60th International Auctioneers Conference & Show – July 13-18, Overland Park, Kan.

Overland Park, Kan. July 6, 2009 – Auctioneers from the across the world will travel to Overland Park, Kan. for the 60th International Auctioneers Conference & Show next week. This year’s conference will take place July 13-18 at the Overland Park Convention Center. This year’s event will feature over a thousand auctioneers celebrating one of the world’s fastest growing and oldest industries. The conference is coordinated by the National Auctioneers Association (NAA). Headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., the NAA is the nation’s largest association dedicated to the auction profession and industry.

The NAA and its members will be celebrating six decades of service at this year’s conference. Highlights of the conference include over 40 educational seminars ranging from technology in the auction industry, to growth in the real estate auction market. One of the major highlights of this annual event is its competitions. Each year the NAA crowns the world’s top male and female auctioneers at its conference. Auctioneers from across the world will compete for the coveted International Auctioneer Championship (IAC) title. In addition to the IAC competition, conference attendees will enjoy the International Ringman Championship (IRC) and the International Junior Auctioneer Championship (IJAC). Conference attendees will also be provided with one of the largest trade shows in the history of the event.

To learn more about Conference & Show, visit: auctioneers.org/conference2009.aspx

In 2008, the live auction industry sold $268.4 billion in goods and services in the United States. The fastest growing sectors of the auction industry in 2008 were residential real estate and agricultural machinery and equipment auctions. With over $83 billion in gross sales, automobile auctions continue to lead the industry. The auction industry is vast and diverse with auctioneers specializing in a variety of markets, such as art/antiques, automobiles, machinery, real estate, personal property, and charity.

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About the NAA
Headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) represents the interests of approximately 4,400 auctioneers in the United States, Canada, and across the world. Founded in 1949, the mission of the NAA is to promote the auction method of marketing and enhancing the professionalism of its members through education and technology. To learn more about Auctioneers or to find an auctioneer, visit: www.auctioneers.org.

Members of National Auctioneers Association Elect New Leadership to Lead Growing Industry

July 10, 2008, Nashville, TN – The National Auctioneers Association (NAA), the largest professional organization for auctioneers, has elected a new slate of officers and board of directors to lead the organization for the coming year.  The election took place today during the 59th International Auctioneers Conference and Show at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel and Nashville Convention Center.
 
The 2008-2009 election results:
President – Randy A. Well, CAI, AARE, CES, GPPA, BAS, Post Falls, ID
President – Elect – Scott Musser, BAS, Kennewick, WA
Vice President – B. Mark Rogers, CAI, AARE, Mount Airy, NC
Director – J.J. Dower, CAI, AARE, Lafollette, TN
Director – Dennis R. Jackson, CAI, AARE, CES, Indianapolis, IN
Director – Randy Burdette, CAI, CES, Alderson, WV
Director – Shawn Terrel, CAI, AARE, Smithville, MO
 
With the passing of the gavel, NAA Past President Tommy Williams, CAI, will now take the Chairman of the Board position, which was held by Past President William L. Sheridan, CAI, AARE, GPPA. The following Directors terms expired this year: James F. Littlejohn, CAI, AARE, BAS, CES; John Reddish, CAI; Jeff Stokes, CAI; Jay E. Ziegler, CAI, AARE; and Rob Whitsit. The newly elected directors join a group of eight existing directors on the board. President will a appoint an honorary director to the board in the coming days. The honorary appointee will sit on the board for a one-year term. Scott Shuman, CAI of Eaton, Colorado will take over as chairman of the Education Institute Board of Trustees on Saturday afternoon. Scott will fill the Ex-Officio Director position held by Renee Jones, CAI, BAS, CES whose term expires this year. Kurt Aumann, CAI, ATS of Nokmis, Illinois will take over as the vice-chairman of the Education Institute. 

