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Recognizing the need for an organization through which mutual problems could be addressed and solutions sought, a Merchants Association was a major step in fostering, encouraging and developing a closer relationship and friendship between its members and the mercantile interests of Tampa and its vicinity.
1911 Merchants Association of Tampa was formed. Other purposes of the Association, as stated in its Articles of Incorporation, are "to promote just and equitable principles in trade, to correct abuses and endeavor to overcome controversies and misunderstandings, to encourage needful legislation and to oppose the enactment of laws which might be detrimental to mercantile interests, to formulate and maintain a credit file and information bureau; and to cooperate in the furtherance of all things advantageous to its members.
1916 Chartered by the Circuit Court of Hillsborough County, Florida Soon after organizing, there were growing requests from the business community for a central clearing office for the exchange of consumer paying experience.
1917 The Credit Bureau of Tampa was organized. Some 4,000 reports on individuals were furnished to member merchants during the year. As the use of the Credit Bureau by credit grantors grew, the Association recognized a need for assistance to its members in the collection of past due accounts. A collection department was formed.
1958 The Collection department was incorporated as the Merchants Association Collection Division, Inc.
1964 As the Association business grew, so did its office space. After several moves over the years in downtown Tampa, the Association purchased property for its headquarters building at 114 North Franklin Street and remained at that location until 1980.
1976 The Credit Bureau of Tampa files were automated using the data storage and retrieval services of Trans Union in Chicago. Trans Union is one of the three major data processing firms providing credit file services to some 175 credit bureaus nationwide. Participating credit bureaus have reciprocal access to more than 250 million consumer credit files.
1979 Extended service coverage beyond Tampa began with an aggressive expansion program that continued over many years to acquire other credit and collection bureaus around the State.
1980 On May 9, the Association occupied its new quarters, consisting of 20,000 square feet. The facility has a spacious employee lounge, a 90-seat auditorium, 12-seat conference room, and 30-seat boardroom. Two free parking lots are maintained for the convenience of members, visitors and staff.
1985 On April 9, at its Annual Meeting, the Merchants Association of Greater Tampa, Inc. rechartered as a not-for-profit corporation through the State of Florida and became the Merchants Association of Florida, Inc., by a vote of the membership.
1996 After a full year of studying alternatives, the Association purchased property in downtown Tampa for a possible new headquarters building. Former Merchants Chairman Jack Stefany and board member Will Bissett were instrumental in the acquisition of the building site. The property is across Kennedy Boulevard from the County Courthouse complex on the north and across East Street from the District School Building on the east.
1997 A state-of-the-art security system was installed for the protection of employees and visitors.
2002 The Association completed the sale of its credit database file to Trans Union Corporation.
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Copyright ©2009 Merchants Association of Florida, Inc. - All rights reserved.
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