcoatX.com alongside Stoya. When her XBIZ award-winning titles like “Sun-Lit” and “Sacrosanct” caught the eye of former Vixen frontman and acclaimed director Greg Lansky, he enlisted her to produce works for the studio.

After her blockbuster performer showcase “Abigail” swept the 2019 XBIZ Awards, among other scenes she lensed, Kross continued to garner momentum with bigger and grander projects like “Drive,” “Muse,” “Mistress Maitland,” “Psychosexual,” “Influence” and many a stunning featurette that has led her to become a creative force of nature in adult.

For a full schedule of XBIZ 2022, which began today and ends Thursday, click here.

The day after XBIZ 2022 concludes, the inaugural fan show X3 Expo will take place at the Hollywood Palladium on Jan. 7-8. Finally, Jan. 9 will mark the in-person return of the adult industry’s biggest night: the 2022 XBIZ Awards, presented by ManyVids and hosted by Maitland Ward.

Free registration for XBIZ 2022 is available for affiliates, producers and talent, while XBIZ.net members qualify for discounted admission. For more event information and sponsorship opportunities, visit XBIZShow.com.