NATE has forged a path
of vision, growth, and
camaraderie for its growing allegiance of members across the globe.

Fran Crumpton                  Harold Rice
Gulf Coast Trade Exchange       American Exchange Network

Tom & Anna McDowell
ATX The Barter Company

 
Richard Harris                  Jack Schacht
National Commercial Exchange       Illinois Trade Exchange

Back in the early 1980’s, Apple Computers unveiled its Macintosh personal computer, President Reagan had his sights set on a second term in the White House, and the Los Angeles Raiders defeated the Washington Redskins in the Super Bowl.

Singer Michael Jackson’s hair wasn’t the only thing that caught fire in 1984 — an upstart organization of trade exchange owners, looking for a way to build success in the barter industry sparked The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE.)

The inaugural meeting of NATE, took place in suburban Chicago during the sweltering summer of 1984. As founding members fondly recall, "With a disastrous start — how could we forget arriving for our meeting, only to find out that our hotel was actually an old age home which had just been closed down due to the elderly residents passing out from heat exhaustion that warm August afternoon?"

With a joint effort, that NATE has come to be known for, in a matter of hours this small group had the entire meeting and accommodations re-scheduled at The Executive Suites. Working from early morning to late at night (some things never change) breaking only to bring in sub sandwiches and pizza for lunches — they knew even then what had to be done for the betterment of the independent trade exchange and the barter industry.

After overcoming this initial hurdle, they realized this group was definitely destined for success. Included in the founding members were five exchanges that remain today as vitally important parts of NATE — Fran and the late Bob Crumpton of Gulf Coast Trade Exchange in Pensacola Florida; Harold Rice of American Exchange Network (Intra-World) in Kansas City, Kansas; Tom and Anna McDowell of ATX The Barter Company (American Trade Exchange) in Cleveland, Ohio; Richard Harris and his late brother, Bruce Harris of National Commercial Exchange in St. Louis; and Jack Schacht of Illinois Trade Association (Cook County Trade Exchange). These founders, who all helped to lay the groundwork for NATE over 20 years ago, have continued to nurture it with a combined Member effort to the proud and solvent organization it is today.

The ongoing dedicated efforts of the membership is reflected among NATE’s many accomplishments –- all largely due to the initial pioneer spirit of these special NATE founders. NATE has forged a path of vision, growth, and camaraderie for its growing allegiance of members across the globe. Taking a page from that first convention in 1984 – NATE continues to heat up business opportunities for its independent trade exchange members, with continued commitment to excellence — setting NATE members apart from others in the barter industry.