ITEX Inland Valley Hosts Holiday Trade Fair

ITEX Inland Valley’s principals Peter and Neita Brooks recently hosted the annual Holiday Trade Fair at the Ontario Convention Center (CA)...in what is believed to be the largest cashless holiday trade fair in history.

Member businesses traveled from as far away as Florida and Canada,  with the intention of transacting with vendors to buy items using ITEX dollars. Member businesses purchased from 150 vendors, without using cash, credit card or bank check. Rather, they utilized their ITEX barter currency.

The convention center was a prime venue for this event with its vaulted walls of glass, dazzling contemporary architecture, abundant parking, and easy access to freeways and the Ontario International Airport. More than 2000 members, all business owners, shopped during the seven hour extravaganza. Vendors saw a steady flow of customers until way past the official closing time.

At the event, caterers and restaurants offered food and certificates for their services, plus there was a kid’s corner that had a moon bounce, pony rides and games, to allow parents time for shopping the massive event. A picture-taking opportunity with Santa Claus made this a memorable day for little ones.

Vendors displayed an enormous quantity of fine jewelry, men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and accessories, live and silk plants, handbags and gift baskets, perfumes, doors and windows, sports memorabilia, bath products, luggage, small electronics, grandfather clocks, fine chocolates, photography, art, wind chimes, music videos, classic music CDs, DJ and karaoke, cookware, tuxedos and formal wear.

There were golf products, Kachina dolls, hand-blown glass, dinner concert tickets, coffee, sports gear, cigars and accessories, toys, streetgliders and headsets, private labeled wine, Tupperware, day spa certificates and packages, and custom rugs. A real NASCAR racing car was on site, tempting attendees to sign up for a unique package that included a driving lesson and laps.

“The Holiday Trade Fair has always been the highlight of the year for many of our members,” voiced Neita Brooks. “There is so much camaraderie and positive energy at these events. The festive mood more than balances the tremendous effort that our staff and the vendors put out to make the event a success. The final figures have not been confirmed, but it is estimated that more than $2,400,000 in transaction-volume occurred.”

The ITEX Corp. has had four consecutive profitable years of operation. For a closer look at the largest trade exchange in North America click here.