The National Auction Association (NAA) held its annual Conference & Show in late July, right in the heart of Pittsburgh, PA. It was a fantastic 5 days filled with learning, networking, celebrations, and fun.

The Rasmus team, made up of 11 enthusiastic members, attended classes on innovation, marketing, and more. When people who love auctions come together, they share great ideas and help each other grow. This event is a special chance for auctioneers and their teams from all over the country to meet face-to-face, share ideas, and have a blast!

Our adventure started with a special dinner at PNC Park Stadium, followed by a Pirates game! After an exciting evening, we prepared for the busy days ahead. The ladies of Team Rasmus kicked off the conference with an early start, participating in the first-ever Fun Run at 5:45 am. Led by a local running star, it was a beautiful way to explore the city’s parks, rivers, and enjoy the sunrise. Big thanks to Tranzon for sponsoring the run and providing all the cool merchandise!

A big highlight for our team was seeing our COO, Erik Rasmus, elected to the NAA Board of Directors. Erik brings fresh ideas like:

• Teaching people about modern auction methods
• Inspiring young people to join the industry
• Creating more jobs and boosting auction participation across the country

We also had the chance to meet our auction partners from “Asset Bridge” across the country. While we often connect through Zoom and Google Meet, meeting in person and sharing meals really strengthens our relationships. These face-to-face chats make our industry even stronger.

The conference wrapped up with the exciting 2024 International Auctioneer Championship. Nearly 100 auctioneers competed for the top spot. Congrats to Shane McCarrell from Clarksville, TN, and Marcela Davila from Mexico for winning! Caleb Taylor was named Junior Champion, following in his father’s footsteps. A special shoutout to our own Wendy Grimm, an Asset Bridge partner, who competed this year. Great job, Wendy! Maybe next year, one of us from Team Rasmus will be in the running!

Throughout the week, we enjoyed many meals in downtown Pittsburgh. I bet the city noticed a huge boost in their economy with over 1,000 auctioneers visiting! From tiny tots to seasoned pros, and from cowboy hats to high heels, we all wandered around the city enjoying amazing food and drinks.

Thanks, NAA, for a fantastic Conference & Show! Team Rasmus left with tons of new knowledge, fresh ideas, and a stronger sense of unity. We can’t wait to see you all next year!