ATLANTA, April 13, 2015 – March may be over, but the madness continues as the world’s top auctioneers and ring people from across the U.S. descend upon Las Vegas later this week for the 2015 World Automobile Auctioneers Championship (WAAC). Hosted by Manheim Nevada on April 17, the event will showcase more than 100 competitors battling for top honors across three categories – best auctioneer, best ring person and best two-person team – as well as $25,000 in prize money.

“The level of talent on display during this competition is unparalleled,” said Janet Barnard, president of Manheim North America. “It’s our privilege to host this year’s event as we recognize the top professionals in automobile auctioneering and celebrate the hard work and dedication they put into their craft.”

Top executives from the auto auction industry will be in attendance at this year’s event, including Cox Automotive president Sandy Schwartz as well as National Auto Auction Association (NAAA) CEO Frank Hackett and NAAA president Ellie Johnson, both of whom will serve as judges alongside Manheim’s Barnard. They will judge competitors on their presentation, chant, voice quality, salesmanship and other performance elements of effective auctioneering, including their interaction and communication with bidders and buyers.

“Manheim’s commitment and dedication to auto auctioneers and ring people across the country and around the world is unmatched,” said Paul C. Behr, president of the WAAC. “This year’s event is gearing up to be our best yet, and we are grateful to Manheim for making it possible.”

The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) will broadcast the day’s action live via webcast at www.niada.tv starting at 8 a.m. PST. For more information, visit the WAAC website at www.autochampionship.com.

About Manheim (www.manheim.com)

Manheim is the leading global provider of vehicle remarketing services, connecting buyers and sellers of used vehicles to the largest wholesale used-vehicle marketplace. The company helps dealer and commercial customers achieve results by providing physical and digital auction channels, data analysis, financing, transportation and mobile products and solutions.

Manheim pioneered in-lane vehicle auctions and has been an innovator in both digital and mobile auction platforms. Manheim registers nearly 7 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing nearly $46 billion in value. Manheim’s research and consulting arm, Manheim Consulting, provides industry-leading market intelligence and publishes the widely recognized annual Used Car Market Report. The company offers dealer financing through NextGear Capital, Inc. and transportation services through Ready Auto Transport.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim has more than 20,000 employees in 122 worldwide sites and generates annual revenues of more than $2.5 billion. A subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Manheim participates in “Go Green with Manheim,” the company’s sustainability program.

NAAA Posted 4/13/2015