HARRISBURG, Pa. — Nearly 300 auctioneers, apprentices, support personnel, vendors, presenters and guests attended the 64th annual conference and trade show of the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association, Jan. 11-13, at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey.
Conference participants took part in 12 educational seminars during the course of the event.
Awards
Several Pennsylvania auctioneers came up winners during the event. Jonathan B. Hummer, of Manheim, Lancaster County, garnered the prestigious Pennsylvania Auctioneer Champion. He competed against 29 auctioneers to be the best bid caller and auctioneer in the state as well as for the top prize of cash, a large silver trophy and paid registration at the International Auctioneer Championship set for July 2012 in Spokane, Wash.
The runner-up was Michael J. Martin of New Holland, Lancaster County. The PAA also named a Rookie Auctioneer Champion, an individual who has been an auctioneer less than two years. William N. Bering, Jr., of Lebanon took this award.
Criteria
The auctioneers were judged by a panel of eight judges on their bid calling ability, overall presentation, speech, appearance and salesmanship. A majority of the proceeds from the contest and benefit auction went to the Farm Show Scholarship Fund to support students entering the agricultural field.
Mark L. Ferry and members of the Southwest chapter spent an entire year planning and carrying out one of the highest grossing auction contests in the history of the PAA. Guests bid on classified advertising, trips, services, antiques, and other items in an auction organized by Matt Hostetter and members of the PAA Northwest chapter. The auction helps offset the overall cost of the conference.
Gerald A. Rader of Skippack, Montgomery County, was the recipient of this year’s prestigious Auctioneer of the Year. Rader 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 in 2011.
Hall of fame
Ted A. Maurer, of Pottstown, Montgomery County, and Harold K. Keller, of Lancaster were named to the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame. This award is given based on the individual’s integrity, honesty, high moral character, acute fairness and distinction, and is bestowed on auctioneers each year who have committed themselves to fostering excellence in the auction industry.
Officers
New officers for the 2012 Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association include Randy A. Betton, president, of Greensburg, Westmoreland County; Matthew S. Hurley, president-elect, Greencastle, Franklin County; Mark L. Ferry, vice president, of Latrobe, Westmoreland County; and Robert A. Ensminger, treasurer, Ensminger Auctioneers, Harrisburg, Dauphin County.
Kenneth A. Hansell, Jr., of Perkiomenville, Montgomery County, as PAA president in 2001, will serve as chairman of the board.
