THE HAWKEYE AUCTIONEER

Quarterly E-Newsletter

WINTER 2025

Inside This Issue:

• From the President's Desk
• Iowa Auctioneers 2025 Bid Calling Championship
• Are You Ready For 2026?
• Invest In Your Team
• Don't Miss IAA Convention Fun!
• A Message From The Vice President Leon Martin
• Join Us At The 2026 IAA Convention!
• Don't Forget To Book Your Room!
• Sponsors
• Board of Directors

View past newsletters on the IAA website:

https://iowaauctioneers.org/news/

Greetings Fellow Auctioneers,

and Happy Holidays!

I hope this message finds each of you celebrating a record-setting year—both professionally and personally. As we wrap up 2025 and look ahead, I want to highlight one of the most important events on our calendar: the Iowa Auctioneers Association Convention and Show, coming up this February in West Des Moines.

Our Vice President, Leon Martin, has assembled an outstanding lineup of speakers, industry experts, and engaging sessions. Be sure to check out his column in this newsletter for more details—you won’t want to miss what he has planned for us in just a few short months.

Please register early!

Not only will you secure the early-bird discount and your hotel accommodations, but you’ll also help the board tremendously as we plan for attendance, meals, and session logistics. As many of you know, last-minute registrations have become something of a tradition—but an early sign-up truly makes a difference!

This year’s convention will again feature bid-calling sessions for all attendees, along with dedicated opportunities for FFA students interested in the Bid Calling Championship or simply wanting a closer look at the craft of auctioneering. We hope to see a strong turnout on Friday afternoon for these sessions—your support helps cultivate the next generation of auction professionals.

We will also host our full slate of competitions: Ringman, Team, Rookie, and Open. Start lining up your partner for the Friday night Team Competition—last year’s event was electric and showcased some of the best crews in the business.

A highlight from last year that we’re continuing is the Hall of Fame Induction on Friday evening. This timing gives the inductee the opportunity to enjoy the full convention experience on Saturday and allows the President’s celebration on Saturday night to be a bit more relaxed now that official duties have wrapped up.

In closing, please mark your calendars, register early, and consider bringing your employees this year. Investing in their professional development pays dividends. Even if they take away just one new idea, one networking connection, or one piece of insight—it's worth every bit of time and money spent. The knowledge shared at this convention is truly remarkable, and your teams deserve the opportunity to tap into it.

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Rodney A. Backes

President, Iowa Auctioneers Association

FFA Bid Calling Championship

Planning is well underway for the upcoming FFA Bid Calling Championship, and excitement is already building! We have several students returning from last year, along with new participants who expressed interest at the FFA State Convention in April.

Now, we need your help to spread the word. While we can email FFA chapters, those messages often go unread. The most effective way to promote this event is through personal outreach. Please connect with your local FFA instructors and make sure they know about this unique competition. Many students still aren’t aware of the opportunity, and your involvement could make the difference.

With the contest just under two months away, it’s time to encourage and mentor these young adults as they begin practicing their auction chant. If you’d like to get involved—or if you have questions—reach out to Justin Steward, Corey Fraise, or Rod Backes.

If you have students in 8th-12th grade ready to enter, click here register:

https://iowaauctioneers.org/iowa-ffa-invitational/

Please take the initiative to help make this event a success, and distribute this flyer to any of your local FFA Chapters.

https://iowaauctioneers.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2026-FFA-Promo-Flyer.pdf

Also, let us know if you’d like to be a sponsor of this event. See all the details here!

https://iowaauctioneers.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/FFA_Sponsor_Flyer_2026.pdf



Your participation matters. Let’s work together to make this year’s FFA Bid Calling Championship a success!

See you soon!

Rodney A. Backes

President, Iowa Auctioneers Association

Is Your Auction Business Ready for 2026? A Practical Year-End Checklist for Iowa Auctioneers

As 2025 winds down, now is the time for auction professionals across Iowa to pause, take stock, and make sure their business is positioned for a strong start in 2026. The pace of the industry continues to accelerate—more online platforms, more seller expectations, more regulatory considerations, and more opportunities. A simple year-end review can make all the difference heading into January.

1. Evaluate Your 2025 Auction Performance

Look back at the year’s results. Which auctions exceeded expectations? Which categories—restaurant, industrial, farm, estates—performed strongest? Identifying trends helps guide next year’s marketing and client outreach. This is also the time to review your commission structures, buyer’s premiums, and fee schedules to ensure they still fit the market.

2. Refresh Your Marketing and Online Presence

Buyers and sellers notice strong branding. Update your website content, social media pages, and business profiles. If you’ve added new services or achieved milestones in 2025, promote them. Make sure your email lists are clean and targeted, and consider whether additional advertising channels could expand your reach in 2026.

3. Review Contracts, Policies, and Compliance

A yearly review of seller contracts, terms and conditions, and internal documentation helps avoid surprises later. Laws and best practices evolve, and having clear, updated language protects both your business and your clients.

