Milestones & History
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In 1938, due to the unavailability of vehicles in the American South during the Great Depression, some enterprising livestock auctioneers began importing a few used cars from the north to sell along with cattle and farm machinery. Ten years later a private trade association, the National Auto Auction Protection Association, was formed to provide a unified voice for the fledgling industry. Then in 1954 the name was changed to the National Auto Auction Association.

Over the decades, the association represented its membership to their customers, elected officials, regulatory and enforcement authorities, the media, and the automotive industry. It also worked to establish uniform principles of fair, consistent and ethical treatment as best practices.

Today, NAAA remains devoted to its original mission of protecting and promoting the interests of our members by advancing the knowledge, leadership and standards necessary to meet the challenges of an evolving auto auction industry in the 21st century.

Below is a list highlighting some of NAAA’s major milestones and noteworthy achievements throughout the years, as well as links to archived materials:


National Auto Auction Association Milestones
Year   Milestone Description
1938   J.M. "Martin Rawls held the first auction
1948   C.B. Drake assembles auto auctioneers and founds National Auto Auction Protection Association (NAAPA)
1954   Name is changed from NAAPA to National Auto Auction Association (NAAA)
1955   Auction Insurance Company began providing insurance to auctioneers
1962   NAAA produces first promotional brochure
1963   Chrysler's first ever "buy-back" sale of rental and company cars via auto auction is help
1968   NAAA 20th Anniversary
1971   First published NAAA Member Directory
1978   NAAA's 30th Anniversary is held in Toronto, Canada
1986   NAAA helps " Truth in Mileage Act" to become a law
1988   NAAA's 40th Anniversary
1989   Headquarters moves to Frederick, Maryland
1992   "Anti-Car Theft Act" pushed forward via the NAAA
1996   NAAA.com is launched, featuring
auction-to-auction emailing
1998   50th Anniversary of NAAA, 60th Anniversary of the auto auction industry
2002   NAAA Water/Flood Damage Policy established
2004   NAAA Title Warranty Policy established
2005   Scholastic Foundation awards first scholarships
2006   NAAA Vehicle Condition Grading Scale and Arbitration Policy developed
2007   Scholastic Foundation renamed NAAA Warren Young, Sr., Scholastic Foundation, Inc.
2008   60th Anniversary of the NAAA, 70th Anniversary of the auto auction industry
2009  

NAAA merges Spring Business Meeting with CAR Conference

Electronic Condition Report and National Arbitration Policy Available Online

2010   NAAA Zones dissolved and renamed NAAA Chapters

Wholesale Certification Standard established
2011  

First webinar hosted by NAAA

Dynamic Leadership Institute begins

2012   Political Action Committee (PAC) formed

Chapters web pages available on www.naaa.com
2013   NAAA makes first PAC contribution to members of Congress

Newsletter transitions to magazine and expands readership

First state independent auto dealer association joins NAAA

65th Anniversary of the NAAA, 75th Anniversary of the auto auction industry

Chapters raises funds for Political Action Committee (PAC Cup)

First live webinar broadcast from annual convention
 
Year   Milestone Description
2014   NAAA Pedal Car Auction Pushes Beyond Half-Million Dollar Mark

The Black Book Pedal Car Auction at the 2014 NAAA Annual Convention raised $576,300 to benefit the NAAA Warren Young, Sr. Scholastic Foundation
2015   NAAA adopts KAR Auction Services, Inc. safety program for members
2016   NAAA launches Safe T. Sam and Coach Caution online safety training certifications.

Inaugural awards for Auto Auction of the Year and Chapter Auto Auctions of the Year for Excellence in Community Service
2017   NAAA awards first Distinguished Service Medal

NAAA produces Auto Auctions of Tomorrow: 2027
2018  

70th Anniversaryof NAAA, 80th Anniversary of auto auction industry.

Safe T. Sam training exceeds 35,000 certifications

NAAA conducts study on Solving Technician Challenge

NAAA publishes Suggested Safety Guidelines

2019  

NAAA establishes G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Times) Society recognizing past leaders who have impacted the association

Safe T. Sam training exceeds 100,000 safety certifications

NAAA conducts Auto Auctions 2030 study

2020  

COVID-19 strikes U.S. stay at home orders issues in numerous states.

NAAA Safety Committee releases the NAAA Playbook – Auction Start-Up in recovery to COVID-19.

NAAA Safe Committee releases Active Threat Preparedness Plan and webinar.

NAAA headquarters produces a Commemorative Magazine highlighting the National Auto Auction Associaton from 1948 through the anticipated 75th anniversary in 2023.

2021   NAAA hires new Chief Executive Officer,
Tricia Heon

NAAA holds first Auction Standards Summit

Celebration video for Auto Auction Week features united support from top industry organization leaders

Diversity and Inclusion Awareness Training
occurs and has over 300 NAAA member acknowledgements and pledges

NAAA hosts year-long Industry Outlook Sessions

A digital news service for members named SmartBrief is launched.

Workforce Initiative website is developed to help fulfill employment and recruitment needs in the auction industry.

 

 

History Archives
Archive Description History Link
Past Presidents Link
Hall of Fame Recipients Link
G.O.A.T. Society Members Link
Beginning of the National Auto Auction Association Link
History Photo Gallery Link
Archived Videos Link
   

 


More News Other Events Political Action Committee Donation More News Other Events Live NIADA Webcast Safe T. Sam Political Action Committee Donation Chad's Corner - Archives Auctioneer Safety Training --- Coach Caution Safety Training Program --- Safe T. Sam Safety Certification Training Program Additional Resources   More News Other Events Political Action Committee Donation More News Other Events Live NIADA Webcast Safe T. Sam Political Action Committee Donation Chad's Corner - Archives Auctioneer Safety Training --- Coach Caution Safety Training Program --- Safe T. Sam Safety Certification Training Program Additional Resources