Grafe Auction's Leadership Shines at the 2025 National Auction Association Conference & Show
The 2025 National Auction Association Conference & Show brought together auction professionals from across the nation for what many consider the premier event in our industry. Founded in 1949, the NAA represents the interests of thousands of auction professionals worldwide and serves as the voice of the auction profession through four cornerstone initiatives: advocacy, promotions, community, and education.
This year's conference held special significance for Grafe Auction, as our team members took on prominent leadership roles that showcased our deep commitment to advancing the auction industry. From presidential transitions to educational innovation, our involvement demonstrated how industry leadership translates directly into better service for our clients.
John Schultz's Presidential Legacy: A Year of Transformation
Leading the Association Through Innovation
As John Schultz concluded his term as NAA President, his year of leadership left a lasting impact on the association's direction. Throughout his presidency, which began in 2024, John focused on initiatives that would advance the auction profession through technological innovation, enhanced education, stronger industry relationships, policy advocacy, and public awareness campaigns.
Drawing from his experience as Grafe Auction's Chief Marketing and Technology Officer, John brought a unique perspective to association leadership during a period of significant digital evolution. His approach emphasized practical solutions that could benefit auction professionals regardless of their comfort level with new technologies.
Education remained a central focus throughout John's tenure, with efforts to create more flexible learning opportunities that could reach members across different geographic regions and career stages. This commitment to professional development reflects the same collaborative approach John brings to his work at Grafe Auction, where continuous improvement and knowledge sharing are core values.
Conference Leadership in Action
During the conference, John's leadership style was on full display as he facilitated two crucial sessions. The Town Hall Meeting provided members with direct access to NAA leadership, creating an environment of transparency where auction professionals could ask questions about the association's future direction. This open dialogue approach mirrors the communication standards we maintain with clients at Grafe Auction.
John also led the Annual Business Meeting in a new conversational format, making the traditional State of the Association address more engaging and accessible. The meeting featured a special appearance by new IRS Commissioner Billy Long, a longtime NAA member and NAA Hall of Fame member, who delivered a welcome message to attendees. This gathering also served as the venue for announcing election results.
The Passing of the Gavel
The President's Gala marked a significant moment as John passed the presidential gavel to his successor. This ceremonial transition represented not just a change in leadership, but the continuation of a vision for innovation and growth within the auction industry. John's influence will continue as Past President and Chairman of the Board, ensuring the initiatives he championed remain priorities for the association.
Judd Grafe: Stewarding the Future Through the National Auction Foundation
Election to Foundation Leadership
In a significant development for both Grafe Auction and the broader auction community, CEO Judd Grafe was elected President of the Board of Trustees of the National Auction Foundation. This appointment places Judd at the helm of the organization responsible for providing permanent funding support to the NAA and advancing the auction method of marketing.
Foundation Impact by the Numbers
The Foundation's commitment to supporting the auction profession is evident through its substantial financial contributions. Over the past decade, more than $1.4 million has been directed toward NAA projects and programs that strengthen the auction community and benefit professionals across the industry.
The Foundation focuses its efforts on two critical areas: preserving industry heritage through the National Auction Museum at NAA headquarters, which safeguards decades of auction history and serves as a comprehensive resource for researchers and professionals; and investing in future leaders through scholarship programs like the Larry McCool Scholarship and Pat Massart Scholarship for Leaders, both established in 2006 to support auction education and leadership development.
Vision for Foundation Growth
Judd's extensive business leadership experience positions him well to guide the Foundation's strategic direction. His track record of building and growing Grafe Auction over decades provides valuable insight into sustainable funding models and strategic investment in industry development. Under his leadership, we can expect the Foundation to explore new initiatives that support emerging auction professionals while strengthening the industry's foundation for future growth.
Ben Grafe: Sharing Expertise Through Education
Moderating Auction Processes: Building Sustainable Operations
As Director of Operations, Ben Grafe brought his extensive experience to the conference through his moderation of a comprehensive session on auction processes. This educational offering addressed auction professionals at all stages of business development, from those just starting to formalize their operations to established companies looking to scale growing teams.
The session provided practical tools and real-world strategies for building efficient, repeatable processes. A panel of experienced auctioneers broke down foundational systems, technology tools, and staffing models that support sustainable growth. Attendees learned about success stories, lessons learned, and actionable tips they could implement immediately, regardless of company size.
