Barron Perales, San Antonio ITEX trade broker, said, “This cashless event is designed to demonstrate how ITEX functions as an economic saver for the small business owner. All vendors will be selling at 100% ITEX barter. In addition, the food, entertainment, photographer, Santa, and decorations were all secured with ITEX barter.”

Dinner will feature various cuisines offered by local restaurant owners such as Green Vegetarian Cuisine and Coffee, Simple Simon’s Pizza, Texas Pride Barbecue and other great restaurants apart of ITEX. ITEX members will offer their goods and services for sale for ITEX barter dollars only. No cash will be exchanged.

Business owners seeking to stretch their cash are invited to attend the event to observe how barter transactions work as well as to see the vast array of products and services available for purchase through ITEX barter.

ITEX will provide a free booth in the trade show to any business owner who joins ITEX before the event. Entrepreneurs will enjoy the opportunity to earn ITEX dollars at the show and build up their account quickly.

“Businesses are struggling to conserve their cash in today’s tight economy,” Perales said. “ITEX members can get a jump-start on their holiday shopping at the trade show without spending a penny of cash. They can also sell their own goods and services for trade dollars without any cost, building up their ITEX balance for their own holiday shopping. They can have a wonderful Christmas without spending cash, and they can see how that is done by attending the trade show.”

Business owners wanting to take advantage of the free booth offer can learn more by contacting the San Antonio ITEX office at 210.281.1111.

Some highlights:

• The 14 barter expos and holiday gift shows generated more than $2.7 million in sales this year.
• The IMS online marketplace has had three consecutive weeks of record volume.
• For the period from May through December 16th of 2009, marketplace sales have increased by 129% over the same period last year.

During 2009, International Monetary Systems consolidated its client base by terminating members who were not active in the system. As a result, average revenue per transaction has increased by 5.3%.

CEO Don Mardak commented: “It was very refreshing to see all the excitement at our holiday expos. There was an enthusiastic buzz in the air, as IMS members were able to do their Christmas shopping without using cash. While many retailers are reporting a decline in seasonal sales for 2009, our trading volume is quite consistent with last year, as our secondary barter economy continues to enhance the businesses and lifestyles of our members.”

Like many retailers and service providers, IMS has been segueing into a less-labor-intense model, with more transactions taking place online. After a successful November, the company expects to finish 2009 with the strongest operating profit in its history.

IMS recently announced that its board of directors has authorized a share buyback program to repurchase up to 4% of its outstanding shares in public and private transactions.

With trade dollars, she said, she has bought advertising, fixed her computers, hired limousines and added a bathroom to her house. “It’s actually improved my business by 10 percent.”

Get the full story at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/us/29sfbarter.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

Buy Nothing Day will be held at Live Oak Friends Meetinghouse, 1318 W. 26th in the Heights, Houston from 1-4PM Today. For more information see http://www.houstononthecheap.com/support-buy-nothing-day-at-friday-event

The business public is welcome to attend. New England Trade membership is NOT required. Trading up in New England
Since 1980, New England Trade has helped thousands of businesses gain a competitive edge by expanding their revenue and reach with barter. Restaurants, auto services, travel, retail stores, and professional business services such as accounting, legal and advertising/marketing are a sampling of the numerous clients who do business with New England Trade and each other. Maintaining offices at 926 Eastern Avenue in Malden, Mass., as well as 100 West Main Street in Hyannis for its Cape Cod branch (www.CapeCodTrade.com), New England Trade has become the largest barter organization in New England. The company is a founding member of the National Association of Trade Exchanges and a member of the International Reciprocal Trade Association, New England Trade manages more than $5-million in sales annually and has a staff of 10 people. New England Trade is operated by experienced, Certified Trade Brokers who know how to make barter work for business. The company is a long-standing member of the Malden Chamber of Commerce.

For additional information about New England Trade, please visit www.NewEnglandTrade.com or call 781-388-9200.

Barter Business Unlimited, Connecticut’s top trade exchange company, announced today that it will be hosting the 2009 Annual Business & Holiday Barter Show on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel, 42 Century Drive, Bristol, CT, phone (860) 589-7766. All Barter Business Unlimited members and their families will be exhibiting or attending the show. In addition, all interested business owners are invited to attend the event including individuals with a large commodity to trade such as a boat, cars, campers or real estate.

“We are expecting well over 1000 people to our Annual Business & Holiday Barter Show. Because of these tougher economic times, business owners have really been leveraging barter as an important business tool to seek new sales and revenues. With opportunities to buy and learn more about our barter members who are involved in almost every type of business, such as healthcare, dental care, financial services, retail clothing, technology, food, sports and entertainment, advertising and marketing, our Holiday Barter Show will be filled with networking and new business opportunities. All interested business owners and individuals with something to trade are also invited to attend for free as well,” said Debbie Lombardi, president, Barter Business Unlimited.

Over 100 businesses will have exhibit booths at the Barter Business Unlimited Annual Business & Holiday Barter Show including the Fitchman Eye Center, AMP Radio Network, Black Eye Sally’s Restaurant, Gutter Pro USA, DBK Family Jewelers and Executive Valet. “Working with a barter company has definitely helped our company’s growth curve. Not only does it bring us new customers, but our aggressive referral program creates cash customers as well. The Holiday Barter Show will be a great opportunity to gain exposure, meet people and increase our sales within the barter community,” said Jeffrey Cohen, V.P., Sales, ImageWorks, LLC., a Vernon, CT based Web development and Internet solutions company. “Debbie and her team are planning on attracting thousands of New England business representatives to this month’s big barter event.”

Sponsored by Foodshare of Connecticut, Barnum Financial Group, Connecticut Business Hall Of Fame and the Growing Green Co-op, the 2009 Annual Business & Holiday Barter Show will be a family-friendly event with food, fun, door prizes, bull riding contests and music provided by DJ Mike Stacy. Members will also have the opportunity to bid on hundreds of auction items and participate in hourly raffle contests.

With offices based in Bristol, Connecticut, Barter Business Unlimited, Inc., is a proud member of the Universal Currency, Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Trade Executives and the International Reciprocal Trade Association. To hear more about the barter industry and BBU, visit www.blogtalkradio.com/bartertoday. Linkedin.com and Facebook users can also join barter industry user groups. For more information about Barter Business Unlimited, visit www.bbubarter.com.

The Barter Network’s 3rd Holiday Trade Show
“Yes, we give away over $20,000.00″

Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Bahia Shrine Center
Street: 2300 Pembrook Drive
City/Town: Orlando, FL
Phone: 4076410221
Email: Info@TheBarterNetwork.net