Written By: Riley Kahl

March 4-5th the State Leadership Conference hosted by the National Auctioneers Association was held in Kansas City and attended by WAA board members David Allen, Gary Dufour, Riley Kahl and our membership manager Natalie Pratt. This was an excellent conference with quite the emphasis on membership. It appears all states have concerns in all different areas in regards to obtaining and retaining members.

It appears many states are offering vendor discounts to members (which the WAA now has numerous) to assist in the many facets of our auction business. Education and continued education is still very important to current members. Every state does have different strategies to their yearly convention and change is important. In fact the WAA will do just that, next year’s convention will be held on Friday, Saturday, & Sunday to support attendance for a weekend event such as numerous other states have found successful. Also some discussion in finding members in the industry other than auctioneers (auction team) was found of importance to the current member as well as the association.

Overall there were numerous topics covered to regain memberships, all of which us as board members will be implementing as needed for our association. From the attendees, we would like to thank you for the opportunity to attend the conference. Also as you the current member could contact your local auctioneers in your area to join the WAA, it does take a whole association to grow. “We are looking for a few good members”