President's Letter

Hello Auctioneers,

Proud to announce at this time that western Montana was absolutely beautiful this summer, we could see the mountains and breathe air free of ash!! YIPEE!!

Appears that the majority of Montana in general was blessed with a good summer as we all are to live in such a great part of this country. Not many places to live anymore within 15 minutes to some of the greatest fishing and 30 minutes away from some of the best hunting in the world without the city hassles. Unfortunately most of us work 2 or 3 jobs to get ahead but beats laying around stinking up the couch.

On to business.

The board has been working on the agenda for the upcoming MAA convention in Billings with speakers and topics of interest for all. Taryn sent out 2 email surveys (both the same) to see what topics would be of interest to you, the SAD result is that on the first survey only 8 members replied and only 13 members on the second one. This association is for all of you and not just the board, this was our first try with electronic survey. If there is another way that you would like to be contacted please let us know. We took what little information we have and are proceeding forward. Granted we are all busy but it only took a couple minutes to do the survey (well maybe 5), that being said, now would be a great time to get your nominations in to the nomination committee or express an interest that you would like to be on the board of directors. I was nominated to the board by Jason Shobe and was so nervous about it I didn't think I was ready, I have to tell you it has been the greatest thing to happen to me in the auction industry, these past 5 years have been fun. THANK YOU JASON!! I am still as excited today as I was back then and why I jumped on the soapbox about the surveys.

There is information in this newsletter pertaining to the upcoming convention in Billings so please don't forget to get your rooms reserved and start planning to further your education in the auction business along with other activities for you and the whole family. If you know of young or old auctioneers who are not members please encourage them to come join us, it's always fun to meet new people and introduce them to your peers. Sure look forward to seeing you all in Billings.

Have a Great Day,

Kevin

Most people are gifted, but most never open Their Package

Author unknown

Article by Nick Bennett, MAA Vice President

Is it fair to say that this summer has gone by too quickly? I hope so, because it has come and gone much more quickly than I would have liked! That said, it has been a very enjoyable summer for me and my family, and I hope that through the hustle and bustle of everyday summer life, you and yours have had a chance to slow down and enjoy this great time of year.

Speaking of summer, in these last few months I have spent a significant amount of time laying out a business plan and initial processes and procedures for an auction company that my family and I are starting. In doing so, I’ve had many takeaways. Two of which I would like to share with you here.

My first takeaway is there are many people in our industry who are willing to lend a helping hand any time they can. I experienced that with little more than a phone call and/or an in-person conversation, I have had fellow auctioneers, and auction company owners offer and provide me with all the knowledge and resources they have to assist in our company’s startup process. These are fellow Montana Auctioneers Association members, National Auctioneers Association members and others within the industry sharing their best practices and knowledge in order to help me succeed.

If you are thinking of starting an auction business or are wanting to expand your business into new markets, I’d encourage you to do it. If you ask for guidance, you will receive it. If you need help, turn to those within our membership for assistance. Lean into the resources and relationships you have within the MAA and industry to support you as you go. These connections have been extremely helpful for me.

My second takeaway is the realization of how many new and innovative tools are out there to help us as auctioneers provide fresh and up-to-date services to our clients. From clerking and cashiering solutions to online software solutions built specifically for auctioneers to auction specific apps and other universal business services. All at our disposal. It’s hard for me not to get excited looking at all of this and seeing what opportunities lie ahead for our industry here in Montana and beyond.

It’s been an educational and fun process to work through the wide array of options that exist for our new company. It has helped me realize now more than ever the direct need we as auctioneers serve and it has made me much more aware of the tools that exist to make our businesses productive and efficient.

I have learned that opportunities don’t knock on your door very often; rather, you have to go out and find them. If you want to start a new business, start it! If you want to make changes to your business, make them! … And have fun doing it!

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then is not an act, but a habit.

Aristotle

Have a great end of summer and start to fall, and I hope you find my takeaways above helpful as you move your business forward in the coming months.

Nick Bennett

Baker Auctioneer Attends NAA Day On the Hill in Washington, DC

Baker, Montana September 16th 2019– Baker auctioneer J.K. Kinsey, of Kinsey Auctioneers & Real Estate LLC, met with Capitol Hill members of the United States House of Representatives and Senate, or their staff, as part of the National Auctioneers Association's Day On The Hill event on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019.

Kinsey who is on the Advocacy Committee for the National Auctioneers Association was among a group of nearly 30 NAA members and staff who all aimed to establish and strengthen strategic relationships at both the state and national level, while also promoting both the NAA and the auction method of marketing.

Among other small-business issues discussed was legislation relating to the Supreme Court decision South Dakota v. Wayfair et als. The impacts of this decision, which deals with interstate sales tax, could have a significant negative impact on small business, including auction businesses.

As a result of South Dakota v. Wayfair, et als., many states now collect sales tax on taxable items purchased from a seller in another state even if the seller does not maintain a physical place of business in the state to which items are being shipped. State and even local sales taxes can be assessed on items
purchased from traditional retailers or from remote sellers, including auction companies, that ship or deliver outside their home states.

NAA facilitated Day on the Hill to provide its members an opportunity to share their personal experiences and inform their lawmakers of the impacts of decisions like South Dakota v. Wayfair, et als. on their businesses.

For more information about the NAA and its advocacy efforts, visit auctioneers.org.

2020 MAA Convention

January 24 & 25

Billings Hotel and Convention Center
1223 Mullowney Ln #6391, Billings, MT

Book your hotel today and ensure the reduced rate of $109/night by calling 406-248-7151 or book online at BillingsHotelMT.com using group code MTAA20

NAA Featured Speaker

This year's convention NAA Featured Speaker is Peter D. Gehres, CAI, CES, CAS. Larry is a Columbus, OH based Auctioneer and Realtor for RES Auction Services. He is the 2015 NAA International Auctioneer Champion and 6 time State and Regional Auctioneer Champion.

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame nominations are now open! If you have someone you'd like to nominate please click on the link below to download the form.

Past inductees are

  • 1991 Fritz Hoppe
  • 1992 R.J. “Bob” Thomas
  • 1994 Morris Gardner
  • 1996 Del Strommen
  • 2001 Frank Bass and Ron Granmoe
  • 2003 Gus Bender and John Mandeville
  • 2010 Bob Penfield
  • 2011 Rick Stahl
  • 2014 Jerry and Gail Ellis and Tex Pate
  • 2017 Rod Tande
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