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Michigan Auctioneers Gather for Annual Conference in Bay City
Auctioneers gathered January 29 - February 2 for the Michigan State Auctioneers Association Annual Conference. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow kept auctioneers dedicated to their industry and their education from attending this fantastic conference. Approximately 150 Auctioneers, support staff, families & exhibitors gathered for Education, Fellowship and Fun at the 2008 Michigan State Auctioneers Association 57 th Annual Conference. This year’s event was held at the Doubletree Hotel Riverfront in Bay City, Michigan. The conference provides attendees with numerous opportunities to network with fellow auctioneers and auction firms, learn from experts, compete with their marketing designs and test their talent in the Bid Calling Championships!
The event was kicked off with Real Estate Education and a What’s Hot, What’s Hot Seminar, which highlighted experts from various sectors of the auction industry to discuss impacts of the changing market on auctions. Auctioneers from across the state were awarded for their outstanding accomplishments in marketing. There was a total of approximately 175 entries in the 40 categories competed for in the coveted marketing competition. There was also an Auction of the Year Award, which is chosen from all entries.
 MSAA Members taking home awards are as follows. Noah Smith, Art Smith Auctioneers: Antiques / Collectibles / Estate - One Color; Farm Machinery & Equipment - One Color; Real Estate - One Color; Best of Show Photo; Photo from behind the auctioneer. Leroy Yoder, Yoder Bros Auction Service: Antiques / Collectibles / Estate - Two Color; Real Estate - Two Color. Scott Vander Kolk Jr., Vanker Kolk's Golden Gavel Auction Service: Antiques / Collectibles / Estate - Multi Color; Website. Art Smith, Art Smith Auctioneers: Business Liquidations - One Color; Business Promotion: Company Image Wear; Auction photo. Hip Kuiper Sr, Miedema Auctioneering Inc.: Business Liquidations - Two Color; Business Liquidations - Multi Color; Industrial Machinery & Equipment - Multi Color. Richard Montgomery, RJ Montgomery & Associates Inc.: Industrial Machinery & Equipment - Two Color. Sid Miedema, Miedema Auctioneering Inc.: Farm Machinery & Equipment - Two Color. Bill Sheridan, Sheridan Realty & Auction Co.: Farm Machinery & Equipment - Multi Color; Real Estate - Multi Color. Braun & Helmer Auction Service Inc. : Specialty Auction - One Color. Doug Heuker, Miedema Auctioneering Inc.: Specialty Auction - Two Color. Doug Sheridan, Sheridan Realty & Auction Co.: Specialty Auction - Multi Color and Auction of the Year! David Helmer : Benefit Auction - One Color; Benefit Auction - Two Color; Benefit Auction - Multi Color. Dan Samson: Media Coverage: News article. Bradley Marsa: Radio Commercial. Beth Rose, Beth Rose Auction Group LLC: Television Commercial; Auction Proposals. Kenny Lindsay & Scott VanderKolk: Company Brochure. Kenny Lindsay, American Eagle Auction & Appraisal Co.: Company Promotional Item; Signage; Auction Summaries; Auction Appraisals. Scott Miedema, Miedema Auctioneering Inc.: News Release. Tim Bos, Bos Walters Auctioneers: Presentation Folder. Joseph Phillips, Ridge Crest Liquidators & Auctioneers: Customer Testimonial; Side Show Photo. Kenny Lindsay & David Helmer: Auction Networking. To see the winners, follow this link.
Testing their talent in the Bid Calling Competition were 21 Men and Women Auctioneers. Contestants compete in a bid calling and interview portion to test their knowledge of the auction business. The 5 finalists were Jonathan Kraft (Hobart, Ind.), Richard Montgomery (Plymouth, Mich.), Joe Phillips (Fort Gratiot, Mich.), Dan Stone (Carleton, Mich.), and Donna Tuttle (Mio, Mich.).  At the end of the night, Jonathan Kraft of Hobart, Indiana was crowned the 2008 MSAA Bid Calling Champion. Jonathan will represent Michigan in the International Auctioneer Championships in Nashville, Tennessee in July.
Also highlighted during the event was the MSAA Ringman Competition. Men and Women were tested on their "ringing abilities". The contest evaluated ringmen in the following areas: product knowledge; crowd control; performance; communication and relaying bids to the Auctioneer; appearance and communication and interaction with other ringmen. At the end of the day, David G. Helmer of Saline, Michigan walked away with the title.
Friday evening of the Event hosts the annual President’s Banquet and St. Jude Fundraiser Auction. Douglas J. Heuker of Marion was inducted as the 2008 MSAA President. The New Officers in the MSAA are Joseph Phillips (Fort Gratiot), President elect; Art Smith (Cedar Springs), Vice President; Rebecca Lawrence (Buckley), Secretary/Treasurer; Michael H. Bliss (Mt. Pleasant), Chairman of the Board. In all, there are 13 Directors and Officers.
Edward G. King of Farwell was honored for his extraordinary service to the Auction Industry by being inducted into the MSAA Hall of Fame. Also honored were Peter Gehres (Hilliard, Ohio) and Troy Crowe (Corunna, Mich.), who were presented with the 2008 Scholarship awards.
 Also attending the event were delegates from the National Auctioneers Association. Randy & Annette Wells (Post Falls, Idaho), NAA President elect and NAA Auxiliary President; William L. Sheridan (Mason, Mich.), NAA Chairman of the Board and Dennis K. Kruse (Auburn, Ind), NAA Past President. MSAA Members will travel to the National Auctioneers Association Conference & Show in July in Nashville, Tennessee. This event will showcase the International Auctioneer Championships, where many MSAA Members will compete.
For Photo Coverage, Click on the following links:
Photo Album 1
Photo Album 2
Photo Album 3
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With approximately 400 members, the Michigan State Auctioneers Association is one of the leaders in the industry, and is proving to continue in that direction in the future. The Michigan State Auctioneers Association is the largest representation of auctioneers in Michigan. The MSAA represents the interests of the Auctioneers, providing a forum for networking, sharing ideas and experiences. For more information about the Michigan State Auctioneers Association and the auction industry in Michigan, log onto www.msaa.org.
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