IRTA LATEST NEWS
August 13, 2008

M. Sirri Simsek

Today Ron Whitney Executive Director of the International Reciprocal Trade Association announced that M. Sirri Simsek will be formally recognized as the 2008 inductee into the Barter Hall of Fame on September 24, 2008 during the 29^th annual IRTA Convention to be held at the Westgate River Ranch near Orlando Florida.  

“Sirri Simsek has truly contributed to the Modern Trade and Barter Industry in a universally recognized manor.” Said Whitney; “The Industry is very proud to honor him”

The Barter Hall of Fame is the highest honor the Modern Trade and Barter 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.

Mr. Simsek is CEO of Turk Barter located in Istanbul, Turkey. The company has over 10,000 participating business clients that are active in domestic and international Modern Trade and Barter transactions thru the Turk Barter system.

As an active global speaker Simsek has addressed and educated audiences about the economic benefits of Modern Trade and Barter during several international conferences, including, the Eurasia Economic Summit, Conference of the Stroheim Foundation, the Kalder International Association and the ESBAS Conference.

His other Industry accomplishments include;

• Authored an educational Industry related book “Moneyless Trade: Barter”,
• Has served on the IRTA Global Board of Directors and Ethics Committee for several years
• Was a founding member and is a current active member of the IRTA European Chapter.
• First to apply swipe technology to barter transactions
• Working with the Turkish government to secure standards of operation of Barter systems for the benefit of all Barter clients.

“We congratulate Sirri for earning and receiving the Barter Hall of Fame Award” said IRTA President David Wallach, “He exemplifies all of the best qualities our Industry has to offer.

Current members of the Barter Hall of Fame include:

Nationally Renowned Global Investment Strategist, Catherine Austin Fitts Selected As Keynote Speaker for IRTA's 29th Annual Barter Convention

Register Now

Catherine Austin Fitts offers a unique perspective on the U.S. and global financial crisis and the importance of the barter and alternative currency industries in today's perilous economic world.  Her background includes:

• Investment Advisor: Founder and managing member of Solari Investment Advisory Services, LLC.
   
• Entrepreneur: President of The Hamilton Securities Group, investment bank and financial software developer.
   
• Government Official: Assistant Secretary of Housing - Federal Housing Commissioner, George H.W. Bush .
   
• Investment Banker: Managing Director and member of the board of Wall Street firm Dillon Read & Co. Inc.

Catherine has designed and closed over $25 billion of transactions and investments to-date and has led portfolio strategy for $300 billion of financial assets and liabilities. For more information on Catherine Austin Fitts, please visit her website at http://solari.com

IRTA'S 29TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE APPROACHES

September 22nd - September 24th 

Have you Registered? 

2008 PLATINUM SPONSOR:                                                      

The Westgate River Ranch Resort in combination with the cirriculum and activities planned for IRTA's 29th International Conference is looking to be a real winner for all.  Rooms are limited, so register now to take advantage of the GREAT rates and to reserve your room! 

Registration rates will go up at the end of this month! Click here to register now!

Dont forget about registering for your CTB! 

IRTA GROWING AT RECORD PACE

IRTA's 2008 membership push has reaped rewards as new, mature and international exchanges have recognized the multiple benefits of IRTA participation.

The membership increase combined with new program directives such as the new non-member industry category and the re-establishment of the corporate council have re-energized IRTA. As a result, the upcoming 29th Annual Conference at the Westgate River Ranch Resort outside of Orlando, FL from September 22 through September 24th, 2008 is causing a lot of excitement in the industry.

The fresh series of relevant and topical programs being offered coupled with nationally renowned speakers scheduled has only heightened the buzz about the conference.

Visit www.irta.com or download the registration form here.

IRTA PRESIDENT DAVID WALLACH HAS TERM EXTENDED

In recognition of his unselfish commitment and tireless efforts on behalf of IRTA, the Board has extended Dave Wallach’s term as President for another year.  This is also a function of how well Dave has been doing with his health; he has successfully been gaining in his battle with cancer.  “Dave is an amazing guy who brings more energy to the table then guys half his age”, said Executive Director, Ron Whitney, “he has a true passion for the Modern Trade and Barter and Alternative Currency Industries, and IRTA would not be able to accomplish the great things we’re doing without him, he truly is a special person.”

IRTA BOARD CREATES NEW COUNCIL, REINSTATES ANOTHER

It is IRTA’s primary mission to “promote just and equitable standards of practice and operation within the Modern Trade and Barter and other Alternative Capital systems Industry”. Therefore the IRTA Global Board of Directors has authorized a new Community Currency Council that will specifically focus on areas of interest to that important sector of the Modern Trade and Barter Industry.  The council is chaired by IRTA Board Member Richard Logie who has assembled a distinguished panel of Community Currency leaders including Bernard Leitear and Thomas Greco.

Earlier this year in response to the suggestion of Corporate Barter leaders Alan Elkin and Alan Hackel the Board approved a measure that will re-establish the Corporate Barter Council. The Council will include Media Barter companies and establish oversight and self regulation to this huge area of our business. Both new Councils will meet at the up coming IRTA Conference to be held in Orlando Florida September 22nd thru the 24th 2008.

If you are interested in participating in either of the new Councils please contact Ron Whitney, ron@irta.com or 757-393-2292.       

IRTA EUROPE ADDS NEW MEMBERS

IRTA'S European chapter had a very successful conference in Gliwice, Poland in April 2008, which was graciously hosted by Dariusz Brzozowiec and BCI Poland. The Euro chapter continues to grow its ranks and has recently added new members BEXB, Silvio Bettini in Brescia, Italy and EVX International, Szabo Dorottya from Hungary.

The newly elected officers for the Euro Chapter pictured from left to right are: Richard Logie, President, Rob Van Hilten, Vice-President, Dariusz Brzozowiec, Treasurer, and Reiner Husemann, Secretary. 

FIRST ANNUAL IRTA VIDEO AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Ron Whitney, IRTA Executive Director announced that the first Annual Video Awards will be held at the Westgate River Ranch Resort near Orlando, Florida on September 22nd thru 24th, 2008 during the 29th IRTA Annual Convention. “This new award program will recognize outstanding video productions that have been created by Modern Trade and Barter Industry companies. The Video Award Program will be opened to all conference attendees including those who are not current members of IRTA, “ said Whitney. Dave Wallach, IRTA President added "The use of video productions for sales presentations and website use has increased dramatically over the past five years.There are scores of very creative and entertaining Video Productions that members of our industry have created. The IRTA Global Board of Directors felt it was time to recognize and reward those efforts.”

Videos entered in the competition will be viewed by all attendees during Conference prime time and be judged for important production values, such as clarity of message, organization, creativity and effectiveness. The winners of the competition will receive their Awards at the concluding ceremony of the Conference and their Videos will be featured prominently on the IRTA website. IRTA is the oldest and most established barter, trade and alternative currency association in the world. IRTA’s global focus assures creative input from a wide variety of companies and individuals with an unsurpassed collective industry experience.

Click here for an application.

IRTA Mission Statement

The mission of IRTA is to provide to all Industry Members with an ethically based global organization dedicated to the advancement of Modern Trade and Barter and other alternative capital systems, through the use of education, self regulation, high standards and government relations.