Candidate for Vice President

Morgan Hopson, CAI

What prompted your decision to run for the office of NAA Vice President? My aspiration to serve as Vice President of the NAA is driven by a deep commitment to our auction community. Considering the strides the Board of Directors has made over the past three years, it only solidifies my interest in continuing to serve our association and membership. We still have work left to do to ensure that the NAA is the voice of the auction profession. As a candidate for Vice President, I’m driven to continue the Board’s strategic initiatives and be an approachable, transparent leader for our members.

Why did you join the NAA initially, and what can a member do to maximize their membership? I joined the NAA initially because I was raised to believe in supporting causes that I care deeply about. So, when I was handed the NAA membership form at the end of auction school 13 years ago, I didn’t hesitate. I knew I wanted to be part of an association that could help me grow personally and professionally—a community with like-minded ethics that would challenge me to be at the forefront of our industry and support me along my journey. What I found in the NAA was precisely that. I believe a member should actively engage in the association’s various offerings to get the most out of their NAA membership. By taking advantage of these opportunities, members can enhance their professional development, build lasting relationships, and ultimately, maximize the value of their NAA membership. The more members put into their membership, the more they will get out of it.

What is the most pressing issue for today’s auction industry? One of the most pressing issues for today’s auction industry is the demographic shift known as ‘Peak 65.’ This term refers to the phenomenon where a significant portion of the workforce, particularly the Baby Boomer generation, reaches retirement age. This demographic shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity for our industry. We must focus on educating and nurturing the next generation of auction professionals to ensure the longevity and success of our industry. By proactively addressing the demographic shift and engaging with young people through programs like the FFA and DECA, we can ensure a bright future for the auction profession and cultivate a new generation of skilled, passionate auction professionals prepared to lead our industry through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. What specific initiatives would you like to see included as the NAA looks toward 2030 and beyond? I believe we should focus on initiatives that align with our four cornerstones – Promotions, Advocacy, Community, and Education - to ensure that the NAA remains the voice of the auction profession:
  1. Enhance promotions and public awareness: To ensure the long-term success of the auction industry, we must continue to promote the value and benefits of auctions to the public, showcasing the unique advantages of auctions, such as transparency, efficiency, and the ability to achieve fair market value. By raising public awareness and understanding of auctions, we can attract more buyers and sellers to our industry and create new growth opportunities.
  2. Strengthen advocacy efforts: The NAA has made significant strides in recent years, but there is still work to be done to ensure that the NAA is truly the voice of the auction profession. To achieve this, we must continue to invest in lobbying for legislation that supports our industry, collaborating with other professional organizations, and raising public awareness about the value and importance of auctions.
  3. Foster a strong and inclusive community: We must continue to prioritize initiatives that strengthen our auction community and promote inclusivity. This could include creating more networking and collaboration opportunities for our members and implementing programs that support all individuals within our industry.
  4. Expand education and professional development opportunities: Education is a core cornerstone of the NAA, and as we look to the future, we must continue to invest in programs that provide our members with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in an ever-evolving industry.