The Official Professional Association of Commercial Agents holds the status of a Public Law Corporation, corresponding to the representation, coordination, management and defense of the professional interests of all its members, whatever the nature and type of contract that binds them to their principal. . It will have its own economy in the development of its management.
The College of Valencia, will be related to the State Administration, in the matters of its competence, through the Ministry of Economy and Commerce through the established regulatory conduit and, as a member of the Valencian Council of Commercial Agents, with the Consellería de Valencia. Industry, Commerce and Tourism, or the one that was competent in the matter.
A bit of History
A bit of History
Our profession has had, up to that moment, an endless number of denominations, derived from the variety of functions that concern us and that our profession is as old as Commerce and therefore as old as humanity. In many of the ancient civilizations such as Sumer, Egypt, Babylon … already appear, along with the figure of the “merchant”, the “agents”, the “mediators” and the “contracts on commission”. Figures intimately linked to the profession of today called Commercial Agent.
Subsequently, both in Greece and Rome continues to appear the figure of the mediator, calling “instigator” who was responsible for performing some management on behalf of otro.Los “mediating agents” become more important in the Middle Ages, to the extent of reaching the consideration of public officials and the obligatory nature of their intervention in commercial contracts, for the validity of these. In Spain, one of the first legal provisions on the matter, appears in The Parties of Alfonso X El Sabio (1221/1284) which explains the powers of the aforementioned mediators. The original name of these Games was “Book of Laws”
In the book of the “Consolat de Mar”, are contemplated, with enough extension, the faculties and obligations of the leaders immersed in the business of the sea. In Valencia special mention is made of the office of “corridor” in the Code “Libro de Almotacén “, ordered by the General Council of the City in 1549. Among the functions of the” mostaçat “the control of weight, quantity and measure, were paramount and their practices and figures, both commercial and legal, crossed borders and extended beyond the Crown of Aragon. They also launched the “bill of exchange” as a document that set a payment in date and place.
The “corridor” is a kind of “mediating agent” which is classified by its specialization in the subjects it deals with. So it turns out that there are: trade brokers, brokers, merchants and exchange brokers and stockbrokers, also called “ear brokers.”, As it appears in “Els Furs.” The aforementioned Book of the Consolat de Mar it continued in use until the implementation of the Commercial Code of 1829, in which “commission agents” and “trade brokers” are repeatedly mentioned as a fundamental part in the development of commerce in general.
In 1913 the Unión Gremial was created, a prestigious Valencian economic entity that continues the glorious tradition of the Valencian Guilds. Among these stands out the Guild of Commissioners of Samples.
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History of our Association
History of our Asociation
With the Royal Decree of January 8, 1926 that establishes the compulsory licensing of Commercial Agents, begins the career of the Official Professional Association of Commercial Agents of Valencia. On July 17, 1926 and at the registered office of the extinct General Association of Representatives and Brokers of Valencia, the Extraordinary General Meeting was held for the constitution of the Official College of Commercial Agents. Since then the School has had 5 offices in the city From Valencia:
- Emilio Castelar Square, 19
- Avda. Navarro Reverter, 6
- Calle Colon, 11 (corner Pascual y Genis)
- Calle Lauria, 7
- Calle Cronista Carreres, 5 (in the latter from 1992 to the present)In the aforementioned Royal Decree the functions and importance of this profession are clearly explained in the expository part: “Commercial Agents are the indispensable mediators between production and Commerce, because they facilitate industrial expansion, conquer and sustain markets, orient to the consumer and propel the exchange “
From the commitment of this group arises in 1917 the first Exhibition Fair of Valencia that was held in the Estación del Norte, which still did not work as such, and the courtyard of the Imperial College of Children of San Vicente Ferrer, with a participation of 148 exhibitors . In the successive editions of the International Sample Fair, the work of the Commercial Agents is of great importance, since with their work it is possible that a large number of Spanish manufacturers attend them.
In recognition of this work was held, within the events of the International Fair, the Day of the Commercial Agent with great splendor and attending the main authorities. A commercial agent of the corresponding sector participates in the Committee of each of the current monographic Trade Fairs. The stable office of the Association in the Feria Valencia Mall is available to the Agents in each Contest and facilitates free access to all events.
Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Association, the sculptor Esteve Edo created an impressive allegorical figure of a Commercial Agent, who greets and accompanies all the visitors of the Fair since it is located in the center of the same access to the Pavilions. It comes to be demonstrated with all that the profession of Commercial Agent is not a product of improvisation, but has deep roots, proven existence and age.
Many have been the different names that this unique profession has had over the years, but there is no doubt that its work has been and is something inherent to the Trade itself, which is one of the important ways that humans have to relate. all of this, born entrepreneurs, we reinvent ourselves as society evolves, and even more as the driving force behind the necessary and welcome innovations.
