AUBURN, IND. - Sixteen auctioneers from across the United States gathered last week in Auburn, Ind., to discuss the auction profession and brainstorm strategies to build on the future.

Michael Hoffman, Auctioneer of Pickerington, Ohio was among a select group invited to attend the first ever "Think Tank" session sponsored by the National Auctioneers Association (NAA). Attendees were the "cream of the crop" from across the United States and Canada, including 2 past presidents of NAA (Rob Doyle & John Roebuck), the current president (Dennis Kruse), the president-elect (Bill Sheridan), and the vice president (Tommy Williams).

"Our goal in conducting this Think Tank session was to garner information from some of our professionals to help pave a bright future for the next generation of auctioneers," said Dennis Kruse, CAI, NAA president, who planned and coordinated the event.

"It was a distinct pleasure and honor to be selected to participate in such a ground breaking event. The wealth of knowledge shared in our sessions, such as real estate auction techniques and technology usage, will hopefully help blaze a trail for future auctioneers to follow as a guide to having more successful auctions and promoting a positive image of our profession," said Michael Hoffman, Auctioneer.

One of the topics explored by the Think Tank group was "If NAA was to develop and host an 'Innovation Center,' what should be considered and what would it look like?" Other topics included real estate auctions, benefit auctions, and live Internet auctions – all of which are growing segments in the auction industry.

Results of the meeting will be shared with the NAA Board of Directors and with NAA committees for future input and work.

Auctions are one of the most historic and popular forms of buying and selling goods, and the industry continues to grow each year. An ongoing research study overseen by the NAA shows that gross revenues during the first three quarters of 2005 increased 4.75 percent from the same period in 2004. If this trend continues, the auction industry will contribute nearly $227.5 billion to the 2005 economy.

This study has also found that auctioneers are finding even more opportunities in real estate. Gross revenue from residential real estate auctions grew 8.2 percent compared to the same time last year. The value of all residential real estate sold at auction in 2005 is estimated at $13.1 billion. While revenue from commercial and industrial real estate auctions and vacant land and agricultural real estate auctions remained largely unchanged, real estate auctions remain on pace to top $48 billion in gross revenue for 2005.

Michael Hoffman & Associates offers a variety of real estate and auction services in the central Ohio market, including traditional real estate listings and buyer representation, real estate auctions, estate auctions, business liquidations, personal property appraisals and fund-raising events.

For more information, you may contact Auctioneer Michael Hoffman directly at (614) 866-6512, or by visiting his Web site at www.spiffyauctions.com.