During the annual meeting, Fred Winer, president of the ISA announced the contract of the firm’s executive director was not renewed on March 31 – the date said contract expired. He also said the group’s lease on an office in Seattle would expire on June 30 and that too would not be renewed. Instead the ISA is interviewing non-profit management firms. As of press time, they had chosen the firm, but were still waiting for legal details to be worked out. But, it appears likely the firm’s offices and address will be changing to the Midwest.

“This is cutting edge,” Winer said. He added that appraisal organizations such as the ISA had not done a good job at marketing themselves. He estimates that the three main appraisal groups in the United States do less than 10 percent of the appraisals. “We have not done a great job of getting the message out about why there is a need for an ISA professional.” He said ISA and other appraisal groups also need stronger lobbying efforts.

Those in attendance at the meeting were able to question the prospective firm being considered to take over the ISA management and the answers seemed to satisfy the membership.

“This will change the way we do business in a good way,” Winer said.

Winer also talked about plans on meeting with other appraisal groups as well as related industries such as the Appraisers Association of America and the National Auctioneers Association about sharing meetings and educational seminars that might be of interest to members of each organization.

Certainly the lineup of speakers at this conference would have been of interest to many fine art and antiques auctioneers. Topics included the making of Matisse’s bronzes, forensic examination and forgery analysis, cabinetmaking in late 18th and 19th century Baltimore, watches, jewelry and colored stones,19th century glass and picture frames. A number of museum tours added to the educational opportunities, especially for those who went to the Maryland Historical Society for a behind the scenes look at the Peale paintings.

The planners of this year’s convention have to be particularly pleased with the turnout. At last year’s conference in Texas there were 107 people registered, while this year’s event brought 180 who registered for the entire conference and many more who elected to just sit in on one or two of the seminars.

Connie Swaim