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10/20/2009

(The following article was submitted to BarterNews from David Wallach on behalf of the International Reciprocal Trade Association.)

IRTA 2009 Legends Of Barter Convention An Unqualified Success

Quotes from attendees:

�I want to thank you again for putting on a great conference in Dallas. I saw a lot of relationships being made, and a lot of business getting done. Not only for me, but for just about everyone else that attended.�

(Barry Cohen, BCL Soft)

�Ron (IRTA Executive Director), you did a amazing job at that convention and just to let you know, people could not stop talking about you and how much good you are doing for UC and IRTA. I enjoyed myself and met some great people, I am really glad I went! Thanks again.�

(Matt Hepworth, Atlantic Barter)

�I enjoyed the Dallas convention and congratulate you on a fine show�

(Kenn Flemmons, Southern Barter)

�I found all of the conference seminars and panel discussions very informative.�

(Dariusz Brzozowiec, BCI Poland)

�I just wanted to say thank you for hosting a wonderful convention for IRTA last week. The Dallas Magnolia Hotel was the perfect venue. The staff was impressive and the hotel was impeccable. Everyone had a wonderful time.�

(Kim Strabley, IMS)

�Thank you Ron for inviting me to such wonderful gathering, my head is still spinning with new barter ideas.�

(Sergio Lub, Friendly Favours)

On October 1, over 100 Modern Trade and Barter industry members from all parts of the world converged upon the beautiful Magnolia Hotel in Dallas to attend the historic 30th IRTA Legends of Barter convention. Barter industry representatives came from Singapore, Turkey, Russia, Brazil, France, Poland and North America to celebrate the past, gain information, form business relationships and plan for the future.

�The fact that so many traveled so far to be here and participate,� declared IRTA Executive Director Ron Whitney, �emphasizes the world wide acceptance of the modern trade and barter process that capitalizes business and creates additional employment within our economies.�

Barter Hall-of-Famer and CEO of Active International, the world�s largest corporate barter company, Alan Elkin lead off the convention by introducing the keynote speaker Paul Suplizio. Paul, an IRTA founder and its first executive director, was primarily responsible for obtaining legal recognition for the trade credit with U.S. tax authorities that provides the very foundation of the modern trade and barter industry. His keynote address focused on and encouraged the industry to create a platform that would provide one card access to all of the world�s commercial barter exchanges.

The keynote address was followed with introductions of all present and the annual business meeting. During his �State of IRTA� speech, IRTA President David Wallach said, �It is my pleasure to report to you that IRTA is in excellent condition and continuing its 30-year tradition of providing substantial programs and services to all sectors of the Modern Trade and Barter Industry.� IRTA Treasurer Mary Ellen Rosinski found IRTA in exceptional financial condition, having cash on hand and with no debts either trade or cash.

The remainder of the first day was filled with various educational seminars and panels. Subjects included a panel discussion on �The Future of Universal Currency� led by Scott Whitmer, a �Seminar on Sales Techniques� chaired by Gary Field, a session �Positioning Your Exchange in a Recessionary Marketplace� moderated by Harold Rice and a �Broker Training Session� hosted by Lisa Mullen and Elizabeth Powell. That evening attendees enjoyed past friendships and made new connections in the relaxed atmosphere of a delicious Hawaiian Luau sponsored by Annette Riggs of Community Connect Trade located in Boulder, Colorado.

Thomas Greco, community currency guru and author of �The End of Money and the Future of Civilization,� was the lead-off speaker on Saturday morning with his presentation �The Next Big Leap in Cashless Trading.� His presentation chronicled the current economic meltdown and the important role the modern trade and barter industry will play in transcending the current economic system. �I was very impressed with Tom�s presentation,� commented Michael Mercier (IRTA Vice President), �the content was extremely informative and he delivered his message in a very clear and understandable way.�

The afternoon was filled with seminars and training sessions including �Certified Trade Broker Training,� �Maximizing Your Barter Company�s Growth� presented by Creg Esh, �Using New Internet Networking Techniques in Barter� hosted by Jason Richards and Sam Waltz Jr., �The IRS & TIN Matching Issues� led by IRTA Executive Director Ron Whitney� and �The Community Currency Movement And How It Can Help Your Barter Exchange� moderated by Annette Riggs with Thomas Greco. �I found all of the conference seminars and panel discussions very informative,� offered Dariusz Brzozowiec of BCI Poland

Later that day the IRTA Global Board of Directors welcomed newly elected Board Members Maximilien Urso of Efficio (Paris, France) and Annette Riggs of Community Connect Trade (Bolder, Colorado). David Wallach was re-elected President and Michael Mercier was re-elected Vice President of the IRTA Global Board of Directors.