Recovering the historical thread and to document the definitive beginning of the School, which last year celebrated its 90th anniversary, we will say who formed the first Governing Board:
- President Vicente Ribarrocha y Martínez
- Vice President Roberto Blanquer Mora
- Treasurer Miguel Carceller Artés
- Accountant Francisco Martínez Vivas
- Secretary José Gutiérrez Martín
- First Vocal Federico Monroig González
- Second Vocal Pascual Escrivá Blasco
- Third Vocal Third Enrique Soriano Grau
- Quarter Vocal Enrique Silvestre Puertas
- Fifth Vocal Agustín Abellán Marin
- Sixth Vocal Francisco Catalá Rubio
Seventh Vocal Manuel Sempere Silvestre
The list of the first founding members totals 214 agents, but at the end of 1926 there were already 480 registered. In 1927 were constituted in 14 specialized sections, which were: Cereals and Legumes, Oil and Fats, Chemical Products, Colonial, Rices, Fabrics and Parcel, Typewriters, Flour, Wines and the like, Hardware, Electrical Material. It is important to situate ourselves in time and know what products were offered for sale, however much they are now curious. We can also observe how in order to work and management of the College, the Work Commissions are a constant work and already in 1932 had a name and director of those that were in operation:
- Delegations Salvador Ibarra Asensi
- Against the clandestine Alejandro Tello Navarro
- Professional culture José Grifol Esteve
- Files Federico Monroig Gonzalbo
- Contentious Manuel Sempere Silvestre
- Lonja Enrique Soriano Grau
- Hacienda Manuel Martínez Rodríguez and Luís Camps Serra
- Personal Salvador Ibarra Asensi
- Foreign Affairs Ramon Codes Ibáñez
- “Corporate Life” Francisco Doñate Gascón
- In the first section we see that the presence of the School in the different regions was a fact. So in 1961 there were Delegations in Alzira, Cullera, Gandia, Xativa, Onteniente, Utiel Requena, the Camp de Morvedre and the Port.
As it is normal and due to the social presence, the School is having connection and belonging in the institutions. Thus, as early as 1933, he represented us as a delegate: - In “Unión Ibero-Americana”, Rafael Palau Bañón.
- In “Fomento de Turismo” and “Feria Muestrario”, Manuel Sempere Silvestre.
- In “Centro de Estudios Económicos Valencianos”, Enrique Soriano Grau.
- In “Official Chamber of Commerce of Valencia”, Francisco Doñate Gascón.
Throughout 90 years of life, the Corporation has been chaired by:
- 1926 VICENTE RIBARROCHA MARTINEZ
- 1929 JOSE GUTIERREZ MARTIN
- 1931 RAMON CODES IBAÑEZ
- 1934 IGNACIO COCO AND COCO
- 1941 JOSE GUTIERREZ MARTIN
- 1955 JUAN PERIS ALMENAR
- 1958 RAMON SANFELIPE CASES
- 1980 GONZALO EBRI FERRE
- 1986 JOSE MOLTO CALATAYUD
- 2004 ANTONIO SORIANO AZNAR
All of them have an image painted in oil in the Board Room of the College and there is the curious case that the image of D. Francisco Doñate Gascon is also hung, although he was never President of the College, from the Vice Presidency and the Board of the same, developed actions that gave luster to the School, considering that he was a prohombre of the Valencian commercial association.
The biography of personalities who have proudly carried the title of Commercial Agent is very long and varied. In all times and systems of government, the voice of commercial agents has sounded and been heard, because of the large number of commercial transactions that pass through our hands or are directly promoted by collegiate members.
Names such as Julio de Miguel and Martinez de Bujanda are also those of an Illustrious Commercial Agent, such as José Luís Soto Ros from Ursinos, Gonzalo Èbri Ferre, Miguel Moreno Roca, Vicente González Lizondo, Ricardo Pérez Casado, Antonio López Roca, Francisco Martínez Bermell, Francisco Puchol Quixal, Vicent R. Calatayud, Vicente Èbri Martínez … and many others who have taken the name of the School to other instances.
This is the current Governing Board.
- President Carlos Requena Vitales
- Vice PresidentAntonia Alonso Rubio
- Secretary José Francisco Orero Pardo
- Treasurer Jorge Amorós Alepuz
- First Vocal Carlos M. Rosillo Torres
- Second Vocal Vicent R. Calatayud Tortosa
- Third Vocal Victoria Gil Furió
- Fourth Vocal Antonio Soriano Aznar
The Assopciation counts on the advice of D. Vicent Viguer Espert and D. Miguel Villanova Barahona, and the legal guide of D. Pasqual Chulià March.
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Contribution of the Association to Society
Contribution of the Association to Society
The Valencian people have always known how to recognize the action of commercial agents, because of their natural and specific functions because their figure is usually in some member of any family, because we are open and participative people. But it is not negligible what the Association of Commercial Agents has contributed to the Society, highlighting the work of patronage in art, culture and knowledge, specifically providing scholarships for study, making a painting contest that launches outstanding figures and today It has an invaluable pinacoteca, and a long etcetera.
His sales school has formed, in all senses, a multitude of members. We must also highlight the large number of Valencians who live and enjoy a decent home, thanks to the different cooperatives of “Cheap Houses of Commercial Agents, employees and family members”.
