Robert Mayo – Professional Auctioneer, Auction Educator & Public Speaker

Some would argue that the auction industry has seasons. Depending on the type of auctions an auctioneer or auction company conducts, the season will vary.

However, there is no doubt that most state auctioneer associations have a winter conference, and these winter conferences are usually in January and February. As a result, the state auction association conference season is in full swing.

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to be a guest speaker at The Virginia Auctioneers Association in Williamsburg Virginia. What an active and great group of auctioneers.

Last week was The Kansas Auctioneers Association Winter Convention. We had great presenters in attendance, including Hannes Combest the CEO of the National Auctioneers Association, Auctioneer J.J. Dower from Tennessee and Benefit Auctioneer Gala Gal Jenelle Taylor. The educational seminars were well received, and a special thanks goes to our education committee chair Aaron Traffas for organizing these great presenters.

In addition, we had a lively and fun auctioneers contest where we chose our top 10 finalists for the final round to be held in September at the state fair in Hutchison Kansas where we will crown our 2014-15 State Champion Auctioneer. This year we will actually have 11 semi finalists as a result of a tie for 10th and 11th place. The prelims were streamed via the internet for those who were unable to attend. We are hoping to do this at the fair this Fall as well.

I am grateful for the opportunity to begin the second year of my three year term on the board of directors for the KAA. It is a wonderful organization.

Today the Iowa Auctioneers Association started their winter conference, and because of technology, we were able to watch the auction contest via streaming video. I watched the contest while updating content on our website and intermittently goofing off with the kids. My wife thinks I am an auction addict, and she is correct.

So what’s next? This coming week I will be traveling to Arkansas to present at their winter conference and also help judge their auctioneer contest. I am looking forward to seeing some friends, meeting new friends and sharing what I can.

And then? The Missouri Professional Auctioneers Association will have its winter convention in a couple weeks at The Elms in Excelsior Springs Missouri. Soon enough it will be March and we will be thinking about green grass, warm weather and the NAA Conference and Show coming up in July.

I suppose their is an auction season, and this is the season to learn and fellowship with our auction friends and family.