This morning members of the association voted overwhelming in favor of an amendment to the association’s bylaws adding another member of the Education Institutes Board of Trustees to the NAA Board of Directors. In addition to Scott Shuman joining the NAA’s Executive Committee, Kurt Aumann will now be a voting member of the NAA Board of Directors. 

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Auction World Publication to be Sold at Auction

National Auctioneers Association to Sell Twenty Year Old Auction Industry Publication

Nashville, TN, July 9, 2008 – During the 59^th International Auctioneers Conference and Show in Nashville, Tennessee, the leadership of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) announced the sale of its publication, Auction World, at auction. The NAA is a professional association dedicated to the advancement of the auction profession and industry. Auction World is a professional/trade publication which provides readers with insight into today’s auction industry and profession.  Considered to be the information source for auctioneer, the publication highlights national and global auction news and includes columns on a range of popular industry topics such as appraisals, business management, and auction law.

The publication will be sold through a “modified sealed bid” auction. The winning bidder will own the name and trademark rights to the publication, as well as the advertising contracts and subscription database. Bidders are required to submit a $10,000 bid deposit with their sealed bid and bids must be received at the NAA office in Overland Park, Kansas by Wednesday, July 30, 2008. The top three bidders will participate in a live, online auction on NAAlive.com on Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.

First published in May 1987 by Kiefer Publishing in Fergus Falls, MN, the publication was initially printed in full-color, glossy magazine format. The layout of the publication was later converted to a newspaper/tabloid format in 1992. Initially a subscription based publication; the National Auctioneers Association purchased Auction World in 2001 and distributes the newspaper to the members of the association. 

The NAA currently publishes a premier monthly magazine, The Auctioneer, and operates its website www.auctioneers.org.  The NAA Board of Directors recently chose to divest itself from Auction World to reallocate its resources to strengthening its web content and monthly magazine, The Auctioneer.

To view information on the sale of Auction World, visit www.auctionworldsale.com. The website includes a sample issue of Auction World, sealed bid forms, terms and conditions of the sale, and questions addressing the sale.  For additional information regarding the sale of Auction World, contact Kurt Kiefer at (218) 233-0000 or kurtkiefer@aol.com

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About the NAA

Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, the National Auctioneers Association represents the interests of approximately 5,000 auctioneers in the United States, Canada and across the world. Founded in 1949, the mission of the NAA is to promote the auction method of marketing and enhancing the professionalism of its members through education and technology.  In 2007, over $270.7 billion in goods and services were sold at auction. To learn more about Auctioneers, auctions and the NAA visit: www.auctioneers.org. 

National Auctioneers Association Awards Buncomb, Illinois Auctioneer International Ringman Championship Title

July 9, 2008, Nashville, TN – Alex Belcher of Buncomb, Illinois was awarded the prestigious title of International Ringman Champion at the 59th International Auctioneers Association Conference and Show in Nashville.  Twenty-two competitors participated in this year’s “ringman” competition. This is the second year that the IRC competition has taken place.    
 
A 1999 graduate of Missouri Auction School, Alex has been a full-time professional auctioneer for the past 9 years. Alex began his auction career with Joe Ollis Auction Service LLC out of auction school and purchased the business in 2007.  Mr. Belcher considers himself a “cars, cattle and real estate auctioneer” but his auction services also include estates and farm machinery and equipment. 
 
Alex displayed his talents and skills during the National Auctioneers Foundation Benefit Auction, where he along with other competitors were judged on their interaction with the audience and their ability to communicate bids to the auctioneer.
 
As the 2008 International Ringman Champion, Alex will receive a championship ring, $5,000 cash prize, trophy, and recognition as the world’s best “ringman”.
 
Alex resides in Buncomb with his wife, Kim, and their four year old daughter, Campbell.  
 
The five finalists in this year’s competition included: Wayne D. Thorn, Prattville, AL (First Runner-Up); Santo F. Grasso, Baltimore, MD (Second Runner-Up); Emmette Barran, CCIM, Decatur, AL; Phillip Richardson, Maynardville, TN.