Since, in 1930, according to Enrique Crespo, the different promotions of singular buildings, in which cooperation achieved unprecedented prices and advantages, and in times when access to decent and comfortable housing was highly difficult. Each new promotion was assigned a letter.
The A is the building of General Sanmartín, Castellón and Gran Vía, on a plot of 5,870 meters. I leave an interior patio, at some time a bus station, today it is a public parking lot.
“Campo Olivar” was the brilliant action of the letter B, after the war.
The D, known as “FERCA” to the older ones will remind you of the pool and summer terrace in an imposing building at the end of the Gran Via of Fernando el Católico, when the Ademuz bridge was not designed.
The E is the only one built in Valencia in the 50s that has recently been collected in the selective Iberian DOCOMOMO Registry, built on a block of the Second Ensanche of Valencia, located near the old bed of the Turia river.
Long is the list, more than half an alphabet and the social benefit that I bring to Valencia making us move forward in this way of adding corporate. We could continue talking about the Free Zone of the Port, the summer colonies, the bonuses to get the first cars in the fifties, etc.
The recognition of our seniors is reflected in the creation of the “Collegiate Emeritus” to continue gathering those who never stop feeling commercial agents, managing cultural and recreational activities. It is essential to remember the two European Sales Conferences, which were brought to Valencia, to renowned personalities of the sale, both Spanish and foreign.
In the first Congress and thanks to Professor D. Manuel Broseta Pont, who was legal advisor of the College, it was possible to elaborate an “agency contract” that protected and regulated the functions of the commercial agency. In today’s globalization and technology have reduced the census. Going to sell and plant long term is a heroic thing, so we will have to look for ways to support it if we want the new generations to embark on this path. From the Assoziation we will keep the green flag of hope, and together with the formation and Internationalization help this profession continue to be the engine of the economy.
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the association currently
The Association currently
Today we live in a global world that changes at great speed. The College knows that the key is in adapting to change, we must know how to manage it and anticipate what is to come, anticipate the future and prepare for the continuous changes. For this, the School has opted for three lines of action that are all linked together: Innovation, internationalization and training.
The innovation for the commercial agent involves incorporating new products and services to represent, use new technologies and new processes, new organizational forms, new business models, in short, innovation must be assumed as a natural process in our way of working, as a business culture, this in turn will facilitate the generation of innovative ideas, some of which will be transformed into successful projects. In this sense the College created the Commission for Innovation and Competitiveness, a commission in which creativity and innovation are key to generating new ideas that we incorporate both for the better functioning of the School and for the colleges to adapt them in their day to day. It has been shown that where some see crisis, others see opportunities.
Internationalization is a natural process in a global world. A commercial agent must have a global mentality to know how to look for opportunities where they are, also knowing that the risks are there and that the value chains are continuously changing. This is the future that society will demand of us and we have to be prepared to face it. To this end, the College has an Internationalization Commission that offers many services to members interested in selling in other countries, facilitating access to other markets.
On the other hand, to the companies of the Valencian textile, the School offers them the necessary tools to find commercial agents in all the countries in which the School has the possibility to do it by its contacts. The School, through the General Council of Commercial Agents de España (CGAC) is integrated into the IUCAB, International Union of Commercial Agents and Brokers, an umbrella organization of the most important national associations in Europe and the US.
The formation of the person is vital for the good development of the business. The future commercial agents must have a good adequate training so that the talent emerges and they can use it conveniently in their functions. To this end, the Association has a Training Committee that works to offer a wide range of courses and technical seminars that serve for commercial agents to acquire the knowledge and skills needed in all areas to develop their work efficiently. The Association teaches courses in Digital Marketing, Excel Business, Leadership and Coaching among many others.
Do not forget the important work done by the Commission of Association Services and the Commission of Fairs. Today the Associated have an important portfolio of services that they use frequently in their day to day, such as: cheaper fuel, important advantages with financial institutions, discounts in hotels throughout Europe, discounts on rental cars, repair shops network of cars with special discounts, use of the facilities of the European Commercial Agents Associations as office to carry out their work, access to the European job exchange and free tickets to the main Fairs with which we have an agreement and a long etc. of services.
Associates greatly value the Legal Service, Labor Advisor, Tax Advisor, Insurance Advisor and Professional Activity Risk Advisor, they also value access to company databases and business reports.
The Fair Commission offers all the services that the agents need when they attend the fairs. The most valued are free tickets and free parking tickets.
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Future of Association
The Future of Association
The Association will face the new challenges of a society in permanent change and will continue to value the profession of the commercial agent. For this, he will use all the means and tools at his disposal. Today we are already making a new Web Portal integrated with an ERP and with other platforms and applications that will allow the members to access more services and content. This website will become a very effective and indispensable management and communication tool for the collegiate.
Nowadays, the Association is highly recognized by all the institutions and organizations of the Valencian Community for the important work it has been doing with the commercial agents and also in favor of the Valencian textile companies, offering their search services for commercial agents, both national level as international.
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