Fortune may favour those brave enough to submit to this role-play format, which is the essence of the annual NAVA Propertymark Novice Auctioneer of the Year competition.
The next one takes place on October 4 at the Oxford Belfry (see details below), with the final taking place the same evening at NAVA’s annual gala dinner.
Do your homework
“The task is designed to test not just contestants’ natural ability and charisma on the rostrum but also whether they have done their homework on regulatory aspects such as CITES rules,” says Joe Trinder, former NAVA Propertymark president and a current NAVA committee member.
“They might be terribly charismatic but they also need to know about CITES article 10s, for instance. Equally they may know all the detail but can’t be shy or dry.”
‘Bidders’ play different roles, ensuring contestants face regular interruptions to test knowledge and composure under fire.
“Being thrown curveballs by the audience was pretty daunting,” recalls 2016 winner Shelley Cregg. “You have to think on your feet.”
WHO CAN ENTER
This year’s competition is open to all novice auctioneers. In order to qualify competitors must meet one of the following criteria:
■ Your first auction must have taken place after September 30, 2016
or
■ You have been on a rostrum for less than four auctions in total
HOW TO ENTER
The competition is free to enter but there are only 10 spaces available that will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. So it’s vital that entries are submitted as soon as possible. To enter the competition visit nava.org.uk/events/auctioneer-of-the-year to download a form.
Complete it and email to tanyarichards@propertymark.co.uk.
Closing date for entries is September 5, 2017