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About the NAA

Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, the National Auctioneers Association represents the interests of approximately 5,000 auctioneers in the United States, Canada and across the world. Founded in 1949, the mission of the NAA is to promote the auction method of marketing and enhancing the professionalism of its members through education and technology.  In 2007, over $270.7 billion in goods and services were sold at auction. To learn more about Auctioneers, auctions and the NAA visit: www.auctioneers.org.

Interested in buying real estate at auction? Visit www.auctionmls.com.

NAA Inducts Four into Hall of Fame

John Roebuck, CAI, AARE – Memphis, Tennessee

Randy Ruhter – Hastings, Nebraska

Gary Ryther, CAI – Excelsior Springs, Missouri

The Late Wayne Stewart – Audubon, Iowa

July 12, 2008, Nashville, TN – The National Auctioneers Association (NAA) inducted four new members into its Hall of Fame: John Roebuck, CAI, AARE of Memphis, TN; Randy Ruhter of Hastings, NE; Gary Ryther, CAI of Excelsior Springs, MO; and the late Wayne Stewart of Audubon, IA. Inductees were honored at the 59^th International Auctioneers Conference and Show in Nashville. The four were honored at the annual President’s Gala.

John Roebuck, CAI, AARE – Memphis, Tennessee

The son of a Mississippi Delta sharecropper, John Roebuck has faced adversity and challenges head on throughout this life.  A natural born salesman, John was first introduced to the auction industry as a teenager and always had a desire to pursue the profession in the future. Years later after exploring other professions, John attended the Missouri Auction School in 1981. The founder and president of Roebuck Auctions in Memphis, TN, John has grown his initial small personal property auction company to a global real estate auction force with operations in Memphis, TN and Destin, FL.

The 51^st president of the National Auctioneers Association, John has held numerous leadership positions within both the NAA and the National Auctioneers Foundation. One of John’s most notable achievements as president of the NAA is the development of its partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Under his leadership and guidance, the NAA and its members have raised over $3 million in donations for the charity.

John resides in Memphis with his wife of twenty-seven years, Glenda, and they have four children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Randy Ruhter – Hastings, Nebraska

Native Nebraskan, Randy Ruhter found his passion for auctioneering at an early age after spending his childhood beside his father at the local livestock auctions. As a young boy, Randy’s neighbor, a local auctioneer, took him under his wing and taught him the art of the profession. A self-taught auctioneer, Randy began his career as an auctioneer in his early twenties.  After successfully organizing an estate auction for his grandfather with his brothers as a young man, the auction’s success gained area attention and the community asked that the auction continue. For 37 years, Randy and his family organized the community auction in rural Nebraska, drawing in over 5,000 bidders each year and as many as 13-14 auction rings running at one-time. 

Randy owns Ruhter Auction & Realty Inc. in Hastings, NE and specializes in estates, farm machinery and equipment, and real estate auctions. Randy recently expanded the business and opened a second branch in York, NE.  Randy conducts auctions throughout the Midwest and holds real estate licenses in Nebraska, Kansas and Wyoming. 

Randy was an NAA Director from 1996-1999 during which time he was the Membership Committee Chairman. He is a former member of the NAA Agri Business Council, Government Relations Committee and Gavel Club member in 1997 and 1998. Randy currently chairs the NAA Election Committee.  Randy has held previous leadership positions in the Nebraska Auctioneers Association. He was nominated Auctioneer of the Year by the Nebraska Auctioneers Association in 1989.

Randy resides in Prosser, Nebraska with his wife of forty years, Barbara. They have two children and three grandchildren.

