>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Working the crowd: Union auctioneer Troy Hill calls for bids during last year's Support the Troops auction at the Blue Mountain Conference Center. Hill will compete in the National Auctioneers Association's world championships July 22 in Pittsburgh. (Observer file photo).

Auctioneering is like a lot of other professions. First you go to school and then you learn how to do it.

Ask Troy Hill, a locally successful chanter getting ready to compete for the world auctioneering championship in Pittsburgh.

"You learn from your mishaps," said Hill, owner of Union-based Hill's Auctioneering. "Like any other job, it's all about experience."

On July 22, Hill will be among 92 auctioneers competing for the title and prize package in the National Auctioneer Association's international championships at Pittsburgh's David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

To capture the title and $10,000 in cash, he will bring his considerable experience to bear on the event and he will be paying close attention to detail.

"We'll be judged on our presence, our dress, our confidence and our poise, and of course, on our chant," Hill said.

Hill, 35, was born and raised at Kuna, Idaho, graduating from high school there in 1989.

In the mid-1990s, he started going to horse auctions around Idaho with his father, Ron.

He found he liked the atmosphere of the sales. He also became fascinated with the work of the auctioneers.

"The sales have a nice environment with nice people." He said. "And as far as auctioneering goes, I got to thinking I could do it as well as a lot of those I heard."

It didn't take him long to find out that nearly everybody in the auction business gets a start by going to school. So off to school he went.

He learned the basics of auctioneering in a whirlwind, 10-day course at the World Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa.

The 92 hours of classroom and practical instruction covered auction laws and licenses, appraising, sales booking, auction clerking and cashiering, and many other other behind-the-scenes subjects.

The course also taught students how to overcome stage fright, to step out in front of a crowd, take control, and get people to bidding.

"You learn how to control the environment. You make sure things flow well, and you minimize confusion," Hill said.

The key to it all is the chant, that distinctive, stylistic call for bids that is the pride and passion of any auctioneer.

After a few years in business, Hill has his chant down. He has confidence in its speed, rhythm and clarity.

But he knows there's a world of difference between the seasoned pro of today and the student who did his first work in front of video cameras at auctioneer's school.

"Not long ago I broke out some of my old tapes and I almost had to laugh," Hill said. "My chant has really changed. The big thing is to get where it's second nature and you're not thinking about it."

After Hill finished school, he and his wife Heidi moved to Union and started their own auction business.

In nine years, they've built it into a thriving concern. The couple have their hands full with local sales. They also work out of town, every Thursday at the Idaho Auto Auction in Boise.

"We sell about 1,400 cars a night," Hill said. "That comes out to about a car a minute.

"If you've never seen it, it's mind boggling," Hill said.

To stay competitive in the industry, they are adding new technology. At present, they're putting together an auction at the Union County Fairgrounds that will incorporate bids from the Internet.

"In addition to people at the sale, we'll have bids coming in by computer," Hill said of the July 17 event. "It's a new phase for us. It opens up the market. That's a good thing when you're in a small market like this one," he said.

Another key to business success is Hill's involvement in the Oregon Auctioneers Association and its parent organization, the National Auctioneers Association.

Membership in the state organization led him into competition. Last year, he won Oregon the championship. Then he set his sights on the world title and the benefits that come with it.

"In the first place, I'll be $10,000 richer, and I'll get to travel in support of the industry and the national association," he said. "You'd be hard pressed to find a world champion who isn't successful in this business."

To demonstrate their bid-calling techniques, contestants — young and old, rookies and seasoned veterans alike — will be required to auction three items.

Judges who know the business inside and out will be looking at appearance and poise, body language, eye contact with the crowd, and the speed and rhythm of the chants.

The top finalists also will be required to demonstrate their communication skills in interviews with judges.

The contest is the industry's top talent showcase, and the best of the best will be there. Every contestant will arrive in Pittsburgh with a chant honed to perfection.

High pressure? You bet. But after winning the state championship last year, Hill knows the best way to approach competition is to act naturally.

"You look at it like any other auction. You just try to be yourself," he said.