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The following information was provided to us by the National Association of Trade Exchanges.

Trade Exchange Contingent Enjoys Annual Convention In Toronto

The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) held its 22nd Annual Convention August 10-12 at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. Although the convention was not as well attended as previous events, NATE attendees enjoyed an extremely positive and productive three days of seminars, and sales and broker training. All attendees said they came away with a great deal of useful information that they plan to implement within their own trade exchanges. 

NATE continues to keep pace with the latest innovations in technology, and many of its convention sessions covered such topics as search engine optimization, and how to use technology to improve the visibility and efficiency of their trade exchange.

Two viable ways that NATE is leading the pack, regarding technological advances in the barter industry, are through its newly redesigned NATE and Banc Web sites. Tom McDowell, Executive Director of NATE, said the association has received tremendous feedback from its members as to the ease of navigation and usefulness of these two sites.

NATE continues to stand at the forefront of the barter industry as the premier association for independent trade exchanges worldwide. But, like any industry, the world of barter is facing many significant challenges that impact the bottom line of each trade exchange owner. NATE addressed several of these challenges with such discussions as “Our New Competition and How to Combat It.”

This session helped to identify and deal with the effects of the Internet, superstores, and other factors that are infiltrating the barter industry and affecting the way trade exchanges do business.

As NATE looks to battle new competitors, members turned their attention to addressing the needs of their existing clients. Jonathan Weaver of Peak Performers conducted an intense sales session designed to help NATE trade exchange owners learn how to understand and speak their customers’ language, as well as to show how prospects and members view their business.

NATE also selected the following committee chairs for the next year. Ric Zampatti of The Barter Company in Atlanta is chairman of the Barter Association National Currency (Banc) Committee, and Jerry Howell of Midwest Business Exchange in Kalamazoo (MI) is chair of the Programs Committee. Dale Mardak of International Monetary Systems in New Berlin (WI) is chair of the Membership Committee.

NATE president Fran Crumpton of Gulf Coast Trade Exchange in Pensacola (FL) will continue to chair the Education Committee. Jim Cassidy of Barter Partners in St. Joseph (MI) will remain chair of the Technology Committee.

Eight trade brokers earned the prestigious Certified Trade Broker designation during the NATE convention. The trade brokers successfully completed the standards and met the qualifications to attain Certified Trade Broker status are Mark Reilly, Shannon Niebergall, Dave Schiff, Jordan Kruger, and Francisco Theoduloz of Barter Network Limited in Toronto; Mark Bowman of IMS Barter in New Berlin (WI); and Miriam Worsnop and Jonathan Fantham of XO Limited in New Zealand.

“The NATE Certified Trade Broker Program challenges each one of us to strive for the highest level of service to our clients and ensures the continued growth and expansion of our industry,” said Fran Crumpton, President of NATE. “This particular group of well-trained brokers will continue to be an asset to the barter industry.”

The CTB Program is offered annually during the NATE convention. Lisa Boudreau of IMS Barter-Connecticut and Anna McDowell of ATX The Barter Company in Cleveland, assisted with the CTB training.