2017 KAA Winter Convention recap

The 2017 KAA Winter Convention featured excellent networking opportunities and auctioneer education in addition to the 2017 KAA Auctioneer Championship preliminary round.

It all started off on Thursday evening with the president’s reception, KAA board meeting and the past presidents’ meeting with incoming president, Aaron Traffas. Real estate continuing education courses were held Friday during the day with a required broker core course entitled “RISK – Your Business is Not a Game” by the Wichita Area Association of REALTORS® and an elective course called “Elevating Your Real Estate Auction Service to the 2017 Standards” presented by Marty Higgenbotham. For the members who did not attend the real estate classes, a second track of education was offered entitled “Build Your Brand with Lasting Impressions” taught by Mary Jean Billingsley. The KAA Auxiliary had their fun, which included networking and a presentation on essential oils.

We were excited to have 16 contestants in the 26th Annual Kansas Auctioneer Championship preliminaries. Ten finalists will be advancing to compete at the Kansas State Fair this fall.

The rookie competition and fun auction were held after dinner where funds were also raised for St. Jude Hospital. Our rookie champion for 2016 is Hunter Sturgis. Our early bird winner is Ross Daniels and the winner of the first-timers’ drawing was Neil Bouray. Both won free registration to next year’s convention.

Saturday was power-packed with lots of educational sessions by Jimmie Dean Coffey, Marty Higgenbotham and a panel discussion on contract work. The sessions included information on technology, multi-par auctions, contract work and the value auctioneers add to society. The auxiliary held their luncheon and conducted their scholarship fund auction. Saturday evening was the awards banquet with many deserving KAA members being recognized.

Education

Friday night rookie contest and fun auction

Saturday night awards and directors’ auction

Sunday morning installation breakfast