About the Bid Calling Contest

On Wednesday, January 14, 2009, nearly two dozen of the best auctioneers in the state competed for the coveted title of the 2009 Pennsylvania Bid Calling Champion. The competition drew men and women from across the state and was open to all Pennsylvania-licensed auctioneers who reside in the Commonwealth and have not previously won the competition. The competition is held in conjunction with the annual Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association Conference and takes place at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show in Harrisburg, the largest indoor agricultural exhibition in the nation.

Michael Weaver of Allenwood, Union County, PA, garnered the prestigious "Pennsylvania Auctioneer Champion." He competed with other talented auctioneers to be the best bid caller in the state as well as for the top prize of cash, a large silver trophy and paid registration at the International Auctioneer Championship set for July 2009 in Kansas City. The first runner-up is Lee Allen Hostetter of Beaver Falls, Beaver County.

The PAA also named a "Rookie Auctioneer Champion," an individual who has been licensed as an auctioneer less than two years. This honor was bestowed on William R. Omalacy, Jr., of Smithfield, Fayette County.

A portion of the proceeds from the contest and benefit auction went to St Jude's Hospital in Memphis, TN, the prime beneficiary of the National Auctioneers Association and auctioneers across the country, as well as the Farm Show Scholarship Fund to support students entering the agricultural field

The auctioneers were judged by a panel of eight judges: six auctioneer judges, including the 2008 champion, John M. Hess, of Lancaster County; Randy A. Wells, National Auctioneers Association President; and a representative from Antiques & Auction News, a nationally known weekly antique, auction and collecting newspaper from Mount Joy, PA.

The contestants were judged not only on his or her bid calling ability, but also on overall presentation, speech, appearance, and salesmanship. Each auctioneer was allowed a maximum of three minutes to demonstrate his or her ability.

(Please scroll down for more photos of the Bid Calling Contest)



Mike Weaver was named the
2009 Bid Calling Champion


TOP 10 FINALISTS 2009
Place
Name
City
1st PlaceMichael P. WeaverAllenwood

2nd Place

Lee Alan HostetterBeaver Falls
3rd Place Michael MartinNew Holland
4th Place Matt HostetterBeaver Falls
5th Place Chet GeyerPennsburg
6th Place C. Ivan StoltzfusHoney Brook
7th Place Bill Omalacy (Rookie Champion)Smithfield
8th Place Jeff PenningtonNew Castle
9th Place John Carl, Jr.
10th Place James FishelStevens


PAA Bid Calling Champions
from 1980 - 2009

1980John LindleyProsperity
1981Richard MoyerReading
1982 * Mark RohalyPleasant Unity
1983Harry AndersonGeorgetown
1984Robert ClintonOttsville
1985James Gibson, Sr.Pottstown
1986Kerry A. PaeHarrisburg
1987 *Larry Lefever, Sr.Quarryville
1988David YearsleyKemblesville
1989Ed MillerYork
1990Ken HansellPerkiomenville
1991Bradley Smith Brogue
1992Sherman Hostetter, Jr.Beaver Falls
1993Michael Fortna Annville
1994Gerald Pennay, Jr.Hop Bottom
1995Nevin RentzelYork
1996C. Sherman AllenConneaut Lake
1997Frank TrunzoApollo
1998John Rutt IIEphrata
1999Thomas AbruzzeseBath
2000Mark FerryLatrobe
2001Randy BettonGreensburg
2002Ryan GroffManheim
2003H. Brent SouderSellersville
2004Matthew S. HurleyGreencastle
2005B. J. JenningsYork Haven
2006Tim RoccoMcKean
2007David ConleyYork
2008John HessManheim
2009Michael P. WeaverAllenwood


PAA Rookie Bid Calling Champions
from 2005 - 2009

2005Phil Grosh York Haven
2006Matt Hostetter Beaver Falls
2007Kylee Hostetter ReederBeaver Falls
2008Michael MorrisElizabethtown
2009William R. Omalacy, Jr.Smithfield

* Deceased



Mike Calvert, Dan Trace, and Mike Weaver

Lee Alan Hostetter, Dan Trace, & Mike Weaver

Nevin Rentzel

Rookie Champ, William R. Omalacy, Jr.

John Hess

Bid Calling Competition Judges

Bid Calling Competition Judges

Competitors wait their turn

Chair, Mike Calvert (left) with staff and competitors

Wil Hahn and Mike Calvert

Dan Trace

BJ Jennings

Current and Past PAA Presidents, Bill Anderson Sr. & Dan Trace

Fellow auctioneers turn out in support

The vote counting was checked and rechecked

Auction Flex reps clerking the auction
Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association
P. O. Box 299 * Elysburg, PA 17824
800-577-6801 * Fax: 570-672-9618
E-Mail:
info@paauctioneers.org