National Auction Association Logo

Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI)

Monday - Friday, March 30 - April 3, 2026 | Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

CAI logo

CAI is different from NAA’s other designations. It’s a three-year program in which attendees spend a week each year onsite at Indiana University. It’s an intensive program involving late nights working on projects, in committees, fine-tuning business plans, and other projects that happen in the time between classes.

CAI, unlike other designations, focuses on the business of the auction industry rather than on a particular asset class. While attendees learn about different types of auctions, the focus is on business planning, development and structure. Attendees register for CAI I, CAI II, and CAI III in successive years. Gaps between CAI I, II and III of more than two years require approval of the Education Director, and often are addressed by having attendees audit CAI classes for a year before returning to the program.

CAI Class I students must apply and be approved for the program prior to registering.

CAI I Apply Now 
CAI I Roster (coming soon)		 CAI II Register  (coming soon)
CAI II Roster (coming soon)		 CAI III Register  (coming soon)
CAI III Roster (coming soon)

Apply for scholarships     Download PDF Registration Form

Want to know more about CAI week?

NOTE: To attend CAI an application must be submitted and approved

To apply for CAI you must:

  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Have at least two years in the auction industry
  • Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent
  • Submit an application with references

To obtain the CAI designation:

  • Attend all three weeks of instruction
  • Complete an auction proposal, which is critiqued by the CAI Committee (between CAI I and II)
  • Work in committees to plan and execute the CAI Benefit Auction in CAI II
  • Complete a business plan (between CAI II and III)
  • Present the above business plan to their class and a team of examiners in CAI III
  • Be a current member of the NAA

Any auction professional who applies and meets the requirements to attend is welcome! Auction professionals who tend to get the most out of the CAI program are:

  • Owners currently working in their business
  • Professionals with 3 - 15 years of experience in the business
  • Small business professionals with 1 - 4 team members
  • Professionals with some cash reserves to start a business
  • Successors preparing for business ownership transition
  • Professionals with a vested financial interest in auctions
  • Professionals with multiple roles across the business
  • Professionals who want to increase networks, leadership, and satisfaction
  • Professionals who want to add lines of revenue or be more efficient with revenue opportunities
  • Owners looking to scale their business

Earning the CAI designation proves your commitment to the auction industry by taking the time to obtain the premier NAA designation. Many clients look for designations when trying to find the right auction professional, CAI sets you above the crowd as a well-rounded, elite auction professional who:

  • Has strong professional relationships and networks
  • Has a mastery of auction methods and asset classes
  • Has educated business intelligence
  • Is an ethical business professional
  • Has business technology literacy
  • Is an invested auction professional
  • Has leadership mentality
  • Is an exemplary #NAAPro

Trisha Brauer, CAI, BAS describes this class as helping you learn how to strategically grow your business and learn strategies to best service your clients. CAI covers all the bases of being a stellar auction professional and enables like-minded students to have the opportunity to network that sets graduates apart from the rest of the industry.

2025 Classes Overview

Click each CAI year to view a list of classes. Click on an individual class to learn more.

SUN. EVENING - CAI Check-in; Meet and Greet

MON. A.M. - Welcome and Orientation (Class Picture)
CAI Leadership and Class Advisor

MON. P.M. - Using Portfolios and Proposals to Increase Revenue and Efficiency
David Hudgins, CAI, AARE; Morgan Hopson, CAI

MON. EVENING - CAI Social Event

TUE. A.M. & P.M. - Exploring Auction Specialty Opportunities
Christie King, CAI, AMM, BAS; Tim Luke, CAI, BAS, MPPA; Mark Manley, CAI, AARE, AMM, CES, MPPA; Laura Mantle, CAI, CAS; Darron Meares, CAI, BAS, MPPA

TUE. EVENING - Class Project Working Groups

WED. A.M. - Lights, Camera, Action! Presenting with Confidence
Tim Luke, CAI, BAS, MPPA

WED. P.M. 1 - Strategic Prospecting and Value-Based Selling
Alex Bourland, CAI, GPPA

WED. EVENING - CAI Benefit Auction Event
CAI Class II

THU. A.M. - Mastering Online Auction Operations & Logistics
Jack Christy, Jr., CAI, ATS, BAS, GPPA

THU. P.M. - Capitalizing Bank, Bankruptcy, & Government Opportunities
Mark Manley, CAI, AARE, CES, MPPA

FRI. A.M. - Increasing Business Productivity & Efficiency
Jennifer Gableman, CAI, ATS

