Auction Associations

Auction sign and gavel.

An association is a gathering of like-minded individuals, usual with a common mission, interest, or goal. For that reason, you'll likely find there is an association for just about everyone and everything, auctioneers and auctions included. Auction associations typically fall into three categories: national, regional, and goods-specific.

National

The National Auctioneers Associations, or the NAA, was founded in Overland Park, Kansas, in 1949 and is the world's largest professional association of auctioneers. The NAA was built by auctioneers, for auctioneers. From their website, their mission is "To promote the professionalism of auctioneers and auctions through education and technology." They aim to equalize the auctioneers playing field by providing educational opportunities across the country, oversee quality and professionalism, and promote new technologies for auctioneers." They are the primary body for national representation of auctioneers.

Regional

Unlike the NAA, regional auction representation is numerous, with an auction association for virtually every state in the United States, several for regions of Canada, and several more that are city or county specific. The California State Auctioneers Association is one such organization. Their goal is similar to that of the NAA, in that they strive to promote education and technology in the auctions and oversee quality.

Goods-Specific

Many auction association also oversee on-line auction proceedings.

Goods-specific auction association focus solely on the goods that are being auctioned. For example, the National Auto Auction Association focuses on the practice and craft of automobile auctions. They've developed a nationally recognized rating and grading system for cars that are going to be auctioned and oversee a best-practice formula to ensure honesty and quality in all sales. They are not regional but national, though there are goods-specific auction associations that tend towards regions, such as those that deal with farm land, or boats and ships.

Advice

If you are looking for an auction association specific to a region or good, there are several on-line resources that can help. Many, if not most, auctions are overseen by a regulatory board or association. Nationalauctionlist.com is a great resource to find auctions in your area. From a particular auction, a little light inquiry will usually reveal what body or association is sponsoring or promoting that particular auction.

References

• National Auctioneers Association
• National Auto Auction Associations
• California State Auctioneers Association
• National Auction List