News & Events

Zaffarano wins auctioneer championship

Published: City NewsHound on Thursday, December 3, 2009 Vol. 5 No. 19
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Bridgeport resident wins auctioneer championship

Source: Gazette Chicago

Vincenzo Zaffarano, executive vice president of Global Real Estate Auctions Inc. and a Bridgeport resident, won the 2009 State Champion Bidcalling Contest at the Illinois State Fair on Aug. 18, making him the first Chicagoan to win this prestigious auctioneer recognition.

In both last year’s contest, in which Zaffarano finished third, and this year’s, he competed against some of the best and most experienced auctioneers in the state. The championship also makes him this year’s Illinois State Auctioneers Association ambassador, who helps promote the auctioneer business and educate the community about auctions. Next year, Zaffarano also will represent the organization in an international auctioneers contest to be held in Greensboro, NC.

Zaffarano started his auctioneer career in the auto industry, but three years ago he noticed real estate auctions were starting to take off, so he earned a real estate license. “In less than a year and a half, I sold more than $9 million worth of real estate auction property, so I knew this business was growing,” he said.

What sets Zaffarano apart from other auctioneers, he believes, is that he continues to educate himself about the industry, and his goal is to educate others as well.

“I’d like to continue to educate the public on why auctions should be a first choice and not the last resort,” he said. A good auctioneer, he said, can produce very good results, but a bad auctioneer can leave “a bad taste in the client’s mouth,” which is why “it’s so important to find the right person for the job. It’s very important that whoever clients retain to do their event knows what they’re doing because clients are putting all their trust into that individual,” he said.

Zaffarano feels honored to receive this year’s championship award and to be the Illinois State Auctioneers Association ambassador.

“I will be promoting the business, promoting the association, attending all the district meetings, and doing everything that I can to continue to educate the public,” he added...read more

2009 Champion Vinnie Zaffarano

Vinnie Zaffarano of Chicago is a first generation Auctioneer. He attended his first auction in May 1997 while working for a national automotive dealer. He immediately fell in love with the auction business and its atmosphere. When he turned 29 in February 1999, he decided to make a career change. He quit his job and took a vacation to attend auction school. He graduated from the World Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City Iowa in May of that year and immediately began working as a ringman at Greater Auto Auction in Alsip, Ill. International Champions Shane Ratliff (1992) and Mike Espe (2000), became his mentors and helped him with constructive criticism and daily support. Vinnie presently sells three auto auctions a week for Mannheim Auctions.

In February 2004, Vinnie formed Zaffarano Auctioneers and began expanding his business. He conducted his first charity auction in June 2004 for a small organization in Worth, Ill. He then realized how much he loved raising money for individuals in need. Vinnie quickly became known for his ability to produce positive results for organization fundraisers.

As a strong believer in customer service, Vinnie realized the importance of continuing education and in July 2008, he attended the Benefit Auction Specialist course at the National Auctioneers Education Institute (NAI). Vinnie received his BAS designation in November 2008 and continues to serve his clients in a manner consistent with those teachings. He’s developed a very loyal clientele and presently conducts between 25-35 benefit auctions per year throughout the Midwest.

Always looking to expanding his business, Vinnie realized that Real Estate Auctions were the fastest growing segment in the auction business. In March of 2006, he received his real estate license and began working for a recognized real estate auction firm in Oakbrook. In less than two years, Vinnie sold close to $9 million of real estate at auction. In February 2009, he formed Global Real Estate Auctions, Inc with his partner in Westmont, Ill. He attended the NAI and is working towards his designation as an AARE (Accredited Auctioneer Real Estate). Zaffarano says, “Auctions should be Sellers' first choice, not a last resort, as there is no better way to bring buyers to the market place or draw attention to their property.” He educates and consults both buyers and sellers through seminars on auction procedures and gives bidders personal attention to help them through the auction process.

Zaffarano continues to compete in various venues to keep his Auctioneer skills sharp and concise, whether calling the bid for a piece of real estate, an automobile, or a benefit prize. It’s this continued dedication to honing his craft that helped him win the competition at the Illinois State Fair. "It was great competing and a lot of fun calling the bid for the champion steer. It’s a day I’ll always remember and be proud to include it in my list of achievements during my auction career," Vinnie remarked, "Thanks ISAA for the opportunity."

Zaffarano is Illinois' 2009 Best Bidcaller

August 19, 2009 – Vinnie Zaffarano, BAS, of Chicago took the winner's cup at the 27th Annual State Champion Bidcalling Contest at the Illinois State Fair on Tuesday, August 18, 2009.  Logan Schmid of Clinton was selected winner of the First Annual Junior Bidcalling Contest.

Zaffarano was selected from the final round of the Top Eight which included Reserve Champion Van Adkisson of Roseville, First Runner-up Alex Belcher, GA, of Buncombe, Second Runner-up Ryan Jordan of Pana, Third Runner-Up Josh Hickey of Steward, Blake Canning of Murphysboro, Dan Naughton of Atlanta, and Mark Sypherd, CAI of Nokomis.

