By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Expo Boosts City Image, Coffers
Tradeshow
Infinity Sports’ annual tradeshow brought in hundreds of product representatives and customers to its three-day event at the Gene Bianchi Community Center. - photo by RICHARD PALOMA/The Leader
A three-day tradeshow hosted by a local distribution company brought in much needed revenue to bolster local businesses.
Infinity Sports of Oakdale, an outdoor sports and recreational wholesaler, hosted the event at the Gene Bianchi Community Center from June 14 through June 16 attracting dealers, company representatives, and customers to the city filling local lodges and restaurants.
“I couldn’t get a room in the city since they were all sold out,” said Gary Berge of San Ramon, a regional sales manager for 5.11 Tactical Gear, an apparel and equipment company based in Modesto. “I ended up driving one day and staying at a hotel in Modesto another night.”
Both the Oakdale Best Western and Holiday Inn Express reported they had no vacancies during those dates.
Melissa Dubiel, Infinity Sports chief operating officer, said their annual show had over 100 manufacturers with more than 300 dealers and representatives from all over the country displaying their products in the community center during the three days.
Dubiel said since they are a distribution company, the event was not public and was by invitation only. The company has some 200 various accounts and the trend was for the invited account holder to bring some of their customers with them.
Inside the community center were several rows of various products and lines of equipment on display. Guests funneled through the exhibits talking with the representatives and examining the latest products in camping, hunting, competitive shooting, gun supply, and outdoor clothing.
“The past few days, everything’s gone so great,” said Dubiel. “We used to hold this at the FES Hall but outgrew that facility. This (community center) is so much better.”
Joanne Reiter of Minnesota was at the exhibition answering questions about the latest line of hearing protection on display from Peltor Safety Products, a 3M Company.
“Your city has been so accommodating,” said Reiter about staying in Oakdale during the event dates.
The tradeshow saw the representatives and dealers arriving on Tuesday, June 14, to set up for the exhibition. Infinity Sports treated them to a catered dinner inside party tents that were set up outside the community center. On Wednesday, the account holders and guests were also treated to a catered dinner at the hall.
“They (Infinity Sports) always take care of us when we come here,” said Sales Representative Bill Powell of Kent Cartridge, based in West Virginia. “I’ve enjoyed my stay in Oakdale.”
“The chamber is happy to have this show in town,” added Oakdale Chamber of Commerce CEO Mary Guardiola. “Many locals benefit from the hotel stays, restaurants and retail sales.”
Guardiola went on to say that the chamber of commerce is working with city officials to attract and schedule other conventions to the community center.