Braun & Helmer Auction Service

News Article

The MSAA Convention 2006

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – When the National Auctioneers Association recently reported the value of goods and services sold at live auctions reached $240.2 billion in 2005, a $23 billion increase over 2004 live auction gross sales, auctioneers everywhere had something to smile about. These figures also had the Michigan State Auctioneers Association members smiling during their annual convention Jan. 25-27 at the Holiday Inn Mt. Pleasant.

“This strong growth of 10.6 percent in 2005 shows that the live auction method is a successful and desired method of marketing for buyers and sellers and that the auction industry continues its steady growth,” said Dennis Kruse, NAA president and member of the MSAA.

Newly elected MSAA president David Helmer of Braun & Helmer Auction Service agrees and told The Auction Exchange and Collectors News he is looking forward to what 2006 has to bring. “I’m committed to the MSAA and am happy we are represented at both the national and state levels,” he said. “Dennis Kruse is a member and president of the NAA, Bill Sheridan is the NAA president-elect and an active MSAA Hall of Fame member; Jim Littlejohn is a NAA director and MSAA member, along with NAA vice president Tommy Williams. It’s an exciting time.”

The MSAA elected five new people to the board of directors Jan. 25, which now includes Helmer as president; Mike Furlo, chairman of the board; Mike Bliss, president-elect; Doug Heuker, vice president; Becky Lawrence, secretary/treasurer; Tricia Wiltjer, executive director; Joseph Merkel, director; Doug Sheridan, director; Jerry Glassman, director; Frank Leist, director; Lee Smittendorf, director; Dennis Beals, director; Wayne Blair, director; and Joe Phillips, director.

“It’s a great board,” said Helmer. “We really have the ball rolling. It’s a young group, which gives it a different feel, and they’re willing to work hard and get things done.”

Helmer said Doug Sheridan and Joe Phillips, who serve on the education committee, are already in the process of planning an exciting lineup of presenters for the summer seminar. “We really want to crank it up a notch,” said Helmer, who’s looking to attract many new MSAA members to the seminar.

With interest in auctions on the rise, the MSAA members believe continuing education for auctioneers is important. Throughout the convention, 12 seminars were offered on topics such as Capture and Hold Your Audience by NAA board member John Hines; Bid Management by MSAA member and auctioneer Richard Brodie; How to Put Together a Successful Advertisement by Lorri Egan, advertising manager for The Auction Exchange; and Auction Rarities – Identification and Evaluation by MSAA member and auctioneer Joseph Merkel.

“I believe this was one of the most successful conventions, particularly because of the quality of the speakers,” said Helmer. The most enjoyable presentation for most attendees I think was Perspectives from Space by astronaut Jack Lousma, and that was followed up by another great seminar by John Hines.”

More than 150 auctioneers, associates and their families also got the chance to network with one another and show their bid-calling skills throughout the event. They came together Jan. 26 for the MSAA Bid Calling Championships and Fun Auction, where 20 men and women auctioneers tested their talent. The finalists were narrowed down to Beth Rose of Beth Rose Auctions in Maumee, Ohio; Dan Samson of Col. Dan Samson Auctioneer in Escanaba, Mich.; David Helmer of Braun and Helmer Auction Service Inc. of Saline, Mich.; Donna Tuttle of Lets Talk Auction Co. of Mio, Mich.; Frank Leist of Frank Leist Michigan Auction and Appraisal Service; and Michael Vinecki of Vinecki Auction Service. At the end of the night, Helmer was named the 2006 MSAA Bid Calling Champion and went away with a trophy, gold championship ring, and he will represent Michigan in the International Auctioneer Championships in Orlando, Fla., in July.

“I was absolutely surprised,” said Helmer. “I knew I did good, but I didn’t think I would win. It was a goal of mine to become the Bid Calling Champion by the time I was 40, and I’m 30. At this convention I was more preoccupied than I’ve ever been making sure everything went smoothly. I was so tired by the evening of the Bid Calling Championships, but I think it caused me to be more relaxed.”

Throughout the convention, those who’ve worked hard in the auctioneering business and have been active with the MSAA were also recognized. Lee Smittendorf of Smittendorf Auctions was inducted into the MSAA Hall of Fame. Longtime friend and auctioneer Jerry Glassman of Glassman Auctions presented the history of Smittendorf’s 40 years of service to the MSAA. “Auctioneering is a tough business to break into,” said Glassman during his presentation. “Understanding this, he (Smittendorf) consistently mentored and supported new auctioneers and auctioneers striving to improve. Whether an auctioneer needs to borrow equipment, work at one or many of his auctions to gain experience, have a sympathetic and confidential, problem-solving ear or just have someone in the audience to cheer during the bid calling contest, you can bet he will be there.”

Smittendorf received a standing ovation for serving two terms as a member of the MSAA Board of Directors, contributing many articles to the Gavel and encouraging other auctioneers to take on leadership roles.

Inducted into the MSAA Auxiliary Hall of Fame was Dorothy Albrecht of Albrecht Auction Service LLC of Vassar, Mich. For nearly 30 years, Albrecht has been involved in the auxiliary and held “all positions.” She was inducted into the NAA Auxiliary Hall of Fame in July 2005. Albrecht continues to be active in Albrecht Auction Service as well. “I’ve helped as a cashier, clerk, secretary and bookkeeper, and with the setup of auctions,” she said in an August 2005 interview with The Auction Exchange and Collectors News. “I’m involved in all ways, but not auctioneering. I’m usually the cashier now because that’s what I enjoy the most, sometimes I help out as a clerk when I’m needed. I prefer being the cashier because I like visiting with the people and getting acquainted with friends.”

June Wilbur, wife of auctioneer Garth Wilbur, presented Albrecht with the award and said, “She (Albrecht) is a driving force behind this association.”

The Auxiliary celebrated its 50th anniversary at the convention with a display booth with pictures from the past, old newsletters and other memorabilia. Continuing with the 50th anniversary theme, the Auxiliary created centerpieces with small toys and candy first made in the 1950s for the convention’s awards banquet. They were auctioned off with other donated items for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at the end of the banquet, raising almost $3,000. Also honored were Thomas Lawrence of All American Auction Service and Lavern Yutzy of Yutzy Auction Service, who were presented with the 2006 scholarship awards.

For more information about the MSAA and the auction industry in Michigan, visit www.msaa.org or call (616) 785-8288.
3/9/2006