Recap: The 2026 NAA International Auctioneers Conference & Show in San Antonio, TX

We just got back from San Antonio, where the National Auctioneers Association held its 77th International Auctioneers Conference & Show. It's the auction industry's biggest annual gathering that is several days of education, new techniques, and time spent alongside professionals from all over the country. We came home with a notebook full of ideas, a few new friends in the business, and a renewed appreciation for the craft. Here's what the trip was about and what it means for the clients we serve across North Texas.

Four Days at the Industry's National Gathering

Held July 14th through 17th at the Marriott Rivercenter on the San Antonio River Walk, the Conference & Show brings together auctioneers, ringmen, marketers, and auction-company owners for education sessions, competitions, and networking. For a working auctioneer, it's less a vacation than a tune-up, and a chance to step out of the day-to-day to see what the best in the country are doing, and bring the best of it home.

The Theme: "Long Live the Auction"

This year's theme was "Long Live the Auction," and it set the tone for the whole event. The auction method of marketing has been moving goods and property for centuries because it works. It's transparent, it's fair, and it finds true market value in real time. The finest assets are sold at auction, and yours should be too. Spending a few days surrounded by people who believe that as strongly as we do was a good reminder of why we do this work.

What We Brought Home for Our Clients

Conferences are only worth the trip if they change how you work. Here's what we're carrying back into every auction we run:

Connections Across the Country

Some of the most valuable moments happen in the hallways. Trading notes with auctioneers who specialize in everything from farm equipment to fine art gives us a deeper bench to draw on when a client walks in with something unusual. When you hire us, you're tapping into that wider network too.

A Piece of Texas History: Visiting the Alamo

We couldn't be in downtown San Antonio and not make time for the Alamo. Standing in a place with that much Texas history has a way of putting things in perspective. It's a monument to grit and to the people who built this state, and the same spirit we see in the families and business owners we work with every day, folks facing a big transition and meeting it head-on. It was a fitting stop on a trip that was all about honoring a tradition worth carrying forward.

Why Continuing Education Matters When You Hire an Auctioneer

Anyone can call themselves an auctioneer; a licensed professional who keeps sharpening the craft is a different thing. Strickland Auctioneers holds Texas TDLR Auctioneer License #18533 and you can verify it directly on the state's license database. We're members of the National Auctioneers Association and the Texas Auctioneers Association. Showing up at events like the Conference & Show is how we make sure the service you get on sale day reflects where the industry is headed, not where it was ten years ago.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NAA International Auctioneers Conference & Show?

It's the National Auctioneers Association's annual gathering, which is the largest event in the auction industry featuring education sessions, industry competitions, a trade show, and networking for auction professionals from across the country. The 2026 edition was the 77th, held in San Antonio, Texas.

Does attending a conference actually affect the auctions you run?

Yes. Continuing education keeps our bid-calling, marketing, and technology current, which translates into broader buyer reach and stronger results for our clients. It's part of how a licensed professional stays worth hiring.

What areas do you serve?

We're based in Burleson and serve the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. That includes Tarrant, Johnson, Dallas, Parker, Hood, Ellis, and Denton counties, all with benefit fundraising auctions, estate liquidations, and business liquidations.

How do I book an auction?

Call or email us for a no-obligation conversation and, when it fits, a walkthrough and valuation. We'll recommend the format and timeline that get you the best result.

Looking Ahead: The 2027 Conference & Show Heads to Orlando

Before we left San Antonio, the NAA announced the host city for next year: the 2027 International Auctioneers Conference & Show will be held in Orlando, Florida. It's already on our calendar because continuing education is a standing commitment for us, and we're looking forward to bringing another year of fresh ideas home to North Texas. We'll share dates and venue details for the 2027 IAC as they're confirmed.

Planning a business liquidation, estate sale, or benefit auction in North Texas? Call (817) 381-5543 or email info@stricklandauctioneers.com.

Based in Burleson, TX | Serving all of Tarrant, Johnson, Dallas, Parker, Hood, Ellis, and Denton counties.