Gary Ryther, CAI – Excelsior Springs, Missouri

Education is Gary Ryther’s passion when it comes to being an auctioneer. The Excelsior Springs, Missouri auctioneer has been an educator, motivator and mentor to auctioneers across the country throughout his forty-six year career in the industry.  Upon leaving the Air Force in 1959, Gary attended the Missouri Auction School and began his career as an auctioneer. Owner of Gary Ryther Auctioneers Inc., Gary’s professional achievements also includes ownership of a Sears Catalog Store in Excelsior Springs, MO.  Licensed in thirteen states, Mr. Ryther specializes in real estate, construction equipment, firearms, coins, industrial equipment, antiques, collectibles and estate auctions.

Gary has been an instructor with the NAA since 1975 and is a past director with the NAA. Mr. Ryther was inducted into the Missouri Professional Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame in 1989 and has held numerous leadership positions within the association including him being president in 1980.

Gary married his high school sweetheart, Ruthie, and had two children. In 1991, Ruthie passed away after a long battle with cancer. While Ruthie was ill, Gary left his businesses for two years to care for her. During this period, Gary almost lost his business.  Gary met his second wife when trying to “sell her” on selling her real estate at auction.  Gary married Gail in 1994 and they have been married for fourteen years.  Gary and Gail reside in Excelsior Springs, Missouri and together have five children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.   

Wayne Stewart, CAI (Deceased) – Audubon, Iowa

Serving the National Auctioneers Association as its president wasn’t a choice to Wayne Stewart, to Wayne it was his duty to serve the association and its members. Impassioned to give back to an association that in his words had done more for his career then words could describe, Mr. Stewart took over the reigns of the association in 1990.  The Audubon, Iowa auctioneer entered the profession after years of selling insurance and chose to expand his horizons and entered the profession to sell real estate and personal property at auction. Mr. Stewart graduated from Reppert School of Auctioneering in 1957. During his career as an auctioneer, Wayne conducted over 2,000 auctions with Southwest Iowa Real Estate Co.

In addition to serving as its president, Wayne also served the association as its vice president and director. Wayne was a member of the Iowa Auctioneers Association and an active member of the local, state and National Association of Realtors.

Education was essential to Mr. Stewart. In addition to being an instructor for the NAA, Wayne was an instructor for eight state auctioneer associations, the Iowa Association of Realtors, and taught at Mason City College of Auctioneering.

Ephrata, Washington Youth Wins International Junior Auctioneer Championship Title Jacob Barth, 14, 2008 IJAC Champion

July 11, 2008, Nashville, TN – Ten energetic and talented youth competed in the 2^nd Annual International Junior Auctioneer Championship this week.  Three finalists competed this morning for the prestigious title of the world’s best Junior Auctioneer: Jacob Barth, 14, Ephrata, WA; Emily R. Wears, 18, Solon, IA (First Runner-Up); and Eloisa Garcia, 17, Belen, NM (Second Runner-Up). [

A 9^th grade student at Quincy High School, Jacob learned to auction at the age of nine.  Jacob began selling with his grandfather, Chuck Yarbro Sr., and his uncle, Chuck Yarbro Jr., at the age of eleven. Jacob assists his family’s business, Chuck Yarbro Auctioneers and Real Estate Services LLC, in Moses Lake, WA. Jacob has experience in farm machinery and benefit auctions.  Jacob is the son of Todd and Lisa Barth. 

When Jacob isn’t auctioneering, he enjoys football and operates a livestock business with his siblings.

“I’ve learned that when you compete in a competition, you practice and work to enhance your skills every time,” said Jacob Barth. “Competitions like this year’s IAC and last year’s competition has made me a much better auctioneer.”

The IJAC is open to youth between the ages of 12 and 18. Jacob will receive a $1,000 cash prize, trophy and complimentary registration into the adult division of the International Auctioneer Championship when he meets the minimum age requirement.  The first runner-up, Emily R. Wears, will receive a $500 cash prize and second runner-up, Eloisa Garcia, will receive a cash prize of $250.  All of this year’s participants received a medallion and most importantly, an invaluable experience competing against other elite junior level auctioneers.

