The Third Track: Generalist Sessions at Assets

Elise Waters Olonia,
ISA AM

In a matter of days, we’ll be gathering at this year’s Annual Conference. You may have heard some buzz around the term “The Third Track,” referring to our generalist break-out groups on Sunday, perfectly suited for those who specialize in appraising estates. The term "Third Track" certainly creates intriguing visual imagery, especially in the historically rich town of Chicago!

Although we won’t be meeting in Union Station, some of us who focus on estates share a few of its attributes. For example, estates can be the ultimate gathering place for antiquities, intriguing artifacts and endless stories. Like Union Station, there may be underground treasures to discover. When an estate needs evaluating, there’s usually some bustling and fast movement, depending on the client’s itinerary!

“Get on board” and take a look at the Sunday program. There are three Generalist sessions which may get you on track if you don't specialize in only Fine Arts or Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts! In the first session, James Jackson from Jackson’s Auctions will address those interested in the basics of general appraisals and estate liquidation in today’s market. The second session features our experienced instructor Mickey Logan and his student Carol Matesic, who will discuss their personal challenges with identifying comparables for unique items. Concluding the session, Carol Meyers Madden, writer and expert for EstateSalesNews.com, will share her knowledge on expanding your business through estate sales.

Enjoying education at Assets 2016

If you’re currently working with estates or considering this “Third Track” for the first time, be sure to consider attending one or more of these informative and enriching sessions. These experts have many stories to share and answers for your questions! See you there!

Elise Waters Olonia, ISA AM

Conference Chairperson

Constructing Relationships at Assets 2017

Maureen S. Winer, ISA CAPP
Annual Meeting Committee Member

Since I became a member of ISA, I’ve never missed an ISA conference or left one early. Why would I miss learning and relaxing with my friends and colleagues from every part of the appraising world?

From the first day of Assets 2017 to the last, I am planning on taking advantage of everything the conference has to offer, including the outstanding social and networking events we have scheduled. If you haven’t already, register for the conference and special events, and view the full program.

Assets 2017 starts off with two specialty tours taking place all day on Friday, one focused on Fine Arts and the other on Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts. You will have to choose one or the other, but luckily we have blog posts (linked above) from myself and Irene Szylinger with details about each of the tours.

After the tours end, we'll enjoy a opening reception back at the Palmer House Hilton, and directly after that, a New Attendees Reception to welcome everyone experiencing Assets for the first time.

Both specialty tours will visit
the Art Institute of Chicago.

Along with all of the wonderful educational opportunities on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, we have many opportunities during the day and afterward to connect with your fellow appraisers. Sunday offers a Networking Lunch and Learn, which gives us the opportunity to get to know ISA sponsors, Affinity Business Partners, and committee leaders. At the end of the day, we will gather on the sixth floor foyer for a silent auction benefiting the Foundation for Appraisal Education (FAE), which will raise funds for ISA members and increased educational opportunities.

On Monday, the day begins with a CAPP Appreciation Coffee event – I’ve worked hard to achieve my designation, and I will be enjoying refreshments and mingling with others who have done the same.

We have so many extraordinary and dedicated volunteers, from our Board President to those who serve on local and national boards and committees, as instructors, and supporters of ISA, and they deserve our thanks and recognition, so I never miss the Awards luncheon and the chance to thank them.

And don’t forget – Chicago has great shopping, entertainment and sightseeing. See you at Assets!

Maureen S. Winer, ISA CAPP

How to Build Your Foundation at Assets 2017

Maureen S. Winer, ISA CAPP

This year, our theme for Assets is “The Architecture of Appraising: Building on a Solid Foundation.” We chose this theme because any successful career in appraising starts with a strong base of knowledge.

With that in mind, we have designed our Assets 2017 program to give you the essential basics you need for your business as well as an in-depth look at crucial topics.

I've highlighted some of our planned programming below, but be sure to visit our mobile-friendly site to view full session descriptions and speaker bios. And if you haven't yet registered, do so now! Trust me; you don't want to miss it.

Saturday Programming Highlights

On Saturday, April 1, our program will focus on current trends in the appraisal business, including how technology has vastly increased opportunities for buying and selling works. In the morning, Evan Beard of the US Trust (and formerly a U.S. Naval Intelligence Officer) will give an overarching perspective on how millennials, Gen-Xers, baby boomers and millionaires are affecting global markets. Later in the day, Pip Deely of the art startup CollectorIQ will speak on the latest in apps, databases and imaging tools that can enhance the appraisal process and keep you up-to-date in your business.

The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, home of Assets 2017

Part of understanding current trends in appraising is building a career while dealing with the challenges of the current art ecosystem and beyond. On Saturday, a panel of experts from Chubb Personal Risk Services, the Estate Planning Law Group and the Art Institute of Chicago will dive deeper into receiving referrals from and building relationships with gatekeepers from the insurance, estate and museum industries.

With Joshua Kaufman, ESQ, an expert on art law, we will discuss fakes, forgeries and when to connect with a lawyer on issues of provenance and authenticity.

Sunday Programming Highlights

As we progress to Sunday’s educational programming, we will focus on building skills like appraising an archive, which ISA’s own Leila Dunbar will guide us through in the morning. She’ll note the types of organization, methodology and valuation needed for such a project, as well as how to work with archivists, curators, and collectors.

For an invaluable exploration of the basics of the appraisal business, Sanjay Kapoor of ISA will moderate a panel of ISA CAPPs, Perri Guthrie, Judith Martin and Diane Marvin, who will answer your how-to questions as well as share their experiences and best practices.

ISA member panel (clockwise from left):
Perri Guthrie, ISA CAPP, Judith Martin, ISA CAPP,
moderator Sanjay Kapoor, and Diane Marvin, ISA CAPP

Sunday will conclude with a number of breakout sessions exploring topics related to Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts, Fine Art and appraising in general even further.

In the Antiques, Furnishings + Decorative Arts category, Alexander Eblen of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will discuss authenticity issues in jewelry and timepieces, and Libby Holloway, ISA CAPP, and Jacqueline Snyder, ISA AM, will dive into a lecture on finding comparable items when the item you are appraising is unique, has no market, or the artist is unknown.

Those interested in Fine Art can hear Professor Henry Adams speak on art forgery, and Meredith Meuwly, ISA CAPP, and Lisa Lowy, ISA AM, will give a similar comparables lecture to the Fine Art crowd.

View our full session descriptions and speaker bios.

Maureen S. Winer, ISA CAPP

Ask an Instructor

ISA members are invited to send in their questions on all things appraising and education to ISA's instructors. One of ISA's instructors will share answers on the ISA Now Blog. Please send questions to directorofeducation@isa-appraisers.org.

Question: I’ve recently completed the online Requalification class. Is there anything else that I need to do or am I good for the next five years?

Answer: Don't forget to turn in your Requal packet to ISA Headquarters! The packet outlines everything you need to do in order to complete your requalification with ISA. If you don't have one, you can contact Catherine Toupin to make sure you have all your ducks in a row. If you're still not sure what to do, ask your friendly ISA Ambassador for help making sure you have all of your paperwork turned in.

- Meredith Meuwly, ISA Director of Education