It continues to be a celebratory atmosphere in the auction world.

While BSC America’s Bel Air Auto Auction recently commemorated its 77th anniversary, the National Auto Auction Association is gearing up for this year’s World Automobile Auctioneers Championship (WAAC).

What NAAA considers the premier competition in the auto auctioneer industry is set to take place Friday at ADESA Indianapolis in Plainfield, Ind.

The competition will feature 56 auctioneers, 23 ringmen and 25 teams.

Since 1989, top auctioneers and ringmen from around the world have competed in the WAAC. NAAA acquired the WAAC in 2022. Capital City Auto Auction in St. Albans, W.Va., served as the inaugural host site under NAAA ownership last year.

ADESA Indianapolis is a 10-lane facility that has been in operation for 40 years. More than 850 vehicles are projected to run through the lanes for the competition.

NAAA highlighted in a news release that the team at ADESA and the WAAC Committee have been working hard for several months planning the event to ensure a top-level experience for all involved.

“I’m proud of what the team has done to prepare for this event,” ADESA Indianapolis general manager Kathy Hopkins said in the news release. “It is an honor to host this year’s competition, and our auction is thrilled to welcome everyone for what promises to be another exciting event that highlights the very best auctioneer and ringmen talent in our industry.”

The 2024 WAAC will be livestreamed for those unable to join the event in person. All livestream information will be posted on www.autochampionship.com prior to the event that begins at 8:45 a.m. (ET).

“NAAA would like to extend a special thank you to all of this year’s WAAC sponsors. The event would not be the success that it is without the generous support of our partners in the industry,” the association mentioned, noting a complete list of those sponsors can be found here.

Other event information, including a list of this year’s competitors and a list of past champions, is available on the WAAC website.

Marking 77 years in Maryland

BSC America’s Bel Air Auto Auction, one of the longest-running auto auctions in the country, celebrated its 77th anniversary from April 10-11.

The auction highlighted the two-day event was capped by more than 2,500 vehicles crossing the block, setting the stage for one of the biggest sales in Bel Air’s history.

The festivities began as Bel Air AA welcomed more than 300 guests to a 1970s-themed party, where all enjoyed a “groovy good time,” according to auction leadership.

Greeted by the Nichols family, customers were joined by representatives from bank and credit unions, industry professionals and auction partners. Disco balls decorated the lanes, guests tried their skills at classic arcade games, refreshments were served from a mobile airstream bar, and appetizers and dinner were enjoyed, all accompanied by live music.

Highlighting the evening was a preview of the classic cars being offered the next day, and an award presentation by Dave Stolt of the AvisBudget Group, recognizing Bel Air Auto Auction as the Best New Auction for 2023.

On the second day, activities began at 8 a.m. when bidders began raising their hands and watching the hammer come down in 10 lanes. Bel Air AA mentioned that customers enjoyed prize drawings and giveaways in every lane.

What the auction called “the icing on the anniversary cake” was the classic car sale, a tradition at Bel Air AA.

The Nichols family announced that immediately following the anniversary sale, construction would begin on a major expansion project, with two additional auction lanes being added to the 185-acre auction facility.

“It has been just seven years since we opened our all-new 10-lane home here in Belcamp, Md., which provided us with plenty of space and the most state-of-the art facilities and services for our customers,” BSC America president R. Charles Nichols said in a news release. “Since that time, we have experienced growth in all segments of our business and are excited to announce that we will be adding two additional auction lanes to accommodate bank, dealer and fleet/lease consignments.

“We expect to complete construction on lanes No. 11 and No. 12 in time for our Harvest Sale in October,” Nichols added.

Bel Air AA is the flagship auction of BSC America, which also includes Tallahassee Auto Auction in Florida and a weekly Specialty Sale, located in Bel Air, Md.

Since its founding in 1947, Bel Air AA has grown to become one of the largest independent auto auctions in the Mid-Atlantic region.