MyGMA - the Guilford Merchants Association

The Association was formed in February, 1906, as the Greensboro Merchants Association. The old organization published, at irregular intervals, "Books of Ratings" which listed individuals by name and assigned each a code letter designating how the debtors met their obligations. These books were supplemented by monthly editions which were incorporated into a yearly publication.

In February, 1906, however, a stricter local organization was set up. In quoting from its constitution and bylaws, it said the Association was to "establish and conduct a Central Bureau of Credits for the collection from and dissemination among its members of information concerning the responsibility and reliability of persons seeking credit; to establish and maintain a rating system and report...the delinquent debtors against whom claims have been placed for collection with the corporation."

In a 1941 interview, the first president of the Association, Mr. J. M. Hendrix, was asked, "What in your opinion was the greatest contribution of the newly-formed Association in the commercial life of the city?" Mr. Hendrix stated that the organization was instrumental in building a spirit of fellowship and friendship among the business people of the city which was nonexistent before its formation. "Back in the gay nineties, each merchant regarded every other merchant as a rascal and a scoundrel. The word 'ethics' was still in the dictionary, but its meaning had never been looked up. If you would misrepresent the goods of your competitor and create public distrust, it was considered fine business. Many merchants up and down the street of the struggling village known as Greensboro were not on speaking terms. If a customer owed a merchant and wouldn't pay, it was quite all right to recommend the customer as a good risk to some other merchant. In fact, it got so that when a customer was said to be a good risk, it was a question of whether to trust the merchant doing the recommending instead of the customer for the credit." Mr. Hendrix's final remarks were, "Unless you lived back in the days when a merchant was regarded by competitors and the public alike with distrust and suspicion, you cannot comprehend the high standards of business ethics of merchandising which we enjoy today."

In 1948, the structure of the organization changed. The Merchants Association transferred its credit exchange operations to a new corporation, the Credit Bureau of Greater Greensboro, Inc. This new corporation began operating the Credit Bureau Reporting and Collection Division. The creation of this new structure was necessitated in order for the Merchants Association to continue as a nonprofit organization, providing services and benefits to its members. Due to corporate growth and acquisitions, FirstPoint, Inc., was formed in 2001 as a holding company designed to maximize operating synergies and technology among the Credit Bureau and its for-profit subsidiaries.

The organization, as it was incorporated in 1906, has now surpassed 100 years of operation. Its list of officers and directors since inception constitutes a "Who's Who" of the business community of Guilford County. The Association has moved only five times, but has always had its heart in downtown Greensboro. The first office was in the second-story quarters of the 200 block of South Elm Street, then in the Guilford Building upstairs (prior to the time the elevators were installed). From there, the move was to 212 Commerce Street, and then to 210 West Friendly Avenue. In 1983, GMA moved to its present location, 225 Commerce Place.

During the 1950s and 60s, the expansion of the Greensboro retailing community, along with those in cities across the United States, shifted from "downtown Greensboro" to suburban areas. Downtown merchants felt that this trend was destroying the city's business community and dividing customers. They believed these suburban merchants were traitors, especially since some of them were staying open at night and on Sundays! This struggle between "city" and suburban merchants caused concern in associations around the country - - trying to keep all merchants united in their efforts to build greater communities in the cities in which they were located.

However, it was not until the early seventies that merchants realized that they needed a common bond, that they needed unity and that it was economically and legislatively imperative that all businesses join together for their mutual benefit.

The original downtown merchants have been joined by other Triad businesses representing a diverse group of industries including retail, hospitality, business-to-business, consumer services, manufacturing, non-profit and government to comprise one of the strongest merchants associations in the country. In 2008, GMA merged with the High Point Merchants Association. In 2009, the Greensboro Merchants Association changed its name to the Guilford Merchants Association to reflect is broader concentrated membership base. GMA has served as a model for many merchants trade associations throughout the area. GMA members have realized the necessity of binding together for a strong business community. The influence of the Association, its officers and directors, and particularly its members has been felt by local, state and national governments. For the consumer, it has meant more stable business, social and economic well-being for everyone.

Little has changed in your Association's constitution and bylaws and its general purposes proposed by its charter in 1906. Its purposes remain the same -- to serve its members and to represent the community in the best possible light. Along with community activist issues, over the years GMA has created a host of networking, marketing, training and crime prevention services to help its members grow and prosper. For over 100 years, GMA has been where business and resources join together.

2013 New Member Application Packet

Out of all the places my business could be, GMA is the one of choice. I've met so many wonderful clients and friends while building a profitable business. If you are not taking advantage of the GMA opportunity you are missing the boat.

Mike Murray
President
New Leaf Graphics

GMA has been the best resource for me after moving to Greensboro in the Fall of 2010. I have met more quality contacts and received more introduction leads through GMA than any other membership/ network association. Our business has grown through referrals and new business friendships. I will continue with and help GMA grow in any way I can.

Ron Wiley
Manager of Sales & Marketing
Applied Construction Techonology, Inc

If you have the right people in the right roles in your organization, there isn't a better time to provide your most valuable assets with professional training and development and a forum to network and market your business. Training and marketing are not an expense, they are an investment in the future of your business. GMA offers many venues to make this kind of an investment in your future.

Abby Donnelly
Partner
Sandler Training