The Board resolved to continue Operation Outreach by forming a speaker�s bureau, creating a co-operative industry advertising campaign, and developing lesson plans and syllabuses for course presentation in economic departments of business schools, universities and colleges.

Saturday evening and everyone in attendance is looking forward to the Awards Dinner. This festive semi-formal event was held in the Pegasus Ballroom which was a perfect place to meet the Legends of Barter, honor those receiving awards, and party and dance the evening away. The event was sponsored by The Allan Hackel Group, a corporate barter company located in Boston, Massachusetts.

As dessert was served IRTA executive director opened the Awards Ceremony portion of the program and began calling up those to be honored. Those honored with awards are as follows:

Best Broadcasted Video News Interview for 2009:

         1st place � IRTA accepted for all IRTA Members

         2nd place � Badger Barter (tie)

         2nd place � Active International (tie)

         3rd place � BizXchange

(These videos will shortly be available on the new IRTA web site.)

Ambassador Awards: go to those who have served the association by using their influence to increase IRTA membership.

         Bruce Kamm, Virtual Barter

         Catherine and Barry Cohen, BCL/Soft

         Phillip Dimitrox, XO

         Debbie Lombardi, BBU

UC Broker of the Year: goes to the most responsive and active Universal Currency member broker.

         Dea Shipp, BizXchange

IRTA Outstanding Achievement Award: is for excellent co-operation in the media and public relations area with other members of the industry.

         Gary Field, NuBarter

IRTA Paul St. Martin Distinguished Service Award: is the highest honor IRA can bestow upon a member and is awarded for exceptional service that goes above and beyond the call of duty. This year we have two very deserving honorees.

         Dr. Oi Kum Lee of BarterXchange Singapore

Dr. Lee has worked tirelessly and diligently to both educate and build awareness of IRTA and the modern trade and barter industry in the Pan Asian area of the world, instilling the values, standards and potential to create employment that is inherent to the industry.

         Allan Hackel of The Allan Hackel Organization

Allan, who has been in business since 1954 and is considered the �founding father� of the corporate barter industry, is credited with the invention of the accounts receivable concept that is to this day basic principle of a corporate barter transaction. He holds the coveted Barter Hall of Fame award and has received almost every award this industry has to offer. He continues to work every day, functioning as the hands-on CEO of his organization that is the oldest privately owned barter company in the world.

Before his death in 2002, Paul St. Martin worked with Allan for 18 years and was one of Allan�s closest friends. Therefore it is most appropriate that at this time the IRTA Global Board of Directors bestows this award upon him.

The Barter Hall of Fame: is the highest honor the industry can bestow. The honor recognizes individuals of the highest professional character and ethical conduct who are regarded as indisputable leaders of the modern trade and barter industry. An inductee must have a minimum of ten years of continuous industry service and have made recognizable and specific contributions to the industry as a whole.

         Don Mardak of IMS Barter/International Monetary Systems

Don began his barter industry career in 1984. He has received two IRTA Outstanding Achievement Awards, a NATE Gary Monkman Memorial Award, served 10 years on the NATE board (two terms as its president), participated as a founding member of the NATE Banc currency system and presently serves on the IRTA Global Board of Directors. Don has recently served as a spokesman and ambassador for the modern trade and barter industry via several media outlets and at investor conferences.

Legends Of Barter Award

In celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the International Reciprocal Trade Association and in order to recognize certain extraordinary individuals that have served the modern trade and barter industry since 1979, IRTA presents the Legends of Barter Award. It is an honor that was presented to members who have helped to shape and define the industry over a period of ten or more years between 1979 to 2009, as evident through positive and identifiable actions.

This is an industry wide award and includes individuals from all industry sectors including commercial barter, corporate barter and the community currency movement. Honorees need not be IRTA members, current industry members or present at the IRTA convention to receive this award.

The individual honorees were listed in the Tuesday Report dated 09/29/09 click here.



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