World's best junior auctioneers to visit Richie Bros. at large Atlanta auction
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 9, 2007
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE and TSX: RBA), the world's largest industrial auctioneer, announces it will be hosting the world's top three junior auctioneers at its unreserved public auction in Atlanta (Newnan), Georgia on Wednesday, November 14, 2007. The three young auctioneers were chosen the world's best at the International Junior Auctioneer Championship (IJAC) organized by the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) – the association that represents the interests of almost 6,000 auctioneers around the world.
"Auctioneering is a unique career path, yet not an obvious choice for high school students today," says Rob Whitsit, Senior Vice President at Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers and a member of the NAA's Board of Directors. "It can be a rewarding and very lucrative career for those who like to work hard, travel and have a lot of fun."
Ritchie Bros. has invited the top three finalists to attend its upcoming Atlanta unreserved industrial auction as a way of celebrating the young auctioneers' achievements. The three finalists will be introduced to the Company's auctioneers and the crowd on auction day, as well as given the chance to job shadow during the day. The Company is also planning to meet with the finalists to discuss various ways the industry can attract young auctioneers.
"It is not common to find a combination of young and gifted auctioneers in a field known for its long history and tradition," says Mr. Whitsit. "We are thrilled to be spending a day with these fellows, who all show tremendous abilities."
WHO:
TREV MORAVEC, age 19, champion (from David City, Nebraska)
JONATHAN KRAFT, age 20, 1st runner up (from Hobart, Indiana)
DUSTIN ROGERS, age 21, 2nd runner up (from Mount Airy, North Carolina)
WHEN: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 – Junior Auctioneers introduced to crowd at 8am
WHERE: Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers' permanent auction site - 4170 Highway 154, Newnan, GA 30265-1429
A Ritchie Bros. auction is an entertaining, fast-paced affair. Mobile trucks and equipment move over a ramp in front of a seated crowd while the crowd bids on the items. The Company's auctioneers are experts at keeping up the fast pace of the sale and all prices are determined by the bidders in the crowd and online. The Company only conducts unreserved auctions, meaning there are no minimums or reserve bids. Every item sells on auction day, and often items are sold in under a minute. Last year, Ritchie Bros. held over 175 unreserved industrial auctions around the world, generating gross auction proceeds of US$2.72 billion.
About IJAC
The IJAC, hosted by the National Auctioneers Association (NAA), was part of the 58th International Auctioneers Conference and Show held last July in San Diego, CA. Competitors between the ages of 12 and 21 sold two items to the audience in each competition and were judged on their presentation, chant, voice quality, and body language.
About Ritchie Bros.
Ritchie Bros. is the world's largest auctioneer of industrial equipment, operating through over 110 locations in more than 25 countries around the world. The Company sells, through unreserved public auctions, a broad range of used and unused industrial equipment including equipment and other assets utilized in the construction, transportation, material handling, mining, forestry, petroleum, marine, real estate, and agricultural industries. The Company maintains a website at www.rbauction.com.
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ATTENTION: MEDIA – YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND INTERVIEW THE TOP THREE JUNIOR AUCTIONEERS AT OUR ATLANTA AUCTION ON NOVEMBER 14, 2007
Directions: From the Atlanta Airport, take I-85 south for 25 miles to exit 51 Hwy. 154 (McCollum-Sharpsburg Rd). Turn left across the Interstate to auction site on right (end at 4170 Highway 154 in Newnan, GA).
For more information contact:
Kim Schulz, Corporate Communications Manager, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers
Tel: 1.800.663.8457 or cell: 604.788.5379 or
Email: kschulz@rbauction.com