I just returned from a terrific week at the Certified Auctioneer’s Institute in Bloomington, Indiana. You might have noticed the letters “CAI” following an auctioneer’s name in an auction ad. You will only see this designation in connection with professional auctioneers. These letters indicate that the auctioneer has completed a three year program of advanced auction education. This program is held at Indiana University in Bloomington Indiana and enrollment is limited to professional auctioneers with several years of experience in the auction business.

This was my second year in the program. I attended courses in Auction Law, Real Estate Marketing, Interpersonal Communication, Auction Technology and others. In addition to the classes, one of the other main benefits is the opportunity to meet professionals from other parts of the country. Surprisingly often, an auctioneer will find an opportunity in another state and will be able to team up with a fellow CAI auctioneer to hold an auction. My classmates were from Texas, Wisconsin, Indiana, South Dakota, Illinois, California, New York, Maryland, Ontario, New Hampshire, Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Mississippi, Alberta, and Georgia.

I am coming back full of ideas which I hope to include in our auction business here in Northfield.