The 74th conference and trade show of the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association (PAA) took place in Harrisburg from Jan. 11 to the 14. The PAA is one of the largest and most active auctioneer associations in the United States. The association holds its conference once a year in Harrisburg (with local chapters meeting multiple times a year) to host educational seminars, an annual auctioneer competition, an advertising and marketing contest and a fun auction. The PAA is dedicated to making the auction industry stronger. The membership of the PAA is made up of auctioneers, trade members and other auction professionals who are passionate about the auction industry and the auction method of selling. Well over 100 auction professionals were in attendance, including auctioneers, apprentices, auction students, support personnel, vendors and presenters. During the event, all had access to various educational seminars that will allow them to better serve their buyers, sellers and the industry as a whole. The PAA focuses on educating the auction professional. Continuing education points were available to the many auctioneers who maintain advanced auctioneer certifications or auctioneer licenses held in other states that require ongoing education. Thirteen presenters from around the country offered a wealth of information. Many of the presenters were from the PAA membership itself, including the 2021 president Matt Hostetter, who, along with J. Meryl Stoltzfus, led a Bid Calling Critique where auctioneers could bid call and get pointers. Member Dana Balsamo shared her wealth of knowledge about Identification and Valuation of Quilts, Sherman Hostetter discussed Auction Company Management and Structure, Tim Keller spoke on Helping Nonprofits and How to Make a Profit, and Brent Souder discussed how industry experiences, relationships, strategies and truth create an authentic way to build ones business. Pook and Pook Inc.s photographers, Hannah Kelleher and Erin Chance, discussed product photography. The PAA also hosted the National Auctioneers Association president Beth Rose, who spoke on Real Estate and Auctions and How to Overcome 2020 & 2021. Paul Gibson, of Shipping Saint, discussed (hes a numbers guy) how to be efficient and make a profit with auction shipping. From Matthew Fridg of Headspace Media, the PAA heard two sessions on Facebook marketing and different approaches, and Sandler Trainings Michael DeMonte presented Work-Life Balance. Also, the associations legal counsel, attorney Anthony Cox Jr., discussed and answered many questions relating to contracts and current happenings affecting the auction industry. The PAA has many generous sponsors, including E. R. Munro & Company, who were the Corporate Registration Sponsor. Platinum sponsors included United Merchant Processing Association, Shearer Printing & Office Solutions, Sanford Alderfer Real Estate, Auction Technology Group, AuctionTime/AuctionFlex, and Alderfer Auction. There were many other sponsors at other levels. Several awards are given out to honor some of those who have dedicated their careers to the industry and who have made the industry better for all. Three auctioneers were inducted into the PAA 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 fostering excellence in the auction industry. The 2022 Hall of Fame inductees were Michael Calvert of Linesville, Pa., Randy Betton, who now resides in Fort Wayne, Ind., and Patrick Morgan of New Holland, Pa. The PAA had a unique and first-time situation of a double award winner, as the recipient of the prestigious award of Auctioneer of the Year was also awarded to Patrick Morgan of New Holland. Each year, the winner of the Auctioneer of the Year award is selected by his or her statewide peers. Morgan 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. Annually, the PAA hosts the Pennsylvania Auctioneer Competition Championship. After last years PA Farm Show cancellation, they were excited to be back at the Harrisburg Farm Show Complex. The competition was held on the evening of Jan. 14, highlighting the best auctioneers in the state of Pennsylvania. There were 17 contestants competing, with John Stauffer of Newmanstown, Pa., as the overall champion. The runner-up was Brian Burk II of Meshoppen, Pa., and the rookie award (licensed for less than two years) was Colin McPeak of Needmore, Pa. The top female competitor was Katelyn Callahan of Pequea, Pa. Several auction companies were given awards in the first-place categories within the PAA Advertising and Marketing Contest, including Hurley Auctions (five categories), Beiler-Campbell Auction Services, Kimberly K Auction LLC, Fortna Auctioneers & Marketing Group, H.K. Keller, Alderfer Auction (two), Hostetter Auctioneers (two), Cordier Auctions & Appraisals, and Larry A. Swartz, Auctioneer. The Best of Show, strictly a judges award, was bestowed to Alderfer Auction, who also won the Advertising and Marketing award of Auctioneers Choice, which was judged and chosen by all auctioneers attending the conference. Officers for the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association for 2022 include the following: President Jamie Shearer of Downingtown, Pa.; President-Elect Lon Clemmer of Harleysville, Pa.; Vice President Tom Saylor of Felton, Pa.; and Treasurer Robert A. Ensminger of Harrisburg, Pa. Matt Hostetter of Beaver Falls, Pa., will serve on the PAA board of directors as the immediate past president. Kimberly K. Douglass of Boyertown, Pa., is the executive director for the association. To find a PAA auctioneer in your area or to learn more about the association, visit www.paauctioneers.org or contact the association at info@paauctioneers.org.