Using the scoring system of the International Auctioneers Championship Contest, scores of six Professional Auctioneers from four states were averaged to determine the winners.  The judging panel included 2008 Illinois Champion Jimmy Hannagan of Gifford, 2007 Indiana Champion Jim Lestinsky of LaPorte, 2009 Minnesota Champion Paul McCartan of Rochester, 2008 Wisconsin Champion Wayne Yoder of Wautoma, 2008 ISAA President Jon Bloomberg of Orion and 2008 ISAA Hall of Fame Member Vern Mariman of Cambridge.  Contestants were judged in 15 categories with accumulative maximum score of 100.

The preliminary round also included Charles Bettis of St. Louis, Kevin Bunte, CAI of Elgin, Adam Cripps of Murphysboro, Don Crist, CAI of Danville, Cody Hanold of Brighton, Jonathan Kraft of Hobart, Inc., Dustin Polhemus of Hanna City, Ryan Wankel of Jacksonville, Joseph Wieseman, CAGA of Worden and Tucker Wood of Brocton.  Logan Karcher of Dahlgren competed in the Junior Contest.

Zaffarano was among the four Professional Auctioneers who called bids at the Governor's Sale of Champions in the evening.  Joining him on the block were 1992 Champion Mike Espe, 1993 Champion Adam Jokish, and State Representative Jim Sacia of Pecatonica.  Professional Auctioneers who served as ringmen by virtue of their positions were 2008 Illinois Champion Ringman Bobby Britz of Divernon, 2007 Illinois Champion Ringman and 2008 International Ringman of the Year Alex Belcher, and 2008 ISAA President Jon Bloomberg of Orion.  Cory Craig of Edinburg serves on the Board for the Governor's Sale of Champions.

Zaffarano and Schmid will represent the Illinois State Auctioneers Association in the International Contest next July in Greensboro, N. Car.

For additional information visit www.illinoisauctioneers.org/.

Auctionpay and Zaffarano Auctioneers Present:

Maximizing Your Benefit Auction
Making Everything Count in a Fragile Economy

In a stressful economy, how can you reduce your fundraising stress while maximizing auction returns? Join Auctionpay and Zaffarano Auctioneers to learn how to get more donors to attend your auction, avoid operational pitfalls, and streamline processes for maximum results.

Auctionpay Area Marketing Manager Kristin Barton and Vinnie Zaffarano of Zaffarano Auctioneers will share the tips, tricks, and strategies learned at hundreds of benefit auctions. You'll also get some new approaches to help to survive and even thrive despite national economy woes.

At this seminar, you will learn:

• Why some people won't attend a benefit auction
• Audience development strategies
• How to streamline the auction preparation process
• Identifying potential event revenue streams
• How to procure the best items for each auction element-online, silent, and live
• Where to spend your auction budget to maximize revenue
• How to achieve smooth event flow from check-in to check-out

February 10 - Glenview, IL
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Registration begins 30 minutes prior to start time.

Location:
Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago
2100 Patriot Blvd
Glenview, IL 60026

Cost: $24.99

Lunch will be provided.

To register, click here


Presenters

Vinnie Zaffarano has nearly a decade of experience as an auctioneer. In 2005 he founded Zaffarano Auctioneers and conducts 150+ auctions annually. Vinnie is member of the NAA, ISAA, IAA and WAA. Mr. Zaffarano conducts personal consulting to teach his clientele the latest trends and techniques in benefit auctions. Vinnie thrives on customer service and has developed a very loyal clientele in the fundraising field, becoming known as a top producer for his clients in Chicago and the surrounding areas.

Kristin Barton, Auctionpay Area Marketing Manager, has worked with hundreds of non-profits and schools during her four years at Auctionpay. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience in running smooth and effective event registration and check-out stations and streamlining auction logistics. Kristin's working relationship with the auctioneers and event planners in her region has resulted in a personal database of many unique and effective auction "tips and tricks" that can maximize nonprofits and schools' fundraising potential.

Chicago Auctioneer Earns Benefit Auction Specialist Designation

January 6, 2009 – With over $15.6 billion raised through charity-benefit auctions in 2006, more and more non-profits and charities are turning to professional auctioneers to help them raise donations in support of their causes.

Chicago businessman and auctioneer, Vinnie Zaffarano, recently earned the Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (BAS) designation. The National Auctioneers Association (NAA) Educational Institute coordinates the Benefit Auctioneer designation program. The BAS program trains auctioneers to enhance their benefit auction services. Coursework focuses on the fundraising components of the benefit auction event, item acquisition, audience development, contractual agreement, and public relations. A newly developed designation, there are less than 70 auctioneers across the country who have acquired the BAS profession designation.

Mr. Zaffarano has been a licensed auctioneer since 1999 and is a member of the ISAA (Illinois State Auctioneer Association), IAA (Indiana Auctioneer Association), WAA (Wisconsin Auctioneer Association), and the National Auctioneers Association (NAA).

Mr. Zaffarano also attends national as well as regional educational seminars focused on the auction method of marketing on a yearly basis. Taking what he has learned through his commitment to education Mr. Zaffarano conducts personal consulting to teach his clientele the latest trends and techniques in benefit auctions.

For additional information on the auction industry and its professional designations visit www.auctioneers.org.