02/10/2026
Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association
Honors many at the 78th Annual Conference
& Trade Show
One of the largest Auctioneer Associations in the U.S. gathered in January for an annual conference in Harrisburg, PA. The Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association is brimming with individuals who are passionate about auctions. Several members were honored during this annual event. Outgoing PAA President, Mike Calvert of Linesville, PA handed off the gavel to the new 2026 PAA President, Brian Oberholtzer of Reinolds, PA. Brian Oberholtzer was chairperson of a very successful conference with hundreds of auctioneers, apprentices, auction students, support personnel, vendors, presenters, and guests in attendance. The event took place on January 13th through January 16th at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey.
Conference participants had access to many educational seminars during the course of the event that will allow them to better serve their buyers and sellers. Continuing education units were available to auctioneers to maintain advanced auctioneer certifications or auctioneer licenses held in other states requiring education. The conference kicked off with a fun and free session Tuesday evening of Networking and Stories. Throughout the event there was a wide range of diverse and numerous seminars by industry leaders including a Bid Calling workshop from several past PA Champions: Matthew Hostetter, J. Meryl Stoltzfus and Colin McPeak; A Practical Interpretation of our Auction Law presented by Patrick Morgan; Ethics and Professionalism presented by Matt and Kaleb Hurley; Discology by Kevin Smith; The 2024 International Auctioneer Champion, Shane McCarrell presented a session titled Beyond your Beginnings; Matthew Fridge of Headspace Media shared his knowledge about Chat GPT and What’s Next with AI. Thursday began another day filled to the brim with more education including Estate Planning & Partnering with Attorney’s and Real Estate Auction Practices with Attorneys Ashley Glick and Samuel Goodley III of Glick, Goodley, Deibler & Fanning, LLP; Michael Charnego shared his knowledge about Selling Coins at Auction; Attorney Brian Honnes of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC presented on Business Transition Planning; The day ended with a session of Ringman and the Auctioneer put on by Matt Hostetter, Patrick Morgan and Jason Reed; and an Auctioneers Guide to Selling Antique Radios, Hi-Fidelity & Stereo Equipment by John Tyminsky and his business partner, Darren Hoffman.
The final day of the Conference was chock full of more education for the over 200 attendees. Matthew Hurley presented a Real Estate Auction session; Scott Russell presented Maximizing Profitability in Sports Cards and Memorabilia; The 2026 President, Brian Oberholtzer, presented a session on Equipment Consignment Auction Do’s and Don’ts and touched on Contract Auctioneer work in the Equipment Fields. Tim Keller presented a session of The Benefit of Free (or Not) Fundraising & Charity Auctions; while 2025 President, Mike Calvert, shared his sales knowledge and experience on how to Get More Auctions. The final session was on Pennsylvania’s Legislative & Political Landscape for 2026 by the PAA’s Governmental Affairs Consultant, Jessica Kemmerer.
The PAA traditionally hosts the Pennsylvania Auctioneer’s Championship at the Farm Show Complex during the PA Farm Show. This year auction goers saw first-hand the best auctioneers in the state on January 14, 2026. There were 22 contestants with Chase Noll of Beaver Falls, PA coming out as Champion. For quite possibly the first time ever, the Runner-up was also the Rookie Champion (licensed for 2 years or less). Elvin Stoltzfus of Spring Mills, PA took home both of those awards.
The PAA is honored to have so many members who have dedicated their careers to the industry and who have made the industry better for all. Several awards are given each year to honor some of those auctioneers. The recipient of the prestigious award of Auctioneer of the Year was awarded to Brian L. Oberholtzer, who is also the 2026 PAA President. The nominations for this award are chosen by auctioneers in his/her area and the winner is selected by his/her state-wide peers. Mr. Oberholtzer has shown excellent leadership, high ethical standards, willingness to share with others, participation in community affairs, and outstanding contributions to the PAA and the auction profession over the past year.
Two auctioneers were inducted into the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame. This award is given to an individual based on integrity, honesty, high moral character, acute fairness, and distinction, and is bestowed on an auctioneer each year who, over the course of his or her profession, has committed him or herself to foster excellence in the auction industry. The inductees were Mark K. Keller of Elliotsburg, PA and Kevin D. Smith of Quakertown, PA. Both are very well deserved.
Several auction companies were garnered with awards for first-place categories in the PAA Advertising and Marketing Contest, including Alderfer Auction; Hurley Real Estate & Auctions; Shetron Auction & Equipment, LLC; Patrick Morgan Auction Services, LLC; Sanford Alderfer Real Estate/Tranzon Alderfer; Cordier Auctions; and HK Keller. Judged and chosen on-site by all auctioneers in attendance, was the award of "Auctioneer's Choice". The winner of this award was Patrick Morgan Auction Services, LLC of New Holland, PA. "Best of Show", strictly a judges' award, was bestowed on Wheeler Auctioneering of Edinboro, PA.
Officers for the Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association for 2026 include: President - Brian L. Oberholtzer of Reinolds; President-Elect – Jason Reed of Greensburg; Vice-President – J. Meryl Stoltzfus of Newport; Immediate Past President – Michael J. Calvert; Treasurer and Executive Director – Kimberly K.D. Morgan of Boyertown.
