IRTA Looks Forward After Banner Year 2008

International Reciprocal Trade Association president, David Wallach, believes the current worldwide economic downturn has presented the modern trade and barter industry with a unique opportunity to demonstrate to the business community how excess business capacities and underperforming assets can be transformed into capitalization and bottom line profits.

“The members of IRTA are uniquely positioned to lead the industry into a new and unprecedented level of recognition and achievement,” Wallach pointed out. “Applying modern trade and barter is one of the solutions towards a path of worldwide economic recovery and job creation.”

IRTA members are reporting an increase in transactions in the 15% to 35% range; new membership sign-ups appear to track the same percentages of increases. Moreover, barter is attracting an enormous amount of attention from the media. As a result, the benefits of commercial barter are quickly spreading globally.

2008 was a year of growth for IRTA, with a 35% increase in membership. The 29th Annual International IRTA Convention at the Westgate River Ranch was a smashing success attended by industry members from all over the world.       

IRTA’s goals for 2009 are in keeping with the industry’s increased international awareness. Key goals include:

·           Increase membership with 25 new members.

·           Completely re-design and update the IRTA web site.

·           Provide monthly IRTA & UC newsletters.

·         Initiate new and creative programs that add value for IRTA and UC members.

·         Celebrate the 30th anniversary of IRTA with a hugely successful annual convention in the fall of 2009.

The International Reciprocal Trade Association (www.irta.com), is a non-profit organization that self-regulates and provides standards for member companies in the trade and barter industry.