Similar to the other members in our We Are LMA series, LMA President Mark Barnett is dedicated to his buyers and sellers through a clear passion. That passion however, pushed him to take a step further and get more involved in the industry he serves. Hear from Mark in this membership feature!

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2023 LMA Annual Convention and World Livestock Auctioneer Championship

The LMA Annual Convention & WLAC is headed to Florida June 7-10, 2023! The convention will be held in Punta Gorda, Florida, and the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship will be held at Arcadia Stockyards in Arcadia, Florida. 

Arcadia Stockyard - 2023 WLAC Promo

Schedule at a Glance

Wednesday, June 7
4:00 p.m.  -  Government & Industry Affairs Committee Open Session Meeting
4:00 p.m.  -  Membership Services Committee Open Session Meeting

Thursday, June 8
8:00 a.m.  -  Convention Kickoff & Keynote
9:30 a.m.  -  Industry Showcase Networking Break
10:00 a.m.  -  General Session (TBD)
11:30 a.m.  -  Semifinalist Briefing
12:00 p.m.  -  Lunch, with sponsor speaker (TBD)
1:30 p.m.  -  General Session (TBD)
4:00 p.m.  -  Florida Ranch Tour (all attendees)
6:00 p.m.  -  Host Market BBQ - Turner Agri Civic Center

Friday, June 9
8:00 a.m.  -  Industry Topic Session (TBD)
9:30 a.m.  -  Industry Showcase Networking Break
10:00 a.m.  -  LMA Board of Directors Meeting (Open)
12:00 p.m.  -  Recognition of Leaders Luncheon
1:30 p.m.  -  Industry Showcase Networking Break
2:00 p.m.  -  General Session (TBD)
2:45 p.m.  -  WLAC Semifinalist Interviews
5:30 p.m.  -  PAC Cornhole Tournament & Reception
6:30 p.m.  -  PAC Dinner & Auction

Saturday, June 10
8:00 a.m.  -  59th Annual WLAC, hosted by Arcadia Stockyard
** Seating will be limited at the market on sale day. A live broadcast will be available to view the competition on the LMA Facebook page and LMAAuctions.com.
7:00 p.m.  -  WLAC Banquet & Awards Ceremony


Convention Center & Lodging Information

The Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center will be the site of all meetings, contestant interviews and social events, unless otherwise noted. It is located within walking distance of multiple hotel properties.

Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center
75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Hotel properties with room block availability are:

Wyvern Hotel
101 E Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
(941) 639-7700
Block Name: 2023 LMA Convention and WLAC
** Room block opening Jan. 23, 2023

Springhill Suites Punta Gorda Harborside
101 Harborside Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
(941) 347-4224
Block Name: 2023 LMA Convention and WLAC
** Room block opening Jan. 23, 2023

Four Points by Sheraton
33 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, FL 33950
(941) 637-6770
Block Name: Livestock Marketing Association
** Room block opening Jan. 23, 2023

Airport Information

Punta Gorda Charlotte County Airport - Punta Gorda, FL
(Sun Country and Allegiant Airlines only)

Southwest Florida International Airport - Fort Myers, FL (41 miles)

Tampa International Airport – Tampa, FL (108 miles)

Orlando International Airport – Orlando, FL (137 miles)

Miss out on last year's event? Check out our TV show!

2022 WLAC Show

Sixto Paiz, of Portales, N.M., was named champion at the 2023 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) qualifying event at Windsor Livestock Auction Co., Inc. in Windsor, Mo. A total of 45 contestants competed for a top 10 placing, granting them a spot in the 2023 WLAC semifinals at Arcadia Stockyard in Arcadia, Fla.

"To be around guys like I was around today – that's what I live for,” Paiz said. “That’s why we all go to these competitions. It's for the comradery with people that you know are doing the same things you do each and every day and have the same passion for it. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be entering in the competition.”

Paiz has been auctioneering for around seven years, and currently sells regularly for three livestock auctions, a car sale and an equipment auction company out of Midland, Texas. This was his fourth time competing at a WLAC qualifying event and third time qualifying for the semifinals.

“The first one I went to I drew second in the competition order, so I got to sit there that day and listen to everybody go to find out I didn’t make it,” Paiz said. “Here I am, four years later, and to win one, it feels amazing.”

A live cattle sale took place, with the market’s regular buyers and sellers in the seats. Auctioneer contestants were judged on the clarity and quality of their chant, presentation, ability to catch bids/conduct the sale and how likely the judge would be to hire the auctioneer. Judges for the qualifying event were livestock market owners, managers, dealers and/or allied industry members from across the nation.

Individuals advancing to the semifinals with Paiz are Neil Bouray, Webber, Kan.; Leon Caselman, Long Lane, Mo.; Dean Edge, Rimbey, Alberta; Michael Imbrogno, Turlock, Calif.; Brennin Jack, Virden, Manitoba; Jacob Massey, Petersburg, Tenn.; Runner Up Champion Daniel Mitchell, Cumberland, Ohio; Reserve Champion Andrew Sylvester, Wamego, Kan.; and Tim Yoder, Montezuma, Ga.

Other contestants who competed were Cinch Anderson, John Day, Ore.; Jared Anstine, Holden, Mo.; Jeremy Anstine, Holden, Mo.; Chris Arnaman, Cameron, Mo.; Spencer Cline, Kingston, Ark.; Gary Crawley, Kiowa, Okla.; Cody Davis, Garnett, Kan. (High Score Rookie); Ryan Dean, Roland, Okla.; Eric Drees, Caldwell, Idaho; Steve Goedert, Dillon, Mont.; Cody Hanold, Brighton, Ill.; Jacob Hills, Ridgeway, Wis.; Travis Holck, Lake Crystal, Minn.; Joshua Houston, Bell Buckle, Tenn.; Tanner Jessup, Iola, Kan.; Rex Lasyone, Winnfield, La.; Cody Manspile, Lexington, Va.; Tilon Mast, Auburn, Neb.; Justin Mebane, Bakersfield, Calif.; Justin Moore, Barnesville, Ohio; Kyle Mueller, Cassville, Wis.; Mark Oberholtzer, Loyal, Wis.; Ross Parks, New Concord, Ohio; Mason Plumly, Somerton, Ohio; Austin Schaben, Dunlap, Iowa; Jim Settle, Arroyo Grande, Calif.; Barrett Simon, Rosalia, Kan.; Robert Strickler, Banco, Va.; Lonnie Stripe, Humeston, Iowa; J.R. Sullivan, Quitman, Ark.; Clayton Taylor, Washburn, Mo.; Brooks Thompson, Prague, Okla.; Marshal Tingle, Nicolasville, Ky.; Benjamin Weber, Lone Jack, Mo.; and Zack Zumstein, Marsing, Idaho.

The World Livestock Auctioneer Championship will be held in conjunction with the LMA Annual Convention June 7-10, 2023, in Arcadia and Punta Gorda, Fla. 