2023 Fall Newsletter

Hello MAA,

It’s fall once again!  I can’t believe it.  It feels like fall 2022 was only a few weeks ago.  Time absolutely flies.  It’s a reminder to me to be intentional and spend my time wisely!

Montana had a very nice turnout at the National Auctioneers Association Conference and Show this year in Oklahoma City.  The weather was HOT! Thankfully the convention center was a great space to stay cool.  I had quite a few takeaways this year.  At the top of my list was a new program that the NAA has rolled out called “The Auction Institute.”  This is a training program for members to use with their staff to train them in different rolls and tasks within the auction industry.  If you are like me and find that it’s hard to find time to train those assisting in your organization, I recommend you check it out.  If you aren’t an NAA member, I’d also like you to consider joining the NAA and reaping the many benefits, like this new training program.

MAA Membership Reminder! This time of year the board is in the process of reminding members to pay their annual dues.  Please take a minute and make sure you are up to date with your membership.

New Logo Reminder! Don’t forget to update your MAA logo’s to our new logo.  Please reach out to Taryn if you need a digital copy of the new design.

Have a wonderful fall and enjoy the change of seasons!

Kind Regards,

Nick Bennett, MAA President

Happy Autumn Auctioneers

It’s a wonderful time to be in the auction business from our own experience as well as observing auctions and marketing of others. Had the opportunity to attend one of Logan’s auctions and would declare live auctions are still well attended. They had a very nice lineup of equipment, shop tools and household items, large crowd and good prices from my perspective. Online auctions are doing well, too, from our experience as long as you have the inventory they will figure out a way to buy either way. Personally, I feel as the auction opportunities will continue to increase given in the near future so prepare to do your best.

Looking ahead to our convention in Billings I would encourage everyone block off Thursday evening through Saturday to take advantage of the education workshops, WY-MONT bid calling competition and enjoy all the networking. If you have any questions, concerns or comments regarding the convention please feel free to contact myself or any of the board members. MAA’s finances are rock solid with a nice cushion for any unexpected circumstances or educational opportunities for our membership.

Have a great Fall.

Merton Musser, CAI

Musser Bros. Inc 

2024 Featured Speakers

Mike has been in the auction business for 23 years and is the owner of Redfield Group Auctions, Inc. He graduated auction school at Jacksonville State University where he also attended college. He is a licensed auctioneer and real estate agent in most of the southeast states and has conducted auctions in over 40 states, Mexico and the Bahamas.

Mr. Fisher is currently a Board Member for the National Auctioneers Association and is a Governor appointee to the Alabama State Board of Auctioneers where he serves as Vice Chair. Mike has been an instructor at the Certified Auctioneers Institute and presented at many state association conferences. He is currently an instructor for the Certified Estate Specialist designation and Co-Chair for CAI Next in 2023.

T. Kyle Swicegood is a native of Davie County, North Carolina. He graduated from Davie High School in 1985 and later graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury, NC with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a focus in marketing. He graduated from the Lewis & Clarke School of Real Estate in 1991. In 2008, he graduated from the Reppert School of Auctioneering.

Kyle has continued to increase his knowledge in real estate through postgraduate studies at the Commercial Real Estate Institute located in Chicago, IL, receiving the designation Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) in June of 2000.