One of the oldest industries and professions, auctioneering, is alive and strong in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. One of the reasons is because of the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association (PAA).Back in 1948, the PAA was formed to help professionals in the auction industry to continually improve the standard of education, ethics and performance of its members. This month, the association met yet again for its 76thAnnual Conference and Trade Show. Who is the PAA? The PAA is one of the largest auctioneer associations in the country, meeting once a year in Harrisburg, with local chapters meeting multiple times a year, to host educational seminars, an auctioneer competition, advertising and marketing contests, 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. Did you know that anyone selling through the auction method in Pennsylvania (online or live) is required by law to hold a state issued license? Focusing on educating the auction professional and beyond, the PAA provides continuing education points to the many auctioneers who maintain advanced auctioneer certifications or auctioneer licenses held in other states that require ongoing education. This annual conference allows the attendees to better serve their buyers, sellers, and the industry as a whole. Over 200 auction professionals were in attendance, including auctioneers, apprentices, auction students, support personnel, vendors, and presenters. Twenty-five presenters from around the country offered a wealth of information. Some of the presenters were from the PAA membership itself, including past auctioneer competition champions Matt Hostetter, J. Meryl Stoltzfus, and Brian Burke II, who led a Bid Calling Workshop, where auctioneers could bid call and get some pointers to prepare for the PA Auctioneer Championship held during the conference but at the nearby Farm Show (results listed below). Some of the other member-run sessions included Fire Fighting Antiques and Memorabilia put on by Brian Enterline; Understanding our Auction Law by Patrick Morgan; member Dave Conley spoke about Antique Farm Equipment; and National Auction Association President Lance Walker spoke about working with Real Estate Brokers. Some other valuable sessions included The Changing Marketplace and Evolving Buyer Expectations by Paul Gibson of Shipping Saint; Demystifying Stock Market Risks by Tom Cichocki of Morgan Stanley; How to Merchandise Dairy Cows and Understand a Cattle Catalog by Adam Fraley; Presidential Memorabilia by Historian Dr. Larry Cook; Adam Amspacher spoke on a Niche Auction Specialty of American Artifacts and Arrowheads; and there was even a presentation on DOT and trailer hauling put on by the PA State Police. The attendees heard from Charles and Scott Wehrly along with Shawn Carbaugh about an auction company going from one generation to the next, the history, and the progress of Wehrlys Auction. The seminar schedule ended with a session by the PAA Legal Counsel, Attorney Ryan Gonder and Governmental Affairs Consultants Jessica Kemmerer and David Feidt. Today, auctions are just as, if not more so, prevalent online as they are live. One of the vendors, BidWrangler, held a Tech Talk session. Another online-focused session included Managing Multiple Platforms for Online Auctions presented by Heino Koberg and Barb Smith with the assistance of BidSpirit, who was also present as a vendor. The PAA prides themselves on holding a Trade Show in conjunction with the conference. Attendees can come and speak with companies that provide products and services to help improve the industry. This includes vendors from online platforms, a moving company, various auction software, insurance, advertising (print and digital), auction sound, auction equipment and more. Of course, this event would not be what it is without generous sponsors. The highest-level sponsors included E. R. Munro & Company who was the Corporate Registration sponsor, and Platinum sponsors United Merchant Processing Association, Shipping Saint, Shearer Printing & Office Solutions, Lancaster Farming, AuctionTime/Auction Flex and Auction Technology Group. There were many other sponsors at various levels, all of which will be listed on www.PAAuctioneers.org, including Engle Printing & Publishing Companys Antiques & Auction News. Several awards are given out each year to honor some of those who have dedicated their careers to the industry and who have made the industry better for all. Gerald Rader of Skippack and Kimberly Douglass of Boyertown were the newest inductees into the PAA Hall of Fame. This award is given to individuals 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. Additionally, the title of Auctioneer of the Yearis given to an auctioneer who has shown excellent leadership, high ethical standards, a willingness to share with others, participation in community affairs, and outstanding contributions to the PAA and the auction profession. This years recipient is Dennis Wolgemuth of Leola. Retiring PAA Treasurer Robert Ensminger of Harrisburg was acknowledged for his 18 years of dedication to the office. Of course, a conference would be nothing without a bit of competition! Annually, the PAA hosts the Pennsylvania Auctioneer Competition Championshipat the PA Farm Show Complex during the week of the PA Farm Show.This year, as always, there were many hundreds in attendance and participating in the auction. The competition was held on the evening of Jan. 10, highlighting the best auctioneers licensed in the state of Pennsylvania, and 23 contestants competed. Shawn Carbaugh of Spring Grove won as the overall champion. The runner-up was Nicholas Hummer of Manheim. The rookie (licensed for less than 2 years) was Alec Hess of Manheim, and the top female competitor was Kylee Hostetter of Beaver Falls. The group also held an advertising and marketing contest with both print and digital categories. The Best of Show, strictly a judges award, was bestowed on Hostetter Auctioneers for a promotional video. The Auctioneers Choice award, judged and chosen by all conference attendees, was given to Pook and Pook Inc. First-place category winners included Hurley Real Estate & Auctions (7), Alderfer Auction (4), Patrick Morgan Auction Services LLC (3), Pook and Pook Inc (2), Fortna Auctioneers, Cordier Auctions & Appraisals, and BL Oberholtzer Auction Service. Officers for the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association for 2024 include the following: President Thomas Saylor of Felton; President-Elect Michael Calvert of Linesville; Vice President Brian Oberholtzer of Reinolds; Treasurer Kim Douglass of Boyertown; and Lon Clemmer of Harleysville who will serve on the PAA Board as the immediate past president. Kimberly K. Douglass is the executive director for the association. To find a PAA auctioneer in your area or to find out more about the association, visit www.PAAuctioneers.org or contact the association at info@paauctioneers.org.