THE HAWKEYE AUCTIONEER

Quarterly E-Newsletter

WINTER 2024

Inside This Issue:

• Reflecting on a Year of Milestones and New Beginnings
• Attention Auction Professionals!
• Mark Your Calendars for the 2025 Iowa Auctioneers Convention – Jan. 30 to Feb. 1
• Help Us Support the Next Generation: Join the Auxiliary Scholarship Committee
• Three Board Seats Up for Election

View past newsletters on the IAA website:

https://iowaauctioneers.org/news/

As 2024 draws to a close, I am proud to reflect on a truly remarkable year for the Iowa Auctioneers Association. This year, we celebrated our 75th Anniversary, a testament to the legacy and strength of our organization and the incredible individuals who have built and sustained it.  

Looking to the future, we have introduced initiatives that will leave a lasting impact. In 2025, we are excited to launch a scholarship program for the families of our auctioneer members. This program is designed to support students who are graduating high school and pursuing higher education at a college or trade school, as well as those already enrolled in such programs. It is a meaningful way for us to invest in the next generation and show our commitment to the families who are integral to our community.  

Another highlight of the year is the creation of the Iowa FFA Bid Calling Invitational, a new state-level auctioneering contest for Iowa FFA students in grades 8-12. The first annual competition will be held on February 8 in conjunction with the Iowa Beef Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. We hope this event will inspire young people to explore auctioneering and help us cultivate the next generation of professionals. I encourage all our members to help promote and support this exciting new opportunity.  

As we look forward to our Annual Convention in January, we’re introducing another exciting addition: the Team Auctioneer and Ringman Contest. This event will showcase the teamwork and skills that are the hallmark of our profession.  

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our board, committees, and members for your support and dedication. Leading this association during such a significant year has been a privilege and a highlight of my career. Together, we have honored our history, celebrated our present, and laid the groundwork for a bright and promising future.  

Here’s to the continued success of the Iowa Auctioneers Association and to an exciting 2025!  

Sincerely,  

Corey Fraise  

President, Iowa Auctioneers Association  

We need your help to make the 2025 Inaugural Iowa FFA Bid Calling Invitational a success! As of now, we have nine students registered to compete, but we know there’s potential for many more. This exciting event will take place in February 2025 at the Iowa Beef Expo in Des Moines.

To expand participation, we’re asking each of you to reach out to your local (or even not-so-local) FFA chapters. Many FFA instructors may have missed or overlooked the email sent by the State of Iowa FFA about this event. Your personal outreach can ensure these students are informed about this unique opportunity.

We’ve included a link at the end of this article with all the details you’ll need to spark interest among students and their instructors. Let’s work together to inspire the next generation of auctioneers and showcase the incredible opportunities within our profession!

Thank you for your support in bringing this event to life.

Rod Backes

Vice President, Iowa Auctioneers Association

Share This Link With FFA Students, Advisors, and Families

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

Get ready for an action-packed convention like never before! This year’s event is full of fresh energy, exciting changes, and can’t-miss moments designed to inspire, educate, and entertain every auction professional. Here's the scoop:

🎯 Thursday Kickoff (January 30th):

Start strong with two top-notch CE classes for Iowa-licensed Realtors (included in your full registration!). Not a Realtor? No problem—these sessions are open to everyone.

🎉 Friday Highlights:

• Star Power! NAA’s 2025 President, John Schultz, takes the stage with mind-blowing sessions on marketing and AI.
• Ag Q&A Session: Connect with Iowa’s best auction pros across the state to tackle market trends and strategies.
• Interactive Vendor Classes: Get insider tips from online auction platforms and ask all your burning questions.
• Bid Calling Workshop: Whether you're competing or just want to polish your skills, join this lively workshop hosted by the incredible Paul and Hailey Behr (tentatively!) and past IAA champs.
• Hall of Fame Induction: Celebrate a legend in our industry at this must-see event.
• Evening Competitions:
• Ringman’s Competition—always a crowd favorite.
• NEW! Auctioneer & Ringman Team Competition. Open to ALL past IAA champions! Get your buddy and enter today!

🔥 Saturday Excitement:

• General Membership Meeting: Stay in the loop with what’s happening in your association.
• Bid Calling Competitions: Cheer on the Rookies and the Open Competitors as they battle it out! This year, the top 10 finalists in the Open head to the 2025 Iowa State Fair for the ultimate showdown.
• Grand Banquet & Awards: Celebrate excellence with an evening of awards and camaraderie. Then, keep the fun rolling at the President’s Party—it’s the perfect way to end the weekend!

This year’s convention is all about YOU—the auctioneer. From hands-on bid calling workshops to cutting-edge classes on marketing, AI, and agriculture, there’s something for everyone. Plus, with nonstop fun and networking opportunities, this event promises to be the highlight of your year.

REGISTER FOR CONVENTION

ROOM RESERVATION INFORMATION

(Book your room by Jan. 1 for discounted rate)

Don’t miss out—see you in January!

The Iowa Auctioneers Association is excited to announce the launch of a **scholarship program** beginning in 2025. This initiative aims to support the families of our auctioneer members, offering financial assistance to students who are graduating high school and pursuing higher education at a college or trade school, or those already enrolled in such programs.  

To ensure the success of this program, we are seeking **3-5 members or spouses of members** to serve on an **auxiliary scholarship committee**. This committee will play a vital role in reviewing applications and recommending a deserving scholarship recipient to the board.  

Serving on the committee is a meaningful way to contribute to the future of our community while fostering opportunities for the next generation. It’s a chance to make a direct impact on the lives of our members’ families.  

If you are interested in being part of this committee or learning more about what it entails, please plan to attend the **Annual Membership Meeting** at the Convention. We hope to discuss this initiative in more detail and identify volunteers who share our vision for supporting educational growth within our association.  

Your time and insight can help shape a brighter future for our youth. Let’s work together to make this program a success!  

During the Annual Membership Meeting on Saturday, Feb.1 at 10 AM, members will vote to fill three Board of Directors seats that will become available.  

Serving on the board is a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of our association while gaining deeper insights into the auction industry. The board meets quarterly at the association’s office in Des Moines, allowing members to balance their professional and personal commitments with this rewarding role.  

If you’re interested in running for one of these seats, we encourage you to reach out to current President Corey Fraise to share your interest. Corey or another member of the association can formally nominate you during the meeting.  

This is your chance to help shape the future of the Iowa Auctioneers Association, collaborate with fellow professionals, and give back to the community that has supported you. Let’s work together to ensure the continued strength and success of our organization.