4. Check Your Technology and Equipment

Whether you run traditional, simulcast, or fully online auctions, technology is now central to your success. Review your bidding platform, photography equipment, cataloging tools, and backup systems. A small investment in upgraded equipment or software can dramatically improve efficiency.

5. Strengthen Your Relationships

Reach out to past sellers, partners, and bidders. A simple year-end thank-you note can lead to early-2026 consignments. Reinvesting in relationships is one of the most effective—and overlooked—business strategies.

As we approach 2026, take time to plan, prepare, and position your business for continued success. A strong finish to 2025 sets the stage for an even stronger year ahead for Iowa’s auction professionals.

Rodney A. Backes

President, Iowa Auctioneers Association

Invest in Your Team: Bring Them to the IAA Convention

Why Bringing Your Employees to the Iowa Auctioneers Annual Convention Is a Smart Investment

In today’s competitive auction marketplace, investing in your team is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your business. Bringing employees to the Iowa Auctioneers Association Annual Convention provides a powerful opportunity for growth, education, and long-term success.

The convention offers practical, hands-on learning that employees can apply immediately. From bid-calling instruction to sessions on marketing, laws, technology, and operational strategies, attendees gain real-world insights that help improve efficiency and performance. Even a single takeaway can drive meaningful benefits back at the office or job site.

Another key advantage is the networking and collaboration the convention fosters. Employees meet other professionals from across the state and region, exchanging ideas, learning new approaches, and forming connections that often lead to future opportunities. These relationships help broaden their understanding of the industry beyond their own workplace.

Bringing employees also boosts morale and engagement. It shows your team that you value their role and are committed to their professional development. Employees who feel supported are more motivated, loyal, and confident qualities that directly impact the success of each auction and your overall company culture.

For newer staff, attending the convention can be especially inspiring. Experiencing competitions, educational sessions, and industry mentors firsthand gives them a deeper appreciation for the profession and ignites long-term enthusiasm.

Ultimately, the benefits extend far beyond the event itself. Employees return with new ideas, refined skills, and a renewed sense of energy—positively influencing your entire organization.

Bringing your team to the Iowa Auctioneers Annual Convention isn’t just attendance—it’s an investment in your company’s future.

Rodney A. Backes

President, Iowa Auctioneers Association

A Message from Vice President

Leon Martin

As we get ready for a new year, I’m excited to share a preview of the 2026 Iowa Auctioneers Association Convention, coming up February 5–8 in West Des Moines. Our team has worked hard to build a schedule packed with meaningful education, hands-on learning, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow auction professionals.

What to Expect This Year

We begin on Thursday with a full day of real estate education provided by the Iowa Realtors—an excellent chance to earn hours and refresh your knowledge before the busy season begins.

On Friday, we welcome Mike Fisher, founder of the Redfield Group in Alabama. Mike will lead two sessions focused on profitability, partnerships, and practical strategies you can take straight back to your business. We’re also offering a new Simulcast Operator Workshop with Jordan Hansen to help auction companies stay ahead in the online marketplace. Plus, we will be presenting a high powered business growth//development panel discussion brought to you by some of the most successful leaders in the industry (watch our Facebook for more info on this exciting segment!

Friday afternoon continues with FFA bid-calling workout sessions led by David Whitaker and Jason Halburg. These have become a highlight for students interested in learning and competing, and we’re proud to support the next generation of auctioneers.

Competition & Networking

Friday evening features the Ringman Competition, Team Competition, and our Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony—always a memorable moment. Saturday includes our Rookie and Open Bid-Calling Contests, the annual membership meeting, marketing contest deadline, and the Grand Banquet followed by the President’s Party.

Join Us This February

This year’s convention offers tremendous value—education, networking, competition, and a chance to recharge with your auction family. Please register early, secure your hotel rooms, and consider bringing your staff along for the experience.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Leon Martin

Vice President, Iowa Auctioneers Association

Get ready for an unforgettable event filled with passion for the auction business, valued expertise, and the camaraderie found only at the Iowa Auctioneers Annual Convention.

• FULL DAY OF REAL ESTATE EDUCATION ON THURSDAY - Open to all auctioneers

• FRIDAY PACKED WITH TRAINING - Fundraising, business strategy, simulcast operations

• ADVANCED BID CALLING CLASS - Saturday morning with Craig Meier

• AUCTION BUSINESS MASTERCLASS - Friday morning led by Mike Fisher

• HALL OF FAME INDUCTION RECEPTION - Friday night, a can't-miss event

• FOUR COMPETITION EVENTS - Ringman, Team, Rookie, and Open Bid Calling contests

• FUN AUCTION ON SATURDAY NIGHT - Followed by the President's Party

Join Us At The 2026 IAA Convention!

agribiz.swoogo.com/auctioneers2026

*SAVE $25 IF REGISTERED BY JANUARY 1!*