One of the largest auctioneer associations in the country gathered for its annual conference in Harrisburg, Pa. The Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association (PAA) is brimming with individuals who are passionate about the auction industry. Several members were honored during this annual event. Outgoing PAA president, Mike Calvert of Linesville, handed off the gavel to the new 2026 PAA president, Brian Oberholtzer of Reinholds. Oberholtzer was chairperson of the successful conference, which had hundreds of auctioneers, apprentices, auction students, support personnel, vendors, presenters, and guests in attendance. The event took place on Jan. 13 to 16 at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey. Conference participants had access to many educational seminars during the course of the event that will allow them to better serve their buyers and sellers. Continuing education units were available to auctioneers to maintain advanced auctioneer certifications or auctioneer licenses held in other states requiring education. The conference kicked off with a fun and free session Tuesday evening of networking and stories. Throughout the event there was a wide range of diverse seminars by industry leaders including a bid calling workshop from several past state champions: Matthew Hostetter, J. Meryl Stoltzfus, and Colin McPeak; A Practical Interpretation of our Auction Law presented by Patrick Morgan; Ethics and Professionalism presented by Matt and Kaleb Hurley; and Discology by Kevin Smith. The 2024 International Auctioneer Champion, Shane McCarrell, gave a session titled Beyond your Beginnings, and Matthew Fridge of Headspace Media shared his knowledge about Chat GPT with Whats Next with Artificial Intelligence. Thursday began another day filled with educational seminars, including Estate Planning and Partnering with Attorneys and Real Estate Auction Practices with Attorneys by Ashley Glick and Samuel Goodley III of Glick, Goodley, Deibler & Fanning, LLP; Michael Charnego shared his knowledge with Selling Coins at Auction; attorney Brian Honnes of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC presented a lecture Business Transition Planning; and the day ended with a session called Ringman and the Auctioneer presented by Matt Hostetter, Patrick Morgan and Jason Reed; and an Auctioneers Guide to Selling Antique Radios, Hi-Fidelity and Stereo Equipment by John Tyminsky and business partner, Darren Hoffman. The final day of the conference was also chock full and had over 200 attendees. Matthew Hurley presented a session, Real Estate Auction, and Scott Russell discussed Maximizing Profitability in Sports Cards and Memorabilia. The incoming president, Brian Oberholtzer, presented a session on Equipment Consignment Auction Dos and Donts and also talked about contract auctioneering work in the equipment fields. Tim Keller presented a session called The Benefit of Free (or Not) Fundraising and Charity Auctions, while 2025 president, Mike Calvert, shared his sales knowledge and experience on how to get more auctions. The final session was on Pennsylvanias Legislative and Political Landscape for 2026 by the PAAs Governmental Affairs consultant, Jessica Kemmerer. The PAA traditionally hosts the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Championship at the Farm Show Complex during the PA Farm Show. This year, auctiongoers saw firsthand the best auctioneers in the state on Jan. 14. There were 22 contestants, with Chase Noll of Manheim coming out as champion. It is possible this was the first time the runner-up was also the rookie champion (licensed for 2 years or less). Elvin Stoltzfus of Spring Mills took home those awards. The PAA is honored to have so many members who have dedicated their careers to the industry and who have made the industry better for all. Several awards are given each year to honor some of those auctioneers. The recipient of the prestigious award of Auctioneer of the Year was awarded to Brian L. Oberholtzer. The nominations for this award are chosen by auctioneers in his/her area, and the winner is selected by his/her state-wide peers. Oberholtzer has shown excellent leadership, high ethical standards, willingness to share with others, participation in community affairs, and outstanding contributions to the PAA and the auction profession over the past year. Two auctioneers were inducted into the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame. This award is given to an individual based on integrity, honesty, high moral character, acute fairness, and distinction and is bestowed on an auctioneer each year who, over the course of his or her profession, has committed him or herself to foster excellence within the industry. The inductees were Mark K. Keller of Elliotsburg and Kevin D. Smith of Quakertown. Both are well deserving. Several auction companies garnered awards for first-place categories in the PAA Advertising and Marketing Contest, including Alderfer Auction; Hurley Real Estate & Auctions; Shetron Auction & Equipment, LLC; Patrick Morgan Auction Services, LLC; Sanford Alderfer Real Estate/Tranzon Alderfer; Cordier Auctions; and HK Keller. Judged and chosen on-site by all auctioneers in attendance was the award of Auctioneers Choice. The winner of this award was Patrick Morgan Auction Services, LLC of New Holland. Best of Show, strictly a judges award, was bestowed on Wheeler Auctioneering of Edinboro. Officers for the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association for 2026 include: President, Brian L. Oberholtzer of Reinholds; President-Elect, Jason Reed of Greensburg; Vice-President, J. Meryl Stoltzfus of Newport; Immediate Past President, Michael J. Calvert; and Treasurer and Executive Director, Kimberly K.D. Morgan of Boyertown. To find a PAA Auctioneer in your area or to find out more about the association, go to www.PAAuctioneers.org or contact the association at info@paauctioneers.org.