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Friday, December 07, 2007
Peter and Neita Brooks, ITEX Inland Valley principals, secured the Ontario Convention Center and hosted what is believed to be the largest cashless Holiday Trade Fair in U.S. History. ITEX member businesses traveled from as far away as Florida and Canada all 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 'ITEX dollars', a 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; a kid's corner had a moon bounce, pony rides and games to allow parents time to shop 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 CD's ; DJ and Karaoke; cookware; tuxedos and formal wear; 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 for a lesson and laps in a REAL racing car on a professional race track.
The Holiday Trade Fair has always been the highlight of the year for many of our members, said 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 transactions volume occurred. This undoubtedly makes it the largest event of its kind in the United States ever, she concluded.
About ITEX ITEX, The Membership Trading CommunitySM, is a thriving community of member businesses buying and selling more than $270 million a year in ITEX dollar transactions. Member businesses increase sales through an exclusive distribution channel managed by franchisees, licensees and corporate-owned locations, by utilizing ITEX dollars to exchange goods and services. ITEX is powered by ITEX Payment Systems, a leading payment technology platform for processing cashless business transactions. ITEX is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. Contact: Alan Zimmelman ITEX Corporation 425.463.4017 [email protected]
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