BORN IN 1978, STRONGER THAN EVER IN 2026
Founded in 1978, we are one of the nation’s most experienced and established trade networks, brokering over half a billion dollars in trade in more than 1,000 categories of goods and services.
Acting as a financial and strategic partner, TradeFirst is dedicated to the growth and prosperity of all our members in Michigan, Ohio, Florida, and Caribbean regions.
OUR HISTORY
1970s
- 1978 - TradeFirst opened its doors under the name Michigan Trade Exchange.
- 1979 - TradeFirst developed a revolutionary program to calculate and manage trade transactions using data point terminals.
1980s
- 1983 - Acquired the Toledo, Ohio office.
- 1986 - Launched a 24-hour telephone authorization system.
1990s
- Early 1990s - The Michigan Trade Exchange becomes the Trade Exchange of America.
- 1990 - Instituted broadcast fax capabilities to notify members of new trading opportunities.
2000s
- 2000 - Launched interactive web presence capable of online trading, account maintenance, and member/category searches.
- 2002 - Started weekly eSpecial, an opt-in email for new goods and services.
- 2002 - The Trade Exchange of America became TradeFirst.com.
- 2003 - TradeFirst became the only barter company in the United States to offer swipe mag-card machines to members.
- 2008 - TradeFirst was the first barter company with a rating system allowing the community to publish instant feedback about transactions and sellers.
2010s
- 2010 - Launched the TradeFirst app for smartphones, allowing access to nearby member dining, retail, entertainment and other goods and services.
- 2011 - Created interactive training videos for members to easily learn how to get authorizations from our swipe machine, smartphone app, online and over the 24-hour line.
- 2013 - Card swipe innovations for smartphones and tablets, as well as USB connectable devices.
- 2015 - Introduced wireless tablets for members to use for transactions.
- 2017 - Improved TradeFirst smartphone app user experience with interactive mapping and real-time driving directions.
- 2018 - Launched online marketplace for purchasing gift cards.
- 2019 - Launched member-to-member online marketplace.
2020s
- 2023 - TradeFirst.com becomes TradeFirst: The Smart Network for Business.
- 2024 - Enhanced the TradeFirst mobile app with photo uploads, giving members another way to showcase their products and services.
2024 - Published practical online resources on putting TradeDollars to work for business needs, smarter spending and growth. - 2025 - Expanded Caribbean resort partnerships, creating more travel options for members and new ways for hospitality partners to use TradeDollars.
2025 - Brought businesses together at the annual TradeFirst Holiday Expo for member shopping, networking and new trading connections. - 2026 - Expanded Member Spotlights and digital promotions to share real trading success stories and increase visibility for member businesses.
2026 - Added “Ask AI About TradeFirst” links to the website, helping business owners learn about the network through leading AI tools.
2026 - Began applying AI-assisted research and marketing tools to develop more relevant member promotions, with staff guiding and reviewing the work.
2026 - Began exploring privacy-conscious AI insights to help brokers identify potential trading opportunities while keeping people at the center of member relationships.Smarter tools. Stronger relationships. More opportunities to trade.
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