Auctioneers from Minnesota and Oregon Take Top
Titles in International Auctioneer Championship

PITTSBURGH, PA. – They competed with the best of the best and they came out champions. Two auctioneers were crowned international bid-calling champions at the 17th annual International Auctioneer Championship (IAC) held Friday, July 22 in Pittsburgh, Pa. The event was part of the 56th International Auctioneers Conference and Show sponsored by the National Auctioneers Association (NAA).
Cary Aasness, Dalton, Minn., captured the Men’s Division International Auctioneer Champion title and Johnna Wells, Portland, Ore., took the Women’s Division International Auctioneer Champion title. They join an elite group of 28 other professional auctioneers who have earned the coveted title since the competition began in 1988. This year’s event drew a record number of 90 competitors who vied for the titles.

Aasness has been a professional auctioneer for more than 20 years. This was his sixth time to compete in the IAC, but winning bid-calling titles are not new to him. He is the 1992 Minnesota State Champion Auctioneer, the 1999 North Dakota State Champion Auctioneer and the 1997 Reserve All-Around World Champion. His auction company, Aasness Auctioneers, specializes in general and real estate auctions.

Wells is a second generation auctioneer and believes auctioneering is “the greatest profession in the world.” Her company, Talbot Auctions & Fundraising, specializes in benefit auctions. This was her second IAC event. She holds the 2003 Northwest Rookie Champion Auctioneer title.

First runner-up in the men’s division was Eli Detweiler, Jr., CAI, of Ruffin, N.C.. Second runner-up was C.D. “Butch” Booker, of Colfax, Wash. In the women’s division, B.J. Jennings, CAI, of York Haven, Pa., was named first runner-up, and JoEllen Taylor, CAI, of Orlando, Fla., was named second runner-up.

Contestants were judged on the clarity, speed and rhythm of their chant, plus their appearance, poise, body language and eye contact with the crowd. Finalists in the competition also underwent an interview process.

As champions, Aasness and Wells both received $10,000 cash prizes, a championship trophy and signature ring. They will spend the coming year serving as ambassadors for the auction industry.

For more information on the IAC or to view past IAC winners in action, go to the IAC Video Showcase on the NAA website, www.auctioneers.org (click on “About NAA and then “Awards and Honors.”)

With more than 6,200 members from throughout the world, the National Auctioneers Association is the largest organization of its kind dedicated to promoting the auction method of marketing and enhancing the professionalism of its members. Member benefits range from federal legislative representation to comprehensive continuing education programs, including coursework to earn the following professional designations: Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI), Accredited Auctioneer, Real Estate (AARE), Graduate, Personal Property Appraiser (GPPA) and Certified Estate Specialist (CES). For more information on NAA and its programs, log on to www.auctioneers.org .