The Auctioneers Association of Maryland held it’s Annual Winter Conference on January 19-20, 2025, at the Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland, and was host to both the Maryland and Mid Atlantic Bid Calling Championships sponsored by “GoToAuction” and “Bid Wrangler”. Taking the title of Maryland Bid Calling Champion was David Yearsley of Hurlock, Maryland with James Sexton and Brian Warfield placing second and third, respectively. The Mid Atlantic Bid Calling Champion was awarded to Brian Burke II of Meshoppen, PA with Zachary Younker and James Sexton placing second and third, respectively. The Auctioneers Association of Maryland “Auctioneer of the Year” was awarded to Seth Shipley of Hamstead, MD.

The two-day event included speakers on a variety of topics related to: Current Auction Trends; Sportsmen-Related Auctions; Current & Updated Laws and Regulations affecting Auctions; Estates and Probates; Protecting Assets; Key Factors when Selling Jewelry, Coins and Currency; and Improving Auctioneering with presentations from International Auctioneer Champions; and a host of networking opportunities. The Auctioneers Association of Maryland will again host the Maryland and Mid Atlantic Bid Calling Championships during its’ 2026 Conference to be held January 16-17, 2026. The conference is open to any individual involved in auctions from any State. Auctioneers who conduct auctions in Maryland are encouraged to join the Auctioneers Association of Maryland and may obtain additional information at www.mdauctioneers.org.

The Auctioneers Association of Maryland was host to the 2024 Mid Atlantic Bid Calling Championship and the Maryland Bid Calling Championships in January, 2024 and was sponsored by “GoToAuction”.  Taking top honors as the 2024 Mid Atlantic Bid Calling Champion was Spencer Karnes of Bedford, Pennsylvania.  Second Place was awarded to Ben Roes of Jarrettsville, MD, and taking third place was David Gossert of Chambersburg, PA.  In the Maryland Auctioneer Bid Calling Championship, taking top honors as the 2024 Maryland Bid Calling Champion was Ben Roes of Jarrettsville, MD; second was Brian Warfield and third place award to James Sexton.

Recent Awards and Recognition

Denny Stouffer was inducted into the Auctioneers Association of Maryland’s Hall of Fame during the 2022 Winter Conference.

Ira Drury was awarded Lifetime Membership into the Auctioneers Association of Maryland

Jason Farrell of Mechanicsville, Maryland won the 2022 Maryland Bid Calling Championship and was Reserve Champion Mid Atlantic Bid Calling Champion held in Ocean City in January, 2022.

Linford Berry of Dayton, Virginia, won the 2022 Mid Atlantic Bid Calling Championship held in Ocean City, Maryland in January, 2022.