Page 3 - 1st Qtr Newsletter TAA_FINAL

TAA NEWS

ANSWERING THE CALL By: Mark Schroeder CAI, BAS, CES

On my first day of the first year of CAI class I sat next to I was doing and I told them
two fellow Texans that I did not know. In our class of 40 that. They didn’t seem to care.
men and women from around North America we each Those organizations lost a lot of
took our turn to stand, introduce ourselves and say a few money by not hiring a professional.
words about our auction business. I stated I had recently That was a long while ago and it
relocated to San Antonio, became a Texan, stated my is very different now. I have been
benefit auction business and then sat down. The moment a professional, licensed auctioneer
I hit the chair, the fellow Texan to my left leaned over to for thirteen years now. I earned
me and said, “are you a member of the TAA”? I looked at my BAS certification in the
him and the other Texan next to him leaned in and said, second Benefit Auctioneer
“yeah, are you a member?” Who were these guys? Specialist class. I also earned my CES and I am excited
to have earned my CAI designation. Since it’s initiation I
My introduction to the TAA was a pointed question by have attended every BAS Summit and try to attend each
Travis Kaddaz with an immediate follow-up by Lance TAA Conference. I have been a member of the NAA for
Swigert. During a break they engaged me in conversation fourteen years.
regarding my involvement in the TAA and followed up by
how the TAA Convention was going to be held in San Marcos At this time I exclusively conduct benefit auctions and
that year. They were effective. That night in my hotel I love it. I regularly conduct Lunch & Learn Seminars in
room in Bloomington, Indiana, I became a member of the Houston to introduce non-profit organizations to a BAS
TAA. Nice job fellas. style of teaming with the client to raise more money.
Texas is home and my desire is the opportunity to use my
During my TAA membership I have met many of you knowledge and expertise to elevate the opportunities of
and yet there are still many more who I have not met… the TAA and fellow members.
yet. I am a believer in the TAA and the future of our
profession. All of us bring unique and valuable experience There is need to have the TAA in the mainstream
and expertise to our profession, our clients and to each media. Awareness of the auction method, no matter
other. This is the only business I know where peers will the town or city you conduct your business, must have
actually try to help you succeed if you ask for assistance a compelling news story in order to attract attention in
with a conundrum. the newsroom and in viewership. I offer experience and
knowledge of what the media desires and how strong
I want to answer the call from of the last newsletter from video production can enhance the TAA and your own
TAA President Cindy Soltis-Stroud to join the board of business. We need to keep ourselves as an organization
directors of the TAA . Before entering auctions, I was a of impactful experts in front of the media. We are
professional in the television broadcast industry. For compelling as a business and even more compelling
twenty-three years I was a television sports anchor and as individuals. I desire to enhance the TAA and it’s
reporter for the Fox & CBS networks in Cleveland, Ohio. members by showcasing just how compelling we are in
I also was a television sideline reporter for Fox NFL Texas!
covering games on Sundays and for Fox Sports Net. I had
grown through television broadcasting as a producer
and executive producer before going on-air. I have been
nominated thirty-one times for a television Emmy award
and won four of them. I have won numerous awards from
the state of Ohio, Associated Press, Cleveland Press Club
and I have won the prestigious international Telly Award
for on-air talent. My career in the broadcast industry
allows me to continue video production in my benefit
auction business producing Fund-a-Need videos. I
understand the rapidly changing media world and I know
what they desire for a story to be “compelling.”

My transition to my benefit auction business was a
natural. As a recognizable sports anchor I was asked to
conduct hundreds of Master of Ceremony duties for non-
profit organizations at their fundraising galas. Invariably,
I was asked to auction some items. I had no idea what

www.texasauctioneers.org 1st Quarter • 2017 3