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About the NAA

Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, the National Auctioneers Association represents the interests of approximately 5,000 auctioneers in the United States, Canada and across the world. Founded in 1949, the mission of the NAA is to promote the auction method of marketing and enhancing the professionalism of its members through education and technology.  In 2007, over $270.7 billion in goods and services were sold at auction. To learn more about Auctioneers, auctions and the NAA visit: www.auctioneers.org.

Interested in buying real estate at auction? Visit www.auctionmls.com.

2008 International Auctioneers Championship Winners C.D. “Butch” Booker and Jodi L. Sweeney

June 11, 2008, Nashville, TN – C.D. “Butch” Booker of Colfax, Washington and Jodi L. Sweeney of Waukon, Iowa were announced the winners of the 2008 International Auctioneers Championship at the 59^th International Auctioneers Conference and Show in Nashville, Tennessee.

This year’s competition had seventy-four men and twenty-two women compete for the coveted title. Each champion received a cash prize of $10,000, a trophy and will now represent the National Auctioneers Association as its spokespeople throughout the year. The competitors were judged on their presentation, chant, voice quality, body language and other elements of effective auctioneering. There was also an interview segment of the competition that participants were judged on.

C.D. “Butch” Booker

Second generation auctioneer C.D. “Butch” Booker is all too familiar with the IAC competition. Since 1993, Butch has competed in every IAC competition and has 8 trophies to show for it. This year, Butch will proudly add the IAC Championship trophy to his collection of four first runner-up and four second runner-up IAC trophies. The owner of Kincaid Real Estate Company in Colfax, Washington, Butch is also an active auctioneer in his family auction business, Booker Auction Company. Butch has conducted over 2,500 auctions in 16 states. Mr. Booker specializes in industrial and farm machinery, real estate and purebred livestock auctions.

Upon being awarded his trophy, Butch invited his son, Cotton, to the stage to assist him in the IAC Champion auction. With his son standing by his side, Butch said, “When I was a little boy, my friends father’s played catch or fished with them. My dad took me to auctions. My son does the same with me. Auctions are our life. It’s what we do for a living. It’s what we love”.

Butch and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Colfax, Washington and have a 6 year old son, Cotton. Butch is the son of the late NAA Hall of Fame inductee D.L. Booker and Colleen Booker.

Jodi L. Sweeney

Third generation auctioneer Jodi L. Sweeney was born to be an auctioneer. At the age of 21 years, Jodi L. Sweeney is an impressive auctioneer. Raised in the auction house, Jodi started helping with the family auctions at the age of six and began selling at age nineteen. Jodi specializes in farm machinery, real estate and antique auctions. She holds a real estate salesperson license in the state of Iowa. In August of 2007, Jodi was the first female to win the Iowa Auctioneers Association State Bid Calling Contest.

“This year’s competition was filled with an excellent field of competitors,” said Jodi Sweeney. “I was shocked and amazed to have won this year’s competition and I am truly honored to be this year’s champion.”

Jodi is currently completing her last year of college and will graduate in May. Jodi is a member of the Iowa Auctioneers Association and lifetime member of the NAA.

IAC Men’s Division Winner – C.D. “Butch” Booker, Colfax, Washington

First Runner-Up – Joseph M. Mast, Millersburg, Ohio

Second Runner-Up – Eli Detweiler Jr., CAI, Ruffin, North Carolina

IAC Women’s Division Winner – Jodi L. Sweeney, Waukon, Iowa

First Runner-Up – Patti Baldini-Martin, CAI, CES, Hendersonville, Tennessee

Second Runner-Up – Terri Walker, CAI, BAS, CES, Memphis, Tennessee

Men’s Division Finalists:

