Bring the Family! Looking for more things to do? Area Information?
Visit the Hotel/City Page for a list of local attractions and more!
Noble Hawk Golf Links
3005 Noble Hawk Drive, Kendallville, IN 46755
(260) 349-0900 * www.noblehawk.com
“The Hawk” features a unique design and theme featuring the perfect combination of links & traditional golf while show casing a variety of beautiful golf holes. Some are pure “up-north” with serene tree-lined fairways. Others appear to be transplanted from Florida with lots of sand and water. Still others are picture postcards from a traditional Scottish links-land course. Noble Hawk is unique, challenging and special. Reward yourself with a visit to this hidden gem. Pricing: $70.00 per person (Sign up on the registration form). Price includes 18 holes of golf w/cart and lunch at the turn. Golf games, prizes & fun! Arrive by 8:15AM for team’s setup and pictures. Shotgun start at 8:45AM

St. Joe Valley Trap and Skeet
5871 County Rd. 60, St. Joe, IN 46785
(260) 337-1011 * https://stjoevalleytrapandskeet.com/
The St. Joe Valley Conservation Club, home of the Kolar Mid-America Open, was established in 1957 and is located in St. Joe, Indiana, on 150 scenic acres. It is one of the largest shot gun shooting facilities in the Midwest, featuring 9 trap fields, 12 skeet fields, and 4 lighted fields. The club offers opportunities for both new and experienced shooters, including practice, league competition, and registered trap and skeet events. Instruction and safety training are also available.
Register early—space is limited! Pre-registration is required. Eye and ear protection are provided if needed. A safety review and signed waiver are also required. Pricing: Payment due at the club: $20 per round, which includes 25 targets and ammunition. Guns are also available to use if you do not have your own

This year’s education sessions will feature a roundtable format with several short, informal presentations and discussions designed to encourage collaboration and shared learning. Topics will include the history of Kruse Auctions, a behind-the-scenes look at Kruse Auctions and tour of the Kruse campus, credit card processing, and modern marketing strategies using AI.

Dennis Kruse is a 1964 graduate of the Reppert Auction School and served as President of the school from 1996 to 2011, now holding the title of President Emeritus. A licensed auctioneer, real estate broker, educator, and former Indiana State Senator, Dennis has spent decades involved in the sale and valuation of real estate and personal property. He is a past president of both the Indiana and National Auctioneers Associations, earned his CAI designation as part of the charter class, and was inducted into the National Auctioneers Hall of Fame in 2013.

Dennis K. (Matthew) Kruse, II, serves as co-owner and Dean of the Reppert School of Auctioneering. He is a licensed auctioneer, real estate broker, and certified general real estate appraiser with CAI and GPPA designations and a business degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. Matthew is widely regarded as an expert in auction law, auction practices, and the auction business, and authored Reppert’s renowned “blue book” training manual. He has worked auctions in more than 29 states, served on multiple National Auctioneers Association committees, and is a past president of District Two of the Indiana Auctioneers Association. He also serves as Chief Appraiser for PF Kruse Appraisal Group and has extensive experience in real estate, appraisals, auction operations, advertising, and technology.

John Kruse is the founder, sole owner, auctioneer, and chief certified appraiser of Kruse Auctions in Auburn, Indiana — widely known as the “Classic Car Capital of the World.” A third-generation auctioneer, John grew up in the auction industry and began working auctions at just four years old before selling his first item at age 15. He specializes in collector car auctions and has become a respected leader in the auction profession.
In addition to operating Kruse Auctions, John has served in leadership roles with the Indiana Auction Commission and the Reppert Auction School, where he helps educate and mentor the next generation of auction professionals. He is also actively involved with the J. Kruse Education Center, supporting career development and educational opportunities for students and veterans.

Justin brings extensive experience in marketing, sales, and business development to Reppert Auction School. As a marketing agency founder and SaaS entrepreneur, he teaches students how to build their brand, attract clients, and leverage technology to grow their auction businesses. Justin combines traditional auctioneering principles with modern marketing strategies, including social media, email marketing, and CRM tools. His practical, engaging teaching style helps students gain confidence and prepare for long-term success in the auction industry.

Before joining the Kruse Auctions team as General Manager, Brian spent most of his career in retail banking. Brian spent over a decade with one of the largest banking institutions in the U.S., and was a key player in building, training, and deploying retail banking teams toward new initiatives in St. Petersburg, Florida, South Bend, Indiana, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Brian is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry.
We’re excited to announce that the Kruse Auctions and Reppert Auction School are hosting this year’s Midwest Auctioneers Roundup!
The event kicks off August 11 with an FFA Bootcamp designed to help the next generation discover their passion for the auction industry. The evening will conclude with a competition, so be sure to attend and support the contestants!
On August 12, attendees will enjoy networking activities at the shooting and golf courses before gathering at Kruse Plaza for educational sessions and industry discussions. The day will also feature a BBQ dinner prepared by their in-house executive chef, followed by the exciting GoToAuction.com Midwest Auctioneer Championship.
The MAA, IAA, and OAA are joining forces to create a unique regional networking experience filled with education, collaboration, and fun. One of the highlights of the event will be the highly anticipated GoToAuction.com Midwest Auctioneer Championship. The evening will also include awards, networking opportunities, and a fundraising auction — so don’t forget to bring your auction donations!

After several successful years of the Kids Exhibition Auction, we’ve discovered that many of these young auctioneers are serious competitors! That’s why we’re once again featuring two exciting youth events during this year’s Roundup.
Midwest Junior Auctioneer Championship (Ages 12–17)
Young auctioneers in this division will compete just like the adults and be judged using the same criteria — although hats are optional! Awards will be presented to the top three competitors, and every participant will receive a ribbon recognizing their hard work and talent. This year, FFA students attending Tuesday’s bootcamp are also invited to register and compete.
Kids Exhibition Auction (Ages 11 & Under)
We haven’t forgotten our youngest auctioneers! This crowd favorite is focused on fun, encouragement, and maybe convincing Grandpa to bid early and often. There’s no judging — just a chance for kids to show off their auctioneering enthusiasm. Participants are encouraged to bring items from home to “sell” during the fun auction.
This family-friendly event is always a highlight of the Roundup, and every child will receive an award celebrating their participation. Be sure to register your young auctioneers early so we can prepare plenty of awards for everyone!
