Event.Gives Takes On the National Auctioneers Association Conference 2022

At Event.Gives, we are a team of Fanatics who partner with and support the amazing benefit auctioneers of the nonprofit world. We also pride ourselves on working with these auctioneer partners to connect with great organizations and event managers. A total collaboration enables us all to learn from one another and succeed together to make our events and organizations more successful than we could alone. This year, Event.Gives is excited to be the premier sponsor for the National Auctioneers Association Conference and Show of 2022.

The National Auctioneers Association, also known as the NAA, is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to representing the interests of auction professionals across a multitude of industries. Launched in 1949, this membership-based group provides a community for its members geared towards facilitating educational programming and resources in order to help advance its members in their careers. 

Since their inauguration 73 years ago, the NAA has hosted this conference annually, allowing it to become the premier event in which professional auctioneers learn, grow, and network with their peers across the industry. Each conference delivers educational sessions and networking opportunities, as well as the International Auctioneer Championship.

This year’s conference is being held in San Diego, California from July 26th to 30th and Event.Gives will have a presence like never before.

Here’s what to expect!

Why You Should Attend 

The conference gives attendees the opportunity to network with industry leaders and partners from not just across the country, but around the globe. The first three days of the conference include educational speaking sessions led by 20+ keynote speakers and some of the industry’s best instructors. 

The NAA ‘Person of Interest’ speaker this year is Coach Michael Burt, known by many as America’s Coach and the #1 leading authority in activation of PREY DRIVE. Attendees can expect his enthusiasm, unique style, and intentional methods to drive them to dream bigger, think harder, and perform at a higher level than ever before. 

When participants aren’t attending a workshop or a speaker session, they can spend time browsing the ongoing trade show with 43 different sponsors and exhibitors showcasing their latest products and services. 

Whether you’re an auctioneer, an event organizer, or vendor support person - there is something for everyone to learn and take away from this conference.

Networking Opportunities

‍The many networking opportunities are one of, if not the best, benefits of attending the NAA Conference. They are kicking off with a tiki-themed welcome party where attendees can enjoy a fun-filled environment. There will also be multiple breakfasts, lunches, and cocktail hours each day that are focused on reconnecting with old friends and facilitating new professional relationships. 

The NAA has around 4,000 members, many of whom will be in attendance along with vendors and sponsors - all who bring a specific expertise or resources that you can learn or benefit from.

Prioritizing these networking events will set you up for success. You never know who you might meet or what you will learn outside of the educational setting!

The Star of the Show: International Auctioneer Championship 

One of the most exciting parts of the conference is the International Auctioneer Championship (IAC). This event takes place on the last day of the conference, bringing the best auctioneers from around the world together to compete against each other. 

The IAC is a 3-round competition that begins with an initial mock auction. Finalists are then sent to an interview round, and finish with a second and final mock auction where they are scored on the following categories:

• Presentation
• Chant
• Effectiveness
• Response
• Ambassador Presence 

Unlike the other major auctioneer competitions in the industry, IAC has both men’s and women's divisions, giving it a unique distinction. 

The competition is fierce and the winnings are extensive. There is a winner crowned for each division, meaning both a men’s and women's champion. Each winner receives $5,000 in cash, celebratory luncheons, and dinners for recognition, as well as responsibilities within the NAA for the next 12 months. Becoming a winner of the IAC is an accolade of a lifetime for an auctioneer. 

By attending the NAA conference, you get the unique opportunity to either observe or participate in this competition of excellence.

Run, Don’t Walk, to the NAA Conference 2022!

For 73 years, the NAA Conference has proven to be an amazing experience for learning, networking, and bringing together the great minds and personalities of the auctioneering world. It’s known and celebrated to create connections that will last a lifetime. 

If you are an auctioneer and you want to be successful, you need to be at this conference! 

If you’re lucky enough to be attending this year, make sure to stop by the Event.Gives booth, 23 and 28 (because one booth just couldn’t contain our excitement!), and meet with our team! Our Head of Partnerships, Kandice Luisi, will be there with her signature smile and enthusiasm along with a few other EG team members who want to see you! As a premier sponsor of the NAA Conference, we are more excited than ever!

This year we plan to raffle off an entire Go-Pro kit, and will have a prize board where you are able to win some high value Event.Gives branded items. 

We cannot wait to see our current partners and better yet, meet our future auctioneer partners!