It was a lot of fast talking going on at the Mississippi Auctioneers Association annual convention and bid calling championships April 3 in Jackson. This year, about two dozen industry leaders were in attendance and auctioneers raised hundreds of dollars to be donated to Blaire E. Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson.

The Association raised the money during its annual convention held in Jackson at the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association Convention Center through its Mississippi State Auctioneer Championships where contestants auctioned items donated by members. When the final gavel fell, Jeff Martin took home the top honor as the 2017 Mississippi State Champion Auctioneer. Martin is President and CEO of Jeff Martin Auctioneers in Brooklyn. David Hegwood of Brandon was awarded the distinction of Mississippi State Rookie Auctioneer Champion. Hegwood is an auctioneer and real estate agent for Nick Clark Auctions in Madison. Martin and Hegwood competed with other auctioneers from around the state in front of a panel of judges for the titles scored on introduction, ability to engage the audience, use of hand gestures and body language, speed and rhythm of chant, use of eye contact, knowledge of the items to be auctioned and overall presentation.

The annual conference is the most anticipated event of the MAA’s year, as members and non-members alike gather together to hear world class guest speakers, network with like-minded professionals, elect officers and directors, and attend the spectacular bid-calling competition known as the Mississippi Auctioneer Championship.

For more information about the Mississippi Auctioneers Association, visit mississippiauctioneers.org.

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