2016 ASA International Appraisers Conference Wrap-Up

The American Society of Appraisers recently held its annual 2016 International Appraisers Conference on September 11-14, 2016 in Boca Raton, Florida at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. In keeping the tradition of providing the highest-level of education for appraisal experts, this year’s IAC featured more than 40 sessions of the most comprehensive educational programming available taught by preeminent thought-leaders from all appraisal disciplines. IAC’16 kicked off Sunday night with the Welcome Reception, allowing attendees to chat and network amongst each other.

Susan Golashovsky, ASA International President & Conference Chair, welcoming attendees to IAC & BV

On Monday, September 12, ASA’s Chief Executive Officer Jim Hirt and ASA’s Region 2 Governor, Mike Pratt, ASA kicked off the joint conferences. ASA’s International President, Susan Golashovsky, ASA had the pleasure in welcoming honored guests, organizers, sponsors, and exhibitors that attended this year’s conference. The morning continued with knowledgeable speaker, Bernard Baumohl, as this year’s keynote speaker. Using real-world examples and stories, Mr. Baumohl illuminated every U.S. and foreign indicator that matters to appraisers. With his energetic delivery and personal observations, attendees received excellent insight to begin the day.

The first round of sessions included presentations on the evolution of the crown of light diamond by Tammy Cohen; the 600 MHzSpectrum auction by David H. Cole, ASA; navigation of legal and ethical issues by Jeffrey W. Brend, ASA and Lela Hersh, ASA; valuation methods for Ad Valorem by Lisa A. Hobart, ASA; and the best technical practices for completing business valuations by Raymond Rath, ASA. Educational sessions continued into the afternoon with topics on equipment values, perspective on vehicles, perspective on appraisal review, and continuations on the evolution of diamonds, and valuations on ad valorem being taught by Carl C. Chrappa, ASA, Edith Yeomans, FASA, Paul Golubovs, ASA, Tammy Cohn, and Lisa A. Hobart, ASA.

From Left to Right: Jan Marek, ASA and Susan Golashovsky, ASA

Lunch and the International Awards Presentation followed these education sessions. During the Awards Presentation, ASA members, volunteers, chapters, and staff were recognized and honored for their hard work and accomplishments throughout the year. Jan Marek, ASA won the Jerry F. Larkins Award in recognition of his exceptional volunteer service to and support of ASA, its members, its staff and the appraisal profession. Cinthia Giannakos of ASA headquarters staff won the Sylvia Wade Olson Award in recognition for her outstanding dedication and commitment to ASA and invaluable service to the appraisal profession. Chapter award winners included the Chicago Chapter for Best Outreach Program, the Europe Chapter for the Best Professional Education Program, Paul Roberts, ASA of the Northern New Jersey Chapter for Chapter Member of the Year, and the NorCal Chapter for Outstanding Chapter of the Year. To view list of winners, click here.

After lunch sessions highlighted topics on grading and evaluating diamonds by Elena Deljanin; keys to defensible reports by Richard Conti, ASA; diminution value panel by Deane Fehrman, FASA, James Polk, ASA , and Charles Rosoff, ASA; and the evolution of measurement standards by Ernest Demba, FASA. The remaining individual disciplinary sessions of the day included the international watch market by Scott Heisler, valuation of inventory by David Briguglio, AM, Cuba today by Patrick Ela, ASA and Tom Simatos, ASA, USPAP and litigation by Jay Fishman, FASA, and the continuation of the evolution of measurement standards by Ernest Demba, FASA. The last session of the day involved all disciplines, discussing the two most common standards of value which members in the appraisal profession are called upon to opine that was led by Richard Wise, FASA and Gilbert Matthews.

Attendees Networking During the President’s Networking Reception

The Educational Foundation Auction and President’s Networking Reception followed Monday’s educational classes in the evening. The silent auction was an enormous success, thanks to the donations being given to the Educational Foundation, which included collectables, trips, wine, food, books, and classes. The auction and President’s Networking Reception concluded the first full day of the conference. Photos from the Educational Foundation Auction can be viewed here.

