Michael Mercier
The Hall of Fame Committee is pleased to announce that Michael Mercier, founder and President of Metro Trading Association, has been selected to receive the 2014 Hall of Fame Award. This is the highest honor conferred by IRTA. He is a barter industry founder and past President of IRTA. The Hall of Fame Committee is comprised of all the former recipients of the Hall of Fame Award.
The award will be presented at IRTA’s 35th Annual International Convention being held September 25th through 27th in Cancun at the Grand Oasis Resort.
Michael started Metro Trading Association in 1978. It services the business community in Michigan and Ohio. In addition to being a past IRTA President, Michael has served as IRTA’s Vice-President and Secretary. Mercier has chaired numerous IRTA committees and been recognized with the “Paul St. Martin Award”, “Legend of Barter Award” and numerous “Outstanding Achievement Awards.” Since 1984 he has been a tireless worker to unite the industry domestically.
Michael also played a leading role as the long-term chair person of IRTA’s Government Relations Committee. He authored, (with IRTA staff), legislation to regulate the industry that was twice introduced in the United States Congress. Additionally, he was deeply involved with lobbying Congress in response to the “John Doe” summons activity of the IRS. This led to the government’s recognition of the barter industry as a third-party record keeper via the Tax Equity and Fiscal and Responsibility Act (TEFRA). This record keeper designation was the first point cited by the Commissioner in the the recent exemption obtained by IRTA from the CA Money Transmitter Act.
IRTA congratulates Michael on his well deserved 2014 Hall of Fame Award!
IRTA invites all retail barter exchanges, corporate trade companies, complementary currency organizations and counter-trade companies to attend this year’s most important industry convention!
To register for the 2014 IRTA Convention, Click HERE.
To review the program schedule for the 2014 IRTA Convention, click HERE.
If you have questions regarding the IRTA Convention, contact IRTA’s Executive Director, Ron Whitney at ron@irta.com or 757-393-2292, or IRTA’s Project Manager, Patty Weston at patty@irta.com or 407-951-6797.