A large crowd turned out for Oklahoma-based Locke Supply’s biannual trade show recently held at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City.

While an official attendance number is not kept, Locke Supply Director of Plumbing Sales and Branch Operations Kyle Cline told Supply House Times lunch was served for about two hours each day and the company served 10,500 lunches during that combined four-hour timespan.

“We fed more people this year and it ‘felt’ bigger,” Cline said.

The show attracts a variety of Locke Supply customers including contractors, general contractors, journeymen, apprentices, architects and engineers. Locke closes its branches on the Saturday of the show to allow all associates to attend, Cline noted.

“Our trade show offers customers the opportunity to interact directly with the manufacturers from whom they purchase,” Cline said. “It gives them a tremendous opportunity to see new product and learn the benefits of the products Locke Supply offers. On the flipside, our vendors have the opportunity to interact with thousands of customers who are actually in the field installing their product. You don’t get that with most of the trade shows our vendors attend. Also, this is our opportunity to show our customers how much Locke appreciates their business.”

In addition to lunch, the trade show, which in earlier years was held in a small building at the state fairgrounds before consistent growth necessitated a move to the larger convention center in Oklahoma City, features a plethora of opportunities for attendees to win prizes. Some of the prizes won included four-wheelers, a bass boat, Polaris Rangers and RAZRs, numerous trips, autographed sports memorabilia, gun safes, freezers, TVs and electronics.

Locke, a member of the AD buying group, also offered breakout sessions, which are classes sponsored by manufacturers to provide new product information to customers. Some of the classes were approved for continuing education credits.

A total of 304 manufacturers attended the event this year spanning the plumbing, electrical and HVAC industries.

“Our vendors put forth a tremendous amount of effort for this show,” Cline said. “Every year we have vendors that step up and make their booths bigger and better. Some of our vendors brought the same booth setup to our show as they did to AHR Expo. Our customers always are excited to see how much bigger the show is every time we hold it.”