In order to secure the GAA Block Rate for Jekyll Island Club participants should make reservations at least 30 days in advance. Rates are subject to availability.   The Jekyll Island Club hotel group room rate is $139.00 for August 4-8 and $215 for August 9-10th for anyone who wishes to come early or stay for the weekend.  To make reservations contact the hotel at (855) 535-9547 and mention Georgia Auctioneers Association to get the group rate. Again, special rate is subject to availability and reservations must be made at least 30 days in advance.

The GAA Summer Conference is scheduled for August 7th & 8th. For more information visit our homepage and view the updated Conference Agenda & Schedule.  Board members should make arrangements to attend the meeting in the late afternoon of August 6th and a Welcome Reception will be open to all in the Hospitality Suite upon arrival on August 6th from 5:30-7:30pm.

Georgia Auctioneers Association is excited to announce our featured speaker for this Summer’s Conference is Paul Behr.  He will be presenting on topics including: How to Improve your Chant, Back To Auction Basics and NAA News & Updates. An updated Summer Conference Agenda is now available on our website to view dates and times for Mr. Behr’s classes. Register Now Online to secure your spot to participate in this excellent educational opportunity. Continue reading to learn more about Mr. Behr and his credentials.

Paul C. Behr is a first-generation Auctioneer and has conducted more than 8,500 auctions during his over 42-year career since 1971, calling bids for everything from dirt to diamonds, automobiles, livestock & benefit fundraising auctions, from million dollar real estate auctions to cub scout cake sales. He is also the president and owner of the World Wide College of Auctioneering, located in Mason City, Iowa, and the World Automobile Auctioneers Championship.

Paul received the 2011 National Auto Auction Association (NAAA) Bernie Hart Memorial Auctioneer of the Year Award. In addition, Behr has received numerous honors during his long career, including as one of only two people in auctioneering history to be a three-time World Champion Auctioneer. He was the first NAA International Auctioneer Champion in 1988, the 1989 World Champion Livestock Auctioneer and 1995 All Around World Champion Auctioneer.

Born and raised on a small farm near the town of Rockwell, Iowa, Behr joined the U.S. Marine Corps after his high school graduation in 1969. When he returned from his tour of duty in Vietnam, the young veteran attended the Reisch Auction School (now World Wide) in Mason City Iowa. He was the last auctioneer to be trained personally by legendary auctioneer Col. Joe Reisch.

In 1973, Behr began his bid calling career as livestock auctioneer at the South St. Paul Stockyards, the largest stockyards in the world at the time. In 1974 he started as an automobile auctioneer at Minneapolis Northstar Auto Auction. In addition Behr has helped raise over $100,000,000 in his career for worthy causes for non profit groups as a benefit fundraising auctioneer. He has served as president of the Minnesota State Auctioneers Association, on the Board of Governors of the Certified Auctioneers Institute, president of the World Automobile Auctioneers Professional Association and on the board of directors for the National Auctioneers Association, and will serve as 2013-14 NAA President.