2020 KAA Winter Convention

Join us for a fabulous weekend of learning and networking with your peers in the auction industry.

If you have a real estate license, you can register for two CE courses on Friday. Stick around for dinner and the Kansas Auction Championship preliminaries, Fun Auction and Rookie Contest. It will be a great evening of fun.

Saturday is power packed with sessions and we will be holding our Annual Meeting. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors and have hand in helping lead the association and serve members to help them achieve success, be sure to make your declaration, as we will be holding the election in the morning following breakfast. Spend the evening at our Award Banquet where we award scholarships to very deserving students, find out who the new Hall of Fame inductee is, as well as the recipients of the Award of Distinction and Award of Support.

Sunday has a memorial service for those members and/or family of members are honored. Enjoy a great panel with the Great Ideas: Ask the Experts session before the Installation Brunch to end a great weekend.

FULL INFORMATION & REGISTRATION

2019 Winter Convention recap

Excellent networking and auctioneer education, plus the 2019 KAA Auctioneer Championship preliminary round at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Lawrence.

Thursday while the Board of Directors has its Board meeting and the President-Elect, Jeff Ruckert, has a meeting with Past President’s, everyone else enjoyed the President’s Reception. 

Friday started off with a legislative update from Dan Murray before the real estate continuing education courses. The Required Broker Core: RISK – Your Business is NOT a Game with Amanda Rempe and, elective course, Negotiating Strategies for Real Estate: Building Skills to Enhance Consumer Services with John Hamilton were held for those members needing to maintain their real estate license.  For members without a real estate license or attendees who are the support staff for our members, a session called Just Jump with Tammy Miller and Auction from Beginning to Close with Jason Winter were held.

The evening included the Fun Auction, the 28th Annual Kansas Auctioneer Championship preliminaries where the top 10 qualified to compete in the finals on September 11th at the Kansas State Fair. 

Congrats and good luck to our finalist: Hunter Sturgis, Morris Yoder, Ty Patton, Titus Yutzy, Clay Schaardt, Troy Wedel, Arlin Eicher, Eric Boone, Quest Flesner and Carson Hayes.

Saturday was just a phenomenal with lots of fantastic educational sessions that included, negotiations, enhancing communication, the healing power of humor and mental toughness and courage. The auxiliary held their scholarship luncheon and auction. The Annual Meeting was held where members were able to hear from the Committees on the work they have done for the year, get a look at the financial review by the association’s accountant and hear about incoming President, Jeff Ruckert’s Presidential Plan. It was announced that Jason Schnieder and Hunter Sturgis were elected to the Board of Directors and Tommy Lindsay, Jr was elected to the position of Vice President. A new, more modern KAA logo was revealed to the membership, as well.

The Awards Banquet recognized our speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors.  Scholarships were awarded to Benjamin Hall, Payton Doll, Ashley Hall and Kaylie Doll.  The Award of Distinction went to Daniel Gutierrez, the Award of Support was given to Dwayne Leslie of Auction Guy, Tony Wisely was recognized as our 2017 Kansas Auctioneer Champion and Rick Garvin was inducted into the KAA Hall of Fame.

Sunday finished out a great convention with it’s Inspirational Worship Service & KAA Memorial, a Great Ideas – Ask the Experts panel session and the installation brunch.

Education

Saturday banquet and awards

Sunday

2019 Kansas Auctioneer Championship preliminary round

The preliminary round of the 2019 Kansas Auctioneer Championship was held in Lawrence, Kansas, on January 18, 2019. The finalists listed below in no particular order will compete at the Kansas State Fair in September for the buckle.

  • Arlin Eicher
  • Troy Wedel
  • Titus Yutzy
  • Hunter Sturgis
  • Carson Hayes
  • Clay Schaardt
  • Eric Boone
  • Quest Flesner
  • Ty Patton
  • Morris Yoder

2019 KAA KAC finalists
2019 KAA KAC finalists

Tony Wisely named 2018 Kansas Auctioneer Champion

It was a beautiful day at the Kansas State Fair on September 12. After those who attend Kansas Auctioneer Day spent the morning enjoying the fair while the board of directors had a meeting, everyone gathered at the Bretz & Young Injury Lawyers Arena for our 28th Annual Kansas Auctioneer Championship to support our ten talented finalists.

