Franklin, Tennessee — May 21, 2026 — Auction Academy’s Class 9 is in full academic swing, most recently completing its 6^th in-person session, held in Baltimore in May. With just two sessions remaining, the Class will complete its training and hold graduation ceremonies in Seattle this September, in conjunction with National Auto Auction Association (NAAA) World Remarketing Fall Conference.

Auction Academy’s Class 9 was launched in February of 2025 and includes students from around the country representing auto auctions, finance companies, and other entities that provide services to the auto auction industry. Auction Academy’s two-year program includes quarterly in-person meetings, alternating with virtual classroom sessions. Both formats include training led by subject-matter experts in the remarketing field. 

Auction Academy’s students and faculty met in Baltimore May 11-13, which began with a first-ever tour of the Port of Baltimore coordinated by Auction Academy Sponsors Lisa Hanmer from Transport Perspectives and Jeff Grandstaff of Gold Star Resources to kick-off the session. Following the port tour, the opening dinner included speakers Craig Amelung, Manheim’s General Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Region and NAAA Chairman of the Board; Paul Lips, NAAA Executive Director; and Tommy Rogers, Manheim Maryland’s Assistant General Manager and NAAA President Elect.

The next day was an Academy mainstay put on by NADA Trainers Michael Hayes and Blair Tyler titled, A Day in the Life of an Auto Dealer – when every aspect of Franchise Dealership operations was covered. On Wednesday the session moved to the Manheim Maryland auction campus in Belcamp, Maryland where Awareness to Action Coach Joe Miller presented A Coach Approach: Proven Tools for Modern Leaders to the class, covering crucial leadership skills. Craig Amelung, Tommy Rogers and their team at Manheim Maryland hosted the second night’s dinner as well as the group’s full day at the auction

Auction Academy’s next meeting will be held in Spokane, WA at McConkey Auction Group’s DAA Northwest, where they will be on hand for the auction industry’s largest promotional event: the DAA Northwest Rock & Roll Sale and Concert.  Class 9 will end their two-year program with Session 8 in conjunction with the National Auto Auction Association 2026 World Remarketing Convention this September in Seattle.

As Class 9 eyes its final months, Auction Academy has announced that registration is now open for Class 10, which will meet for its first session in Nashville on October 22 – 24.

“Interest in our next Class Group has been incredible, and spots are filling up fast,” says Penny Wanna, President of Auction Academy, who urges those interested in the two-year program to visit auctionacademy.net for registration and schedule information.

“Students who have completed Auction Academy training are our best ambassadors, and they enthusiastically encourage their colleagues to enroll in the two-year course which offers them firsthand experience, real industry exposure and authentic connections. This program benefits anyone who wants to excel in their auction careers, offering superior training by the remarketing industry’s leading experts. It also allows companies to develop key personnel in both leadership skills and exposure to the industry on a national level beyond the location of just their auction.”