The Auctioneers Association of Ontario, a volunteer group of professionals who strive to bring consistency and sound business practices to the auction industry through a standard Code of Ethics and Bylaws, held its Annual Convention and Bid-Calling Competition in Cambridge on February 18-21st at the Holiday Inn Hotel The theme of the 2010 Convention was “Achieving Success”. AAO represents some 150 members in Ontario.
The Bid-Calling Competition was held at Grand Valley Auctions on King Street in Cambridge
The pinnacle of the weekend was the Ontario Championship Competition, declaring Gary Jantzi of Wellesley,Ontario, the Champion Bid-Caller this year. Auctioneers in the competition are judged on their ability to sell items in front of a live bidding audience. A variety of auction chants and styles are displayed throughout the competition, along with judging based on the individual ability of the competitor on how they scan the crowd to pick up bids, clarity, overall presentation and the ultimate question, “Would I hire this auctioneer to work for me?”.
The Championship trophy was sponsored by the Ontario Farmer publication and the Gold Ring by the Woodbridge Advertiser. The runner up was Dan Coulthard of St. Pauls, Ontario.
In the Novice division, Greg Kuepfer of New Hamburg was declared the Champion with John Lewis of Brampton as the runner up. The awards for this class were donated by the Canadian Auction College.
The Auctioneers also had seminars on topics of Online selling, HST and the Auction, Use of Bailiffs, a Ringman Seminar and MNR ‘s regulations on sales.
Next year’s Convention will be held at the Casa Blanca Winery Inn, Grimsby on Feb.24-27, 2011 with President Ken Sheward’s 2KS Auction Services as the host for the Bid-Calling Championship.
The Auctioneers Association of Ontario was founded in 1984. It is the voice of all Auction Professionals in the Province of Ontario. It pursues excellence in the Auction industry through a combination of legislative programs, uniform standards of professional practice, professional development and a Code of Ethics, designed to ensure the highest quality of service to the public.