FRI. P.M. - Class I Wrap-Up & CAI Class III Graduation
Class Advisor

SUN. EVENING - Check-In; Meet and Greet

MON. A.M. - Welcome and Orientation (Class Picture)
CAI Leadership and Class Advisor

MON. P.M. - Business Planning for Professional Growth
Jimmie Dean Coffey, CAI, AARE, AMM, BAS, CES, MPPA; Russ Hilk, CAI, AMM, GPPA

MON. EVENING - CAI Social Event

TUE. A.M. 1 - Utilizing Partnerships, Joint Ventures, and Referrals
Trae Dudley, CAI

TUE. A.M. 2 - Gaining Loyalty through Customer Experience
Tim Keller, CAI, AMM, CES

TUE. P.M. - Protecting Yourself and Your Business
Rich Schur, CAI, AMM, BAS, MPPA

TUE. EVENING - Class Project Working Groups

WED. A.M. - Marketing Mastery with AI: Navigating the New Frontier
John Schultz, AMM

WED. P.M. - Elevating Your Brand with Style and Standards
Braden McCurdy, CAI, AARE, AMM

WED. EVENING - CAI Benefit Auction Event
CAI Class II

THU. A.M. - Determining and Analyzing Your Business Value
Ailie Byers, CAI, AMM, BAS

THU. P.M. - Implementing Consultative Negotiation Techniques
Jason Deel, CAI, GPPA

FRI. A.M. 1 - Born, Bought, or Built: Ensuring a Business with a Future
Jack Christy, Jr., CAI, ATS, BAS, GPPA; Bradley Stoecker, CAI, AARE, AMM, CES; Justin Vondenhuevel, CAI, AARE, CES

FRI. A.M. 2 - Structuring Your Business Plan
Class Advisor and Instructors

FRI. P.M. - Class II Wrap-Up & CAI Class III Graduation
Class Advisor

SUN. EVENING - Check-In; Meet and Greet

MON. A.M. - Welcome and Orientation (Class Picture)
CAI Leadership and Class Advisor

MON. P.M. - Honing Your Business Sales Communications
Tim Luke, CAI, BAS, MPPA

MON. EVENING - CAI Social Event

TUE. A.M. - Advanced Online Auction Strategies & Efficiencies
Chris Rasmus, CAI, AMM

TUE. P.M. 1 - Attracting Cultural Diversity for Increased Auction Engagement
Morgan Hopson, CAI

TUE. P.M. 2 - Ethical Business Strategies for Long-Term Success
Tim Mast, CAI, AARE

TUE. EVENING - Capitalizing Bank, Bankruptcy, & Government Opportunities
Mark Manley, CAI, AARE, CES, MPPA

WED. A.M. - Building Business through Relationship Marketing
John Nicholls, CAI, AARE, AMM

WED. P.M. - Mastering the Art of Business Development
Trisha Brauer, CAI, BAS; Jason Deel, CAI, GPPA; Tim Dudley, CAI, AARE; William McLemore, CAI

WED. EVENING - CAI Benefit Auction Event
CAI Class II

THU. A.M. & P.M. - Business Plan Presentations
Panel of Examiners

FRI. A.M. 1 - Managing Team Dynamics in Your Auction Business
Carol Miller, CAI, BAS

FRI. A.M. 2 - Maximizing Your Leadership Potential
Kristina Franz, CAE

FRI. P.M. - Class III Wrap-Up & CAI Class III Graduation
Class Advisor

CAI 2026 Registration Costs:

Designation Holder: $1474

Member: $1499

Non-Member: $1909

CAI Designation renewal fees: $150 per year (due Oct. 31), current NAA Membership required

CAI Class I Money-Back Guarantee:

We are so confident in the CAI program that after you complete year one, if you don’t pick up one nugget that will allow you to grow your auction business or become a more efficient auction professional, we’ll refund your CAI year one registration fee.

Cancellation:

Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing and received by the NAA no later than February 25. Canceled registrations will be refunded the registration fee minus the $250 non-refundable deposit. No refunds will be issued after February 25. Hotel reservation and full tuition must be paid by February 25 to attend CAI

Future CAI Dates

March 30-April 3, 2026 (w/ CAI Next)
March 29-April 2, 2027
March 27-31, 2028

The last Monday of March

CAI 2026 Committee


Billie Jo Schultz, CAI, AMM (Co-Chair, EI Trustee)
Ethan Vick, CAI, AMM (EI Trustee)
Willie Baker, CAI, AARE, AMM, CES, GPPA (CAI III Advisor)
Joshua S. Loewensteiner, CAI, BAS (CAI II Advisor)
Jack Christy, Jr., CAI, AMM, BAS, CES, GPPA (Class I Advisor)