Michigan Auctioneers Conference full of Champions!
Auctioneers gathered January 24-27 for the Michigan State Auctioneers Association 61st Annual Conference. Over 140 Auctioneers, support staff, families & exhibitors gathered for Education, Fellowship and Fun at the 2012 Michigan State Auctioneers Association Conference in Lansing, 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 Michigan Auctioneer Championships and Ringman Championships!!
Several speakers highlighted the event, including International Champion Auctioneer, Eli Detweiler, Professional Ringman, Sam “The Hitman” Grasso, Greg “Machinery Pete” Peterson, instructors and well known auctioneers, Mike Brandly, Rick Montgomery, Kenny Lindsay, Peter Gehres, Gwyn Besner, David Helmer, Tim Bos, Jonathan Kraft and more.
Auctioneers from across the state were awarded for their outstanding accomplishments in marketing. There was a total of approximately 190 entries in the 42 categories competed for in the coveted marketing competition. The most prestigious of the awards went to the Auction of the Year category, won by Merritt Auctions of Greenville, Michigan; the Website category, won by She Sold It of Lapeer, Michigan; and the Social Media Category, won by Beth Rose Auction Company of Maumee, Ohio.
Many MSAA Members took home marketing awards, some members capturing multiple category championships. The entire list can be found on the MSAA Website at www.FindMichiganAuctions.com.
Henry Detweiler, of Charlotte, Michigan won the 2012 Michigan Auctioneer Championships. 10 contestants competed for the coveted title. The 6 finalists were Henry Detweiler (Charlotte, Mich.), Romayne Graber (Charlotte, Mich.), Darin Hower (Lake City, Mich.), Wade Leist (Boyne City, Mich.), Jerry Mast (Vermontville, Mich.) and Donna Tuttle (Mio, Mich.). For winning the title Henry received a championship ring, trophy, and entry into the International Auctioneer Championship in July.
Also highlighted during the event was the MSAA Ringman Championships. Contestants 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. Peter Gehres, of Hilliard, Ohio won the 2012 Michigan Ringman Championships.
Thursday evening of the Event hosts the annual President’s Banquet . Scott Vander Kolk Jr. of Dorr was inducted as the 2012 MSAA President. The New Officers in the MSAA are Dan Brodie (Farmington Hills), President elect; Kenny Lindsay (Livonia), Vice President; Darin Hower (Lake City), Secretary/Treasurer; Timothy H. Narhi (Byron), Chairman of the Board. In all, there are 13 Directors and Officers.
Ben Glardon of Owosso, Michigan and Richard J. Montgomery of Plymouth were honored for their extraordinary service to the Auction Industry by being inducted into the MSAA Hall of Fame. Special recognition was also given to Tricia Wiltjer as she was honored by outgoing President Tim Narhi with the 2012 President’s Award of Distinction. Also honored were Joseph Phillips (Fort Gratiot, Mich.), Jason Lamoreaux (Belding, Mich.), Steve Rottier (Fremont, Mich.) and Ray Krakowski (Dryden, Mich.), who were presented with the 2012 Scholarship awards.
Many MSAA Members will travel to the National Auctioneers Association Conference & Show in July in Spokane, Washington. This event will showcase the International Auctioneer Championships, where many MSAA Members will compete. January 2013 will host the 62nd Annual Conference of the Michigan State Auctioneers Association Celebrate 25 years of the Michigan Auctioneer Championships by crowning its 25th Michigan Auctioneer Champion . This special event will be held in Lansing, Michigan.
For Photo Galleries of the event, go to www.facebook.com/MichiganAuctioneers.
For videos of the Michigan Auctioneer Championships, go to www.youtube.com/michiganauctioneers.
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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.FindMichiganAuctions.com. ###