Tuesday was jammed packed with over 16 education sessions from more than 30 knowledgeable speakers teaching in the areas of Gems & Jewelry, Machinery & Technical Specialties, Person Property, Real Property, and Appraisal Review and Management. ASA took a different approach for the second keynote presentation by offering its first ever Multi- Discipline Mock Trail being taught by Peter Gladstone, Roger Durkin, FASA, Gary Trugman, ASA, Jack Beckwith, ASA, Charles Rosoff, ASA, William Wilson III, FASA, and David Wolf, ASA, MGA. Educational sessions followed soon after with topics ranging from the valuation of surgical centers by Doug Krieser, ASA, the overview of vintage travel trailer market by James Polk, ASA, the appraisal of golf courses by Lawrence Golicz, ASA, how to become an expert Gems and Jewelry witness by Peter Gladstone, and the appraiser as the witness from the courts perspective by Roger Durkin, FASA. Presentations continued on areas in gem mining, marketing, art, and appraisal issues by Sheahan Stephen; Mellanie Barlett and Debby Sweeney; David Eldridge, ASA, Leslie Fordham, and Tin Ly; and Terry Taylor.

Attendees Working Hard At IAC

Tuesday afternoon included the art in public places offsite tour which was open to all personal property appraisers. The tour featured several iconic art pieces around Broward County such as stainless steel sculptures, terrazzo artworks, and paintings. The remaining disciplines continued with extraordinary presentations on the ethical approach to handling your customers by Melinda Adducci; social networking by Garrett Schwartz, ASA and Jack Young, ASA; and Covering your Assets with a support work file by Barbara Minyard. Concluding sessions of the day featured ‘auction’ is it the best way? by Joseph DuMouchelle; analyzing depreciation by Joao Mynarski, ASA; Auditability verses Reviewability by George Dell, ASA; and the continuation of the covering your Assets with a support work file by Barbara Minyard.

The Women’s Networking Reception and ASA’s Rising Starts event was held Tuesday evening. These receptions gave attendees the opportunity to meet and network with prominent women across all of ASA’s appraisal disciplines as well as rising professionals in the appraisal industry.

Captivating Topics Being Presented at IAC

Wednesday was the last day of the conference and consisted of over 10 educational sessions ranging from the masterpieces and inspirations of Gianmaria Buccellati by Larry French; the appraisal of firearms by Joseph Cornell, ASA; the language of a compliance consultant by Cheryl Bella and Ralph Griffin; the appraisal review in the banking and finance industry by Paul Cogley Jr., ASA; pearls by Eric Fritz and Claire Mitchell; business development by David Kinney, ASA; appraisals in a paperless office by Matt Kaufman, ASA and Jack Young, ASA; historic renovations of artwork by Paul Benson; and Miami-Dade county property appraiser’s office by Pedro Garcia and Lazaro Solis.

ASA hosted a series of pre-conference educational courses in Boca Raton prior to IAC2016. The given courses were BV202-OOO – Introduction to Business Valuation, Income Approach; BV204-OOO – Advanced Topics in Business Valuation; BV301-OOO – Valuation of Intangible Assets; ME202-OOO – Machinery and Equipment Valuation Methodology; ME204-OOO – Machinery and Equipment Valuation – Advanced Topics and Report Writing; US015-BV – 15-Hour Uniform Standards for Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) for Business Valuation; USP007-OPP – 7-Hour USPAP for Personal Property, Gems & Jewelry and Machinery & Technical Specialties; GJ207-OOO – Identification of Jade Treatments and Imitations, Quality and Value of Jade.

Cupitor Was One of the Many Exhibitors at IAC

The American Society of Appraisers would like to thank HeliValue$, Inc.; Business Valuation Review; Sweeney & Bartlett; Crown of Light; Kersten’s Antiques; The M&TS Journal; Real Property E-Journal; Borrowman Baker LLC; NARMCO; GF Data; TagnFi; Cupitor; Appraisal Builder Pro; ASA PAC; International President and Conference Chair Susan Golashovsky, ASA; and the planning committee and advisors Matthew Kaufman, ASA; Gary Trugman, ASA; Juanita Addeo, ASA; Paul R. Cogley JR., ASA; Tom Simatos, ASA; Ronald Prat, ASA; and William Engel, ASA for all of their hard work and support. Photos from the 2016 International Appraisers Conference can be viewed here.

Save the Date! Make plans to attend the 2017 International Appraisers Conference at Houston, TX on October 7-10, 2017.

Thank you again to all of our sponsors for making ASA’s 2016 International Appraisers Conference a great success!