The Merchants Association of Florida, Inc. was formed in December of 1911 and chartered by the Circuit Court of Hillsborough County on July 13, 1916.

The founding directors recognized the need for an organization through which mutual problems could be addressed and solutions sought. They felt that a Merchants Association would be 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. 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 cooperate in the furtherance of all things advantageous to its member”.

From the beginning, the Association has represented the interests of the merchants in many areas. The Association’s Directors and its members have been, and continue to be, active in civic, legislative, educational and regulatory matters of concern in Florida.

According to the by-laws of the Association, the members run it. There are no stockholders and membership is open to those businesses that meet the standards of the membership. Applications for membership are subject to careful review to insure that membership is confined to those businesses which qualify to purchase services and seek to promote the good of all the merchants and their community.

Merchants Association of Florida, Inc. is a corporation under the laws of the State of Florida and is run as a profit making organization, paying our obligations for State and Federal income and other taxes. Any profits generated have been used to expand upon membership services and provide community reinvestment support throughout the Association service area.