CD “Butch” Booker – Colfax, WA

Eli Detweiler Jr., CAI – Ruffin, NC

Casey Enlow – Sapulpa, OK

Richard (TJ) Freije – Clayton, IN

Jerry E. King, CAI – Fletcher, NC

Joey Thomas Martin – Pelzer, SC

Joseph M. Mast – Millersburg, OH

Craig Meier – Ennis, TX

Russ Moravec – David City, NE

Trev Moravec – David City, NE

Troy Orr – Jamestown, ND

Kyle Shobe – Lewistown, MT

Heath Spracklen – Pana, IL

Andrew White – Ashland, OH

Mark Younger – Maryville, MO

Women’s Division Finalists:

Patti Baldini, CAI, CES – Hendersonville, TN

Gwen C. Bryant, CAI, AARE, CES – Florence, SC

Angie S. Meier – Ennis, TX

Jodi L. Sweeney – Waukon, IA

Donna Tuttle – Mio, MI

Terri Walker, CAI, BAS, CES – Memphis, TN

Lynne Zink, CAI, CES, CAGA – Bel Air, MD

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About the NAA

Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) represents the interests of almost 5,000 auctioneers in the United States, Canada and across the world. Founded in 1949, the mission of the NAA is to promote the auction method of marketing and enhancing the professionalism of its members. In 2007, the auction industry grew by 5.3% with over $270 billion in goods and services sold at live auction. To learn more about Auctioneers, auctions and the NAA visit: www.auctioneers.org.

President Tommy Williams Announces Hiring of NAA CEO Hannes Combest, CAE

Overland Park, Kan. May 1, 2008 – NAA President Tommy Williams, CAI, announced before the staff of the National Auctioneers Association today the hiring of Hannes Combest, CAE.  Mrs. Combest will take over the roles and responsibilities as the NAA’s new Chief Executive Officer on June 16, 2008. Current NAA CEO Bob Shively will be departing from his post as the association’s executive officer of nine years in August.

An established member of the association management community, Hannes Combest will join the NAA after serving the past twelve years as the Managing Director of Member Programs with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Headquartered in Lawrence, Kansas, the GCSAA is the top professional association for men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. The association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 members in 72 countries.  Prior to joining the GCSAA, Hannes was a professor of journalism at Haskell Indian Nations University and assistant to the university’s chancellor for 10 years.

A native of Meridian, Mississippi, Hannes is an alumnus of the University of Kansas and Baker University. Mrs. Combest holds a degree in journalism, as well as a Masters degree in Science and Management. Mrs. Combest earned the prestigious Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 2001.  Hannes is a past president of the Kansas City Society of Association Executives (KCSAE) and currently sits on the Research Committee of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

“The NAA Board of Directors and I were overwhelmed by the caliber and quality of candidates who sought this position,” said NAA President Tommy Williams, CAI. “However, the Board’s unanimous vote in support of Hannes on first round of voting is a true testament to her level of experience, qualifications and passion for the association industry.  I am anxious to see what the future holds for the NAA and its members under the careful watch and leadership of Hannes.”

Mrs. Combest addressed and introduced herself to members of the NAA staff this morning and discussed her vision for the future of the NAA.  NAA CEO Bob Shively will remain a member of the NAA team through the 2008 Conference and Show and assist Mrs. Combest in her transition to the NAA.

Hannes and her husband, Mike, reside in Lawrence, Kansas. Married for thirty years, Hannes and Mike have four children and five grandchildren.

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About the NAA

Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, the National Auctioneers Association represents the interests of approximately 6,000 auctioneers in the United States, Canada and across the world. Founded in 1949, the mission of the NAA is to promote the auction method of marketing and enhancing the professionalism of its members through education and technology.  In 2007, over $270.7 billion in goods and services were sold at auction. To learn more about Auctioneers, auctions and the NAA visit: www.auctioneers.org.

Auction Industry Reports Slower Growth in First Quarter of 2008

Overland Park, Kan., May 1, 2008 – The National Auctioneers Association recently announced the results of its first quarter survey of Auctioneers throughout the United States.  The report concluded that 33% of Auctioneers reported an increase in gross sales receipts during the first quarter of 2008. In the first quarter of 2007, respondents reported an increase of 34%.  The overall net increase in gross sales revenue for live auctions conducted during the first quarter of the year compared to last year was 3.25%.

