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.