Participants left the session equipped to:
- Identify foundational systems essential to efficient auction operations
- Evaluate technology tools that support scalable growth
- Explore staffing models appropriate for various business development stages
- Apply real-world strategies to improve current operations
Co-Teaching AI for Beginners: A Collaborative Approach to Innovation
Perhaps the most forward-thinking session Ben contributed to was "AI for Beginners," which he co-taught with Russ Hilk from Fram Fram LLC. This collaboration demonstrated the power of industry professionals working together to advance auction education and innovation.
The preparation process itself proved valuable, sparking in-depth conversations between Ben and Russ about how artificial intelligence is already impacting the auction industry. These discussions helped shape a curriculum that addressed both current applications and future possibilities for AI in auction operations.
The session focused on practical, beginner-friendly applications that auction professionals could implement immediately. Attendees learned foundational concepts like large language models (LLMs) and prompt engineering, while exploring real-world use cases specific to auction operations. Popular tools like ChatGPT were demonstrated for automating performance reviews, generating tailored emails and proposals, and creating other day-to-day efficiencies.
Strong Reception and Ongoing Impact
The positive reception of the AI session exceeded expectations, with strong attendee engagement and thoughtful questions throughout the presentation. The enthusiasm continued beyond the formal session, with numerous follow-up conversations taking place throughout the rest of the conference.
What struck Ben most was the variety of ways attendees were already experimenting with AI tools in their businesses. This diversity of approaches highlighted the auction industry's innovative spirit and willingness to embrace new technologies that enhance client service and operational efficiency.
The session succeeded in providing actionable takeaways that participants could implement immediately. More than just theoretical knowledge, attendees left with a practical framework for identifying where AI could reduce workload and boost productivity in their specific auction operations.
Staying on the Leading Edge
Ben's involvement in technology education reflects Grafe Auction's broader commitment to staying at the forefront of industry innovation. By sharing our knowledge and expertise, we ensure that the entire auction profession benefits from technological advances that improve client experiences and operational efficiency.
This educational leadership directly benefits our clients, who work with a team that understands both traditional auction principles and cutting-edge technological solutions. Our commitment to continuous learning and knowledge sharing positions us to bring the best possible experience to every auction we conduct.
Industry Leadership: Why Grafe Auction's Involvement Matters
Having three team members simultaneously play prominent roles at the NAA Conference represents something special in our industry. This multi-generational involvement demonstrates Grafe Auction's deep-rooted commitment to the auction profession that spans decades of service and innovation.
John's presidential leadership, Judd's foundation stewardship, and Ben's educational contributions create a comprehensive approach to industry advancement. Each role leverages different strengths and perspectives, but all share a common goal: strengthening the auction profession for current and future practitioners.
This level of involvement reflects our belief that success in the auction industry comes not just from individual achievement, but from contributing to the collective growth and advancement of the entire profession. The relationships built through industry leadership translate directly into better networks, enhanced knowledge, and improved service capabilities for our clients.
Looking Forward: What This Means for Our Clients and the Industry
Enhanced Industry Knowledge
Our active involvement in NAA leadership and education keeps Grafe Auction connected to the latest industry trends and emerging best practices. This positioning provides our clients with access to current knowledge and valuable connections that often translate into better auction outcomes.
Our team's extensive participation in NAA activities demonstrates our dedication to the auction profession. Clients can be confident they're working with professionals who actively contribute to industry advancement while bringing cutting-edge knowledge and proven expertise to every engagement.
Conclusion
The 2025 National Auction Association Conference & Show showcased Grafe Auction's commitment to advancing the auction profession. From John's presidential legacy and Judd's foundation leadership to Ben's educational innovation, our team demonstrated how industry involvement translates into better service for our clients.
Whether you're considering an auction for commercial equipment, industrial assets, or real estate, our team brings the expertise and industry connections that come from active participation in the auction profession. We're industry leaders committed to delivering exceptional results through innovation, collaboration, and dedication to excellence.
Ready to experience the difference that industry leadership makes? Contact Grafe Auction today to discuss your auction needs and discover how our expertise can help you achieve your goals. Visit our upcoming auctions to see our services in action, or reach out to our team to start planning your next auction.