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The city officials were trying to make a case for a retail outlet to build in his/her area.
The convention featured 1,800 exhibits.
City officials were joined by representatives from Raven Development, St. Louis.
Raven is the city's development firm to market the new TIF development area along the Interstate 44 corridor in St. Clair.
"This is the first year St. Clair has attended," Arndt said. "I felt like it was a productive trip for us - I'm wondering why we didn't do it sooner."
The mayor and administrator were pushing the area to national real estate developers and retail companies.
Arndt said he felt like the city came away with at least five good prospects for businesses that could go into the city's TIF development coordinator.
According to Arndt, he and the mayor met with representatives of the following companies:
* A&W Restaurant;
* Arby's;
* Bass Pro Shops;
* Big Lots;
* CVS Pharmacy;
* Dairy Queen;
* Del Taco;
* Denny's;
* Dollar Tree;
* Dots;
* Family Dollar;
* Firehouse Subs;
* Game Stop;
* Hardee's;
* Hibbett Sports;
* Jimmy Johns;
* KFC;
* Long John Silvers;
* Quiznos;
* Save-A-Lot;
* Shop 'n Save;
* Sonic;
* Home Depot;
* Walgreens;
* Wal-Mart;
* Wendy's; and
* White Castle.
Arndt had told The Missourian before the trip that he was looking specifically at businesses that would be unique to the area.
"We want to bring something unique back to St. Clair," he said.
Arndt said he felt the trip was good for the city, even though the economy kept the convention smaller than in years past.
"It was still overwhelming," he said. "You almost didn't know where to begin."
Arndt said the city presented marketing materials to each business.
Now city officials will focus on following up with these companies during the next few weeks.
"We are going to make our sales pitch for the city and hopefully build some relationships," he said.
City officials were told to anticipate a 2-3 percent return rate on the companies they spoke with at the convention.
"If we talk to 100 companies and we can get two or three of them to come to St. Clair, that would be fantastic," he said. "We are excited about what this could mean for St. Clair."
