Travel and Vacation Packages Expanded for TRADEFIRST

While many cutback or cancel vacations, TRADEFIRST Members are booking exciting "Trade" vacation packages for 2012.

OAK PARK, MI – TRADEFIRST announced that it has expanded travel options for members by securing opportunities with new hotels, resort destinations throughout the United States, Caribbean and Mexico.

“We have been working diligently to expand the number of hotels, resorts and vacation destinations that accept Trade Dollars in lieu of cash,” said President and CEO Fred Detwiler. “For many of these luxury hotels and resorts taking trade for space that may otherwise go unused is just smart business in addition to being a great value for our members.”

Detwiler said the company recently hired a national expert to help secure barter opportunities with hotels and resorts to provide members with options for sunning and swimming at high end resorts from Mexico to St. Barts, to shopping in Chicago, deep sea fishing in Florida, playing in Vegas, skiing in Colorado and golfing in Palm Desert — the Trade First travel department has hundreds of ways for members to getaway. Some 500 hotels, resorts, restaurants – including the famed “Bitter End Yacht Club” -- are doing business with TradeFirst members.

TradeFirst has 5,000 business members and 15,000-plus TradeFirst card holders that can use their trade cards like credit cards in lieu of cash at thousands of locations for every imaginable product or service – including travel. “You could literally go on vacation for a week without spending a dime!,” says Detwiler.

“This has been and remains a tough economy,” said Detwiler. “While some businesses and families are cutting back, the use of Trade allows our members to fulfill dream travel plans they deserve for working so hard to build their businesses. Trade is the new business currency and we had a great year at TradeFirst building our business and helping contribute to Michigan’s turnaround.”

TRADEFIRST EXPANDS TRAVEL AND HOTEL OFFERINGS

“Using trade makes a lot of sense and is why we have done more than $40 million in business transactions this year,” said Stephen Schroeder, a marketing and media executive with TradeFirst.  “For any business that could use a growing marketing network and ready customers, they should consider trade or barter.” Schroeder said the company’s development of an automated computer-based system for use of electronic “trade dollars” makes transactions easy to execute.  The company offers credit card-like swipe cards, mobile phone apps and instant web-based transaction recording and receipts to keep member accounts updated and automated.

“This is not your grandfather’s barter and trade system, we are using technology to make trade as easy as cash,” Schroeder said.

Schroeder says with the local and national and even world economy going through extraordinary swings, TradeFirst helps stabilize values and allows businesses stability and growth while conserving cash flow. “TradeFirst – is the new business currency,” said Schroeder.

TradeFirst was founded in May of 1978 and has been an industry pioneer. The company helped make modern trade and barter a common and accepted practice for virtually any type of business. TradeFirst is headquarted in Oak Park, Michigan and has offices in Denver, Toledo, Ohio and, Pompano Beach, Florida. For more information please visit www.TradeFirst.Com.

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