Shannon Schur, Barrett Bray, Jeff Craig and Vern Koch were the esteemed judges with the pleasure of determining who the next champion would be. After each contestant sold two items, scores were tallied and then the top five contestants answered interview questions before selling additional items. Then, the order of finish was announced and Tony Wisely received the champion’s belt buckle and will be awarded his plaque, along with receiving prize money, at Winter Convention in Lawrence, Kansas, this coming January.

Everyone took time to relax and enjoy each other’s company over funnel cakes from Connie’s and, again, having some state fair fun before meeting in Dillon Hall for dinner and more fellowship. Before the meal was done, Michael Schwanke, news anchor for KWCH in Wichita, spoke about the media, its role and how the ever-changing world of social media has changed how news reporters do their jobs in order to remain relevant and respected.

The contest is a fantastic way for our organization to promote the auction industry and highlight the talent of auctioneers. Auctioneer Day has continued to be well received and enjoyed by many members.

Contestants

Judges

KAA members

2018 Kansas Auctioneer Championship to be held in Hutchinson in September

Since 1992, auctioneers throughout Kansas and the surrounding states have traveled to Hutchinson to compete with one another at the Kansas State Fair, vying for the title of Auctioneer Champion. The Kansas Auctioneers Association (KAA) hosts the Auctioneer Championship that will be held this year on the stage of the Bretz and Young Injury Lawyers Arena at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12.

This public auction will give all fairgoers the opportunity to bid and buy from the best auctioneers in the state. The public is encouraged to attend and observe the contest or participate by placing bids. Anyone unable to attend in person can watch the contest live at www.kansasauctioneers.com.

The Auctioneer Championship featured a preliminary round conducted during the KAA’s Winter Convention last January in Wichita. Of the seventeen contestants entering the contest, ten were selected to compete in the final round at the fair.

2018 Kansas Auctioneer Championship finalists
2018 Kansas Auctioneer Championship finalists

Finalists, pictured above, from left to right.

  • Titus Yutzy – Hutchinson, Kansas
  • Daniel Gutierrez – Wichita, Kansas
  • Hunter Sturgis – Oskaloosa, Kansas
  • Troy Wedel – McPherson, Kansas
  • Tony Wisely – Perry, Oklahoma
  • Jessica Pluff – Kansas City, Missouri
  • Arlin Eicher – Partridge, Kansas
  • Donnie Stumpff – Cassville, Missouri
  • Ross Daniels – Humboldt, Kansas
  • Ty Patton – Benton, Kansas

From livestock and auto auctioneers to real estate and benefit auctioneers, each bid caller’s performance will be judged by presentation, chant, voice, effective auctioneering skills and the ability to be an ambassador for the KAA. While the preliminary round focused exclusively on bid calling, the final round at the fair will include bid calling as well as an interview component.

The winner of this year’s KAA Auctioneer Championship will receive a belt buckle, plaque, $200 cash prize, membership to the National Auctioneers Association and an entry in the International Auctioneer Championship to be held July 2019 in New Orleans.

Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, the KAA comprises auctioneers throughout Kansas and adjoining states. The members voluntarily join the association to receive further education and promote their profession. When joining the association, members agree to a code of ethics and are governed by their peers. When it is your desire to obtain an auctioneer, the members of the KAA would appreciate the opportunity to be the first choice. To learn more about the KAA and its members or to view a list of upcoming member auctions, visit kansasauctioneers.com.

2018 Kansas Auctioneer Championship preliminary round

The preliminary round of competition for the 2018 Kansas Auctioneer Championship was held in Wichita, Kansas, on January 26. The top ten from this preliminary round advance to the finals at the State Fair on September 12. Congratulations to the top ten qualifiers! We’ll see you in Hutchinson! Contestants in competition order.

