11/16/2014

Dueling Appraisal Conferences in March 2015



The other week during the Good, Better, "Best" Appraiser Workshop, one of the appraisers mentioned that registration had opened for the March 2015 American Society of Appraisers (ASA) annual personal property conference. Just a few weeks earlier, the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) had also opened registration for their annual personal property appraisers conference, Assets 2015: Above and Beyond, also in March of 2015 (I could not find a banner for the ASA conference on their website, so that is why the above only has the ISA conference graphic. I have to admit, ISA has done an impressive job with organizational and member promotional material).

While each appraisal organization typically draws their own members to each conference,  I have seen more and more cross over in conference attendance over the past few years. Given the conferences are both in late March and less than a week apart in major East Coast cities, it looks as if they could be going head to head for added attendance and registration dollars.

The ASA conference is in NYC March 25-27 at the Yale Club, while ISA is holding its annual conference March 20-23 in Philadelphia at the Radisson Blu – Warwick Hotel Philadelphia, an old line Philadelphia hotel which was, recently renovated and now has the feel of a boutique hotel.

The ASA event lists the Yale Club and the Hotel Roosevelt as conference hotels, with discounted rates (update, I called the Yale club, rates are $265.00-$285 plus tax, includes wifi). ISA conference hotel discounted rates at the Radisson Blu - Warwick are $199.00, including internet in the rooms, plus tax.

Both programs look very good and I will make future posts with each individual program. For this post, just the basics are listed to introduce each conference.

The registration for the ASA conference really surprised me.  When registration opened and a fellow appraiser associated with ASA mentioned and complained about  the high cost of the conference in NYC I was rather surprised it was set as high as it was. Another ASA appraiser called it pretentious pricing, and said it was too expensive to attend. ASA is now charging $1,095.00 for early registration (through Dec 2, 2014) then it goes up to $1,295.00 for members and $1,395.00 for non-members.

I have been to ASA annual conferences in the past, and like ISA and AAA, the conference programs are typically interesting with strong speakers and interesting topics.  But, on the downside, the attendance is typically much lower for the ASA personal property conference when compared to the ISA (like ASA held annually in different regions of the country) and AAA conferences (held annually in NYC at the NYC Athletic Club). Bonhams and artnet are the two listed sponsors for the ASA conference.

The ISA conferences now typically draw near 200 appraisers and has a growing reputation for hosting not only quality education programs and top level speakers, but also a growing reputation for the best networking opportunities and fellowship at a personal property annual conference.  I know I am biased, but I have been to all three events, and must say, the ISA conference is the most fun, by far.  Sponsorship appears to be headed for a third consecutive year of records, with the likes of Freeman's, Eli Wilner, Chubb, Bonhams, and Quinns already singed on.

The member cost for the March 20-23, 2015 ISA annual conference is $525 for early registration (through Nov 26) and $600 (through Jan 31, 2015) with regular registration at $675.  There certainly is a big cost difference between the two conferences with ASA being twice as expensive, and even though I am a bit biased as a past president of ISA, on the AW blog I try to act neutral (and have posted many ASA programs on the blog), but the cost of the ASA conference is certainly steep, and in comparison to ISA and AAA, I am not sure if there is sufficient added value for the higher registration fee.

For registration and program information for the ASA conference, click HERE.

For registration and program information for the ISA conference, click HERE.

If you cant attend both, take  a few moments and look at each conference program, and then factor in past conference reputations, sponsors, exhibitors, number of appraisers attending, new appraisers to network with, fellowship, tours, and of course the costs to attend (travel, registration, lodging), and decide which is the better value.

Each organization has a short overview on their website about their conference

ISA States on its website about the conference

ISA’s annual conference, Assets 2015: Above and Beyond, takes us above raw market data and beyond the surface when assessing value, exploring often overlooked critical issues of provenance, originality, condition, and market conditions and trends. The program follows ISA's unique approach—combining product knowledge, scholarship and advanced methodology with practical, accessible tools to take your appraisal practice to the next level.

Join hundreds of your appraisal colleagues March 20-23 in our Assets 2015 host city, known for its art and culture—Philadelphia. Assets 2015 will take place at the Radisson Blu – Warwick Hotel Philadelphia, conveniently located in the downtown area. This legendary downtown setting mixes beautiful parkland with a thriving community, offering world-class dining, boutique shopping and the Avenue of the Arts theatre district.

Attendees will also enjoy optional tours of the Winterthur Museum and The Barnes Foundation; special evening events including a happy hour and welcome reception; and countless opportunities to share ideas and experiences with appraisal colleagues.

Assets 2015 is a can’t-miss event for anyone looking to advance their career in personal property appraising.

ISA’s annual conference, Assets 2015: Above and Beyond, takes us above raw market data and beyond the surface when assessing value, exploring often overlooked critical issues of provenance, originality, condition, and market conditions and trends. The program follows ISA's unique approach—combining product knowledge, scholarship and advanced methodology with practical, accessible tools to take your appraisal practice to the next level.

ASA States on its website about the conference:

The American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is pleased to announce its upcoming 2015 Personal Property Conference: Issues in Determining the Authenticity in Visual Art and Objects, the Catalogue Raisonné, Art Scholarship and Value in the Marketplace. The conference will be held at the prestigious The Yale Club in New York City on March 25-27, 2015.

World renown and highly regarded art law, art and antiques experts will gather together for discussion on relevant and timely issues facing collectors, museum curators, dealers, auctioneers, insurance underwriters, estate attorneys, and appraisers. Individuals practicing in any of these fine art and decorative art areas will not want to miss this important gathering of respected scholars and authorities. Topics of discussion include connoisseurship, authentication, conservation, research, provenance and value in the markets. In addition, an IRS representative will cover issues of compliance regarding appraisals for estates and charitable contributions, and an FBI agent will discuss fraud and art crime as it affects the global marketplace.

Receptions and presentations will take place at Urban Archaeology, a design and manufacturing company in downtown Manhattan and at Bonhams, one of the largest respected international auction houses.

“This conference will provide attendees with a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire unique knowledge and obtain additional scholarly skills from these highly esteemed experts - all in one setting,” says Frances Zeman, FASA, Conference Chair. “I doubt that a group of this magnitude has ever been assembled in a conference like this.”

An optional field trip to the Princeton University Art Museum, Sculpture Collection and Libraries has also been planned for attendees. Included will be a lunch with a special presentation, “Versailles on Paper” and self-guided tours of library exhibitions and area antique shops and boutiques.

This conference is for individuals wishing to broaden their knowledge and scholarly skills in the area of fine and/or decorative arts and can be beneficial for individuals practicing in those areas.

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