The Ascent Auction team is proud to be a part of, involved in, and hold memberships and designations in the following organizations!
National Auctioneers Association (NAA)
Founded in 1949, NAA is the world’s largest professional association dedicated to auction professionals. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., the NAA represents the interests of thousands of auction professionals in the U.S., Canada and across the world.
The NAA is a membership-based organization and represents a range of auction professionals who service a variety of industries. The association is dedicated to providing its members with educational programming and resources to help them advance themselves and, in turn, the industry. Members of the NAA abide by a strict Code of Ethics and are connected with an extensive network of auction professionals.
Montana Auctioneers Association (MAA)
The Montana Auctioneers Association was founded in 1961-1962 by a small group of state auctioneers. The ultimate purpose of the association was to aid member auctioneers to improve auctioneering skills and to grow in the auction profession. This purpose has not changed.
For many years, the State Association supported a reciprocal agreement with the National Auctioneers Association, with membership in both associations a requirement. Although this requirement no longer exists, the Montana Association continues to support the goals, objectives, and activities of the NAA. The state bylaws, goals, and objectives are closely linked to those of the National Association.
Livestock Marketing Association
Founded in 1947, LMA is a national, member-led professional organization that works as an advocate for the livestock marketing industry and provides a voice on state and federal legislative and regulatory issues. We represent over 80 percent of all viable, regular-selling (minimum 1 sale per week) livestock markets in the United States.
LMA provides its members with legal assistance, public policy representation, industry information, credit reporting, business services and an array of insurance products, and hosts the annual World Livestock Auctioneer Championship, the largest, most respected and widely recognized international livestock auctioneering contest.
Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI)
The professional designation is awarded to practicing auctioneers who meet the experiential, educational and ethical standards set by the NAA Education Institute. In order to be granted the CAI designation, auctioneer scholars must have been practicing full-time auctioneers for at least two year (prior to attending the institute), attend all three years of CAI with more than 120 classroom hours, complete all special projects and complete 24 hours of continuing education every three years.
Auction Marketing Management (AMM)
A professional designation awarded by the NAA Education Institute to help professional auctioneers understand today’s marketing, both technology-based and traditional. To attain the AMM designation, auctioneer-scholars are required to complete 20 classroom hours, complete a custom auction summary report based on knowledge from the designation course, and complete 24 hours of continuing education every three years.
International Auctioneer Championship (IAC)
The International Auctioneers Championship (IAC) is an annual competition for professional auctioneers from around the world. The competition is organized by the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) and features a variety of categories, including real estate, automobiles, and livestock.
The IAC provides a platform for auctioneers to showcase their skills and knowledge, as well as to network with other professionals in the industry. The competition also promotes the auction method of marketing, which is an efficient and effective way of selling goods and services.
The International Auctioneers Championship is a highly respected event in the auction industry and attracts top talent from around the world. It provides an opportunity for auctioneers to improve their skills and knowledge, as well as to showcase their abilities to potential clients and colleagues.
Benefit Auction Specialist (BAS)
A professional designation awarded by the NAA Education Institute designed to teach professional auctioneers the planning techniques that create successful benefit auctions. BAS auctioneers learn marketing skills and create a business strategy to build their clientele and profits. In order to be designated with the BAS, auctioneer-scholars are required to complete 24 classroom hours, submit a detailed written auction summary report, provide proof of at least six benefit auctions or fundraising events and complete 24 hours of continuing education every three years.