In the first quarter of 2007, 62% of respondents reported that they believed they would see an increase in annual revenue, while only 56% of respondents in the first quarter of 2008 agreed with this statement. Thirty-three percent of respondents reported that they conducted more auctions in Q1 2008, then during the same time period in 2007. Thirty-three percent of respondents reported that they conducted fewer auctions in Q1 2008 compared to Q1 2007. Comparable numbers from Q1 2007 were 30% (More Auctions) and 19% (Fewer Auctions). The average number of auctions conducted during Q1 2008 was 19.

The rate of growth in residential real estate auction revenue in the first quarter of 2008 has decreased slightly compared to Q1 2007. Estimated growth of residential real estate auction revenue in Q1 2007 was 3.2%. Q1 2008 figures displayed a decrease of -3.5%. Revenue from agricultural and land real estate auctions increased slightly during Q1 2008 to 1.7%. Commercial and industrial real estate auction revenue decreased slightly to -1.6%.

“While the winter months are traditionally difficult months to sell real estate and the fears of a recession and a troubled economy have created concern among consumers, the auction industry continues to grow in the majority of its sectors,” said NAA President Tommy Williams, CAI. “We anticipate the second quarter reports to show significant growth in real estate auctions as more and more companies are reporting increases in business.”

If the current tread holds, initial projections conclude that the live auction industry will sell approximately $278.8 billion in goods and services in 2008, compared to $270.7 billion in 2007.

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About the NAA

Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, the National Auctioneers Association represents the interests of approximately 6,000 auctioneers in the United States, Canada and across the world. Founded in 1949, the mission of the NAA is to promote the auction method of marketing and enhancing the professionalism of its members through education and technology.  In 2007, over $270.7 billion in goods and services were sold at auction. To learn more about Auctioneers, auctions and the NAA visit: www.auctioneers.org.

National Auctioneers Day – Saturday, April 19, 2008

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. –(BUSINESS WIRE)–The third Saturday of April marks a special day in the lives of Auctioneers throughout the United States, National Auctioneers Day. National Auctioneers Day will be recognized and celebrated by professional Auctioneers on Saturday, April 19, 2008.

The last bastion of the competitive free enterprise system, auctions and the age-old profession of auctioneering continues to thrive and grow in today’s economy. In 2007, the live auction industry sold over $270.7 billion in goods and services at auction, an increase of 5.3% from 2006. Consumers enjoy auctions because they are fast, efficient and most importantly, fun. Auctioneers celebrate this annual event each year by volunteering their professional auctioneering services to charitable organizations and worthy local causes in their community.

“National Auctioneers Day is day when Auctioneers express their gratitude to the communities they serve by volunteering their services to charity,” said NAA President and Bixby, Oklahoma Auctioneer Tommy Williams, CAI. “Whether it is hosting an “Auction for Hope” benefit auction for patients of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or helping a local charity or high school with its fundraising drive; National Auctioneers Day is a day when Auctioneers give back and give thanks.”

A 2004 study by Harris Interactive found the following facts about auctions:

-97% of attendees feel auctions are fun

-92% have a favorable impression of Auctioneers

-75% of attendees bring the whole family when they attend an auction

-Consumers will travel 1.3 hours to attend an auction

From the avid weekend auction fan, to the first-time buyer, the National Auctioneers Association and its members encourage consumers to join them at an auction on Saturday, April 19, 2008 and celebrate National Auctioneers Day.

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About the NAA

Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, the National Auctioneers Association represents the interests of approximately 6,000 auctioneers in the United States, Canada and across the world. Founded in 1949, the mission of the NAA is to promote the auction method of marketing and enhancing the professionalism of its members through education and technology. To learn more about Auctioneers, auctions and the NAA visit: www.auctioneers.org.