Several members of the Auctioneers Association of Maryland recently attended the National Auctioneers Association Sixtieth International Auctioneers Conference and Show held in Overland Park, Kansas, July 13 through July 18.  The event provided auctioneers from across the United States and abroad with a variety of programs and events to enhance the auction method of selling.

Participants from the Auctioneers Association of Maryland included Jim Cochran (J.G. Cochran Auctioneers and Associates, Boonsboro); Paul Metzger (Metzger’s Auction Service, Joppa); Norman Hunter (Hunter’s Auction Service, Port Deposit); Denny Stouffer (Stouffer’s Auction & Real Estate, Smithsburg); Sam Grasso (Professional Ringman, Baltimore); Zach Shelley (Auctioneer, Havre de Grace); and Ronald Farrell (Auctioneer, Mechanicsville).

Some of the conference programs included leadership seminars, ethics, business security, bid-calling workshops, contract development, networking, intellectual property, commercial real estate, antique sales, sales and marketing, business liquidations, technology as well as the opportunity to attend the largest auctioneering-related trade show in the United States.

In addition, several pre-conference certification courses were also provided including:  Accredited Auctioneer Real Estate; Graduate Personal Property Appraiser; Auction Technology Specialist; Benefit Auctioneer Specialist; Certified Estate Specialist; and Professional Ringman's Institute.

Ronald Farrell

Farrell, successfully completed the Benefit Auction Specialist course designed to teach the planning techniques that create successful benefit auctions including item acquisition, audience development/motivation, revenue generators, contracts, and public relations.

"The conference and show was filled with a variety of seminars that were extremely helpful for individuals just getting started in the business as well as for those that have been in the industry for some time.  However, the most exciting part of the conference was the opportunity to see, hear and learn from world champion auctioneers," said Farrell.

The conference included some live auctioneering and the highlights of the conference were the International Ringman’s Championship, the International Junior Auctioneer Championship and the coveted International Auctioneer Championship.

Sam Grasso competed in the International Ringman’s Championship and was awarded second runner-up.  Zach Shelley competed in the extremely competitive International Auctioneering Contest and was a finalist in the overall competition.  Both competitions were conducted and judged in a “live” auction setting.

The National Auctioneers Association represents more than 4,400 auctioneers in the U.S., Canada, and around the world. The organization promotes the auction method of marketing and strives to enhance the professionalism of its members through education and technology.