Oregon auctioneer named first runner up
in N.A.A. auctioneer championship

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Norfolk, Virginia - JillMarie Wiles won the first-runner up title in July of 2000 after a 12-hour competition, which featured both bid-calling and public interview portions. Winners were determined by scores from seven judges from across the United States, all of whom were involved with the auction industry. Sixty-three men and 14 women participated in the contest.

The contest first featured a preliminary round of bid-calling in front of contestants' peers, the public and the media. Each contestant auctioned three items and their performance was scored. After the preliminary round of bid-calling, the field was narrowed to finalists.

Finalists then participated in a public interview session, each answering the same three questions posed by a moderator. After the interviews, contestants participated in a final round of bid-calling. Champions were determined by combining bid-calling and interview scores, which were each worth 50 percent of the total.

During the bid-calling portions of the contest, participants were scored on their initial command and poise; their ability to survey the crowd and make eye contact; their auction chant, including its clarity, speed, rhythm and timing; and a variety of other elements. Interview scores were based on confidence, articulation and the substance of responses, in addition to other elements.

As first runner-up, Wiles received a trophy. Other portions of her prize include NAA membership dues for one year, free basic registration for one NAA Convention and one NAA seminar, and waiver of entry fee for next year's International Auctioneer Championship contest. That contest will be held in July 2001 in Boise, Idaho.

More than 1,200 auctioneers, their staffs, guests, spouses and families gathered in Norfolk July 18-22 to attend the NAA's annual convention, which is held in a different region of the country each year. The convention was held at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott/Convention Center. Highlights include educational sessions, a Trade Show, the championship and banquets.

The National Auctioneers Association is a nearly 6,000-member organization dedicated to advancing the auction method of marketing. It features an award-winning website, www.auctioneers.org, which contains information about the association and the auction industry. The website also features searchable databases of NAA members and upcoming auctions.

The 2000 Women's Division Champion is Amy E. Sparks of Alex, Okla., while the second runner-up was Jill Doherty of Bay Shore, N.Y. The Men's Division Champion was Mike Espe of Elburn, Ill., with the first runner-up Troy Orr of Ypsilanti, N.D., and the second runner-up Brent Earlywine of Auburn, Indiana.