  1. Donnie Stumpff
  2. Ross Daniels
  3. Hunter Sturgis
  4. Tony Wisely
  5. Karl Allen
  6. Titus Yutzy
  7. Troy Wedel
  8. Ty Patton
  9. Jessica Pluff
  10. Arlin Eicher
  11. Nick Nelson
  12. Daniel Gutierrez

   

2018 Winter Convention Recap

Excellent networking and auctioneer education, plus the 2018 KAA Auctioneer Championship preliminary round at the DoubleTree by Hilton Wichita Aiport.

Thursday while the Board of Directors has its Board meeting and the President-Elect, Kevin Borger, has a meeting with Past President’s, everyone else enjoys the President’s Reception. 

Friday kicks off with real estate courses so members who deal with real property can get their continuing education hours for license renewal.  This year, the Required Salesperson/Broker Core: Agency Toolbox Essentials with Amanda Rempe and elective course, Anatomy of a Real Estate Auction: Legal & Ethical Issues for Professional Auctioneers with George Michak was held.  Everyone enjoyed a lunch with speaker Jeremy Hill of Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research.  Casey Stoneman Roberson with McCurdy Auction did a photography session.

The second Winter Convention Extravaganza included the Fun Auction, the 27th Annual Kansas Auctioneer Championship preliminaries where the top 10 of the twelve will be competing in the finals on September 12th at the Kansas State Fair.  Along with a wonderful dinner, everyone enjoyed the music of a teenage bluegrass group call the TrebleMakers.  We were honored to have Jeff Blubaugh of Wichita’s City Council in attendance.

Congrats and good luck to our finalist: Hunter Sturgis, Daniel Gutierrez, Ty Patton, Titus Yutzy, Donnie Stumpff, Jessica Pluff, Troy Wedel, Tony Wisely, Arlin Eicher and Ross Daniels.

John Schulz, John Nicholls and a bid calling panel provided a power packed Saturday with lots of educational sessions. The sessions included information on consumer trends, data use in finding buyers, mental strength and how to take to it to the next level. The auxiliary held their scholarship luncheon and auction. The Annual Meeting was held where members were able to hear from the Committees on the work they have done for the year, get a look at the financial review by the association’s accountant and hear about incoming President, Kevin Borger, went over his Presidential Plan.

The Awards Banquet recognized our speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors.  Scholarships were awarded to Bryson Meinhardt, Kaylie Doll, Kelsie Doll and Katie Krehbiel.  The Award of Distinction went to LaDonna Schoen-Gehring, the Award of Support was given to Wanda Dusin of 31 Gifts, Julia Sparks was recognized as our 2017 Kansas Auctioneer Champion, Ethan Schuette was recognized as the 2018 KAA Livestock Auctioneer and Rick Brock was inducted into the KAA Hall of Fame.

Sunday finished out a great convention with it’s Inspirational Worship Service & KAA Memorial, a Great Ideas – Ask the Experts panel session and the installation brunch.

Education

Friday Saturday Sunday

2018 Winter Convention

January 25 – 28, 2018

DoubleTree Hilton Wichita Airport

2098 Airport Road, Wichita, KS 67209
Call 316.945.5272 | Online

REGISTRATION FORM

SCHEDULE

Thursday Evening ~ January 25

5:00 PM Registration Check-in
6:00 PM President’s Reception
7:00 PM Board of Directors followed by Past Presidents’ meeting

Friday ~ January 26

7:30 AM Registration/Check-in
Breakfast & Fellowship
8:30 AM Legislative Update by Dan Murray, KAA Legislative Monitor
9:00 AM Real Estate Mandatory Salesperson/Broker Core CE with Amanda Rempe
12:00 PM Vendor Spotlight Luncheon (Included with a full Conference Registration)
12:45 PM Auxiliary Tours (meet in the lobby)
1:00 PM Real Estate Course Elective CE with George Michak
Photography session
4:15 PM First Time Attendees Orientation
4:30 PM Fun Auction Item Check-in
Rookie Contestants Meeting
5:00 PM Kansas Auctioneer Contestant Roll all and Orientation
5:15 PM KAA Auction Extravaganza (Doors open at 5:00)
Kansas Auctioneer Championship Preliminary Round
Banquet | Fun Auction | Rookie Auctioneer Competition

Saturday ~ January 27

7:00 AM Breakfast & fellowship
Christian Auctioneer Fellowship (Not a KAA sanctioned event)
8:00 AM Candidate speeches for KAA Board of Directors/Officer Elections
8:00 AM *** Auxiliary Board meeting
8:35 AM KAA Election Voting
9:00 AM Modern Consumer Trends with John Schultz
Bid Calling with Champions
9:30 AM *** Auxiliary Annual Meeting
10:45 AM How to Take It to the Next Level and Maybe Help Your Auction Business in the Process with John Nicholls
Hands-on Marketing Workshop with John Schultz
12:00 PM *** Auxiliary Scholarship Luncheon -OR- Lunch on Your Own
1:30 PM Using Data to Find the Right Buyers with John Schultz
3:00 PM Mental Strength in the Auction Industry with John Nicholls
4:45 PM KAA Annual Meeting
7:00 PM Awards Banquet
9:30 PM Hall of Fame Reception

Sunday ~ January 28

8:00 AM Non-denominational Inspirational Worship Service & KAA Memorial
9:00 AM Great Ideas: Ask the Experts
10:45 AM Installation Brunch
Immediately following Brunch
KAA Board meeting
*** Auxiliary Board meeting

2018 Kansas Livestock Auctioneer Championship

The Kansas Livestock Auctioneer Championship was held on October 14, 2017 at the Fort Scott Livestock Market in Fort Scott, Kansas.

We are proud to announce our 2018 Kansas Livestock Champion is Ethan Schuetee of Washington, KS.  Reserve Champion is Jeremy Miller of Fairland, OK with 3rd place going to Brandon Hamel of Damar, KS, 4th place being Cody Davis of Kincaid, KS and 5th going to Ross Daniels of Humboldt, KS.

Our outstanding competitors were Cody Askren of Whiting, KS, Danny Deters of Whiting, KS and Jase Hubert of Emporia, KS.

Ethan took home the Champions belt buckle and will receive $500 cash prize at the Awards Banquet of the KAA’s Winter Convention, plus will be the MC of the 2019 contest next fall.

Kevin Borger of Legacy Auction Professionals, Trenton Johnson of Johnson Auction Services & Crown Realty and Wade Dillinger, a cattle buyer/rancher were on hand to judge this fierce competition where they were judged on: Presentation | Clarity of Chant/Voice Quality | Bid Catching | Execution of Sale | Would you hire this auctioneer?

 

2017 Kansas Auctioneer Championship

The finals for KAA’s 2017 Kansas Auctioneer Championship were held on September 13 at the Bretz & Young Injury Lawyers Arena at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, Kansas.

The 2017 Kansas Auctioneer Champion is Julia Sparks of Manhattan. The reserve champion is Justin Banzhaf of Cambridge, Nebraska. Third place was Tony Wisely of Perry, Oklahoma. Donnie Stumpff of Cassville, Missouri, placed fourth and Josh Miller of Beloit, Kansas, rounded out the top five.

Sparks took home the Champions belt buckle, plaque, $200 cash prize, membership to the National Auctioneers Association and an entry in the International Auctioneer Championship to be held July 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida.

The distinguished judges who had the honor of adjudicating the fierce competition were Shawn Terrel, Doug Carpenter and Jeremy Miller. They scored the contestants on their presentation, chant, voice timbre, body language and other performance elements of effective selling. Participants were also judged on their answers to interview questions.

Complete contest video

Photos