Elite Auctions Attends 64th International Auctioneers Conference and Show
July 23, 2013 – Bakersfield/Los Angeles-based fundraising auctioneers/consultants, Mike Grigg, AARE and Connie Waddell, joined their fellow auctioneers from across the world at the National Auctioneers Association’s (NAA) 64th International Auctioneers Conference and Show at the J. W. Marriott in downtown Indianapolis, July 16 – 20, 2013.
Mike graduated from the prestigious “World Champion College of Auctioneers” and is a published author of the book: “Maximizing Your Charity Event’s Bottom Line.” He has participated in many charity, benefit and fundraising auctions as an auctioneer and fundraising consultant. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing and graduated from the Fundraising Auction Academy. Mike serves as Past President and current member for the California State Auctioneers Association (CSAA).
Mike has called hundreds of auctions in California cities like Los Angeles, Bakersfield, San Diego and San Francisco, to name a few, and knows what it takes to get the buyers to competitively bid and drive the prices up while delivering a clear message about each organizations’ cause. His attention to detail and heart for each organization makes him one of the best in the business. Mike has mastered the fund-a-need and has developed many revenue enhancers to help boost his clients’ proceeds to record breaking numbers.
Mike was the 2004 California State Auctioneers Association Rookie Bid Calling Champion and was crowned the 2009 California State Auctioneer Champion. Mike began his career in the auction business in 2002 and believes that auctions are the purest form of price realization. His recent accomplishments include a charity auction to benefit Solutions for Change which raised $1.7 million, a three-day prop, costume, and set piece auction for NBC Universal‘s hit show, Battlestar Galactica presented by Propworx where almost 1,000 lots were sold, and helping a private high school in Orange County triple their previous year’s fundraiser result.
Professional Memberships:
- Past President & current member of the California State Auctioneers Association (CSAA)
- Member of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA)
- Past Board Member for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central California (Evening of Wishes Gala)
- Accredited Auctioneer of Real Estate (AARE) designated by the National Auctioneers Association
Connie Waddell is Co-Founder and CEO of Elite Auctions with specific responsibilities overseeing the general operations and marketing department. She has over 25 years experience in marketing. Her success comes from utilizing her experience and skills to zero in on the exact objective of any marketing campaign and the precise market to target. She was recently awarded first place for brochure design by the California State Auctioneers Association.
She has been recognized throughout her career as an accomplished business professional with an entrepreneurial spirit, outgoing personality, and with excellent communication and leadership skills.
Ms. Waddell graduated from the Professional Ringmen’s Institute (PRI). The Ringman (professional bid spotter) is a very important member of every live auction team whose contributions and responsibilities include an accurate interpretation of the bidder’s interest and effective communication of each bidder’s participation to her auctioneer.
While involved with several charitable organizations, two very dear to her heart are Autism Speaks and Kern Autism Network in an effort to aid her grandson, Adam, and other children on the autism spectrum.
Among dozens of educational seminars, highlights included: how to excel in any interview process with clients and companies; how to build a community of online buyers; how to transition from free to a fee with non-profit groups; and more.
Additionally, attendees took advantage of the opportunity to network with their fellow auctioneers from across the globe.
Along with industry-leading education, the annual Conference and Show also featured several exciting auction competitions. This year, the NAA celebrated the 25th anniversary of the International Auctioneer Championship (IAC) competition, which crowns the world’s top male and female auctioneers. The annual conference also included the world’s largest auction tradeshow, which provided a large, engaged consumer base. In fact, more than 900 auction professionals attended the 2013 event, making it the largest Conference and Show since 2009.
To learn more about the Fundraising Auction business visit www.EliteFundraisingAuctions.com. To view a schedule of events that were held at the 64th International Auctioneers Conference & Show, visit conferenceandshow.com
# # #
About Elite Auctions & Fundraising Services:
Elite Auctions & Fundraising Services is the premier auction and consulting company in the state of California. We provide non-profit organizations with the tools and expertise to maximize their ability to knock fundraising auction and event revenue out of the park.
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
There are many ways that a Board member can contribute to raising funds, directly and indirectly. Below is a brief list of things to keep an eye on to help Board members set themselves up for success:
