Why I Keep Going Back: Reflections from the Digital Marketing Summit

This week I had the opportunity to attend the National Auction Association’s Digital Marketing Summit in Kansas City, Missouri.

I’ve attended every year since my first one in Nashville, Tennessee. That first year was incredible. We were packed in tight, learning as much as we could, and I left with pages of notes and a renewed sense of direction.

The following year was in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I learned more — and interestingly, I realized some of it was review. Which was good. Because sometimes the reminder is just as important as the revelation. They’ve been telling us to do certain things for years. The difference is whether we actually implement them.

Last year was in Little Rock, Arkansas. Bill Burke picked me up on the way down, but on the way home he had to drive back in blizzard conditions. That’s one I won’t forget.

This year, I attended two and a half days. The first half-day was specifically for those of us holding the AARE designation. I was on time (which I was pretty proud of), and I was ready.

I’ll be honest.

Day one, I found myself thinking, “Maybe I should just come every other year.”

Day two, I leaned even more toward that idea. I’ve heard this before. It’s a good reminder. I’m glad I came.

And then in the final hour, something shifted.

I thought, “I’m absolutely coming back next year.”

Because every year, I hear something I need to hear — even if it isn’t brand new.

One speaker said, “Trust God. All others, trust the data.”

That line stuck with me.

I can go down rabbit holes studying numbers. I like understanding where things are coming from and why they’re working. But the reminder was simple: spend five focused minutes reviewing the right data. See where your traffic is coming from. See what’s working. Don’t drown in it — use it.

They make it sound simple. They also make it clear it’s hard work.

Marketing isn’t magic. It’s discipline.

One thing I shared with several people there — including J.V. — is that this is the one conference Alex doesn’t gripe about me attending.

I even told Alex I said that.

He agreed.

And honestly, that says something.

Not every event moves the needle. This one consistently does. It’s practical. It’s measurable. It’s focused on execution. It’s not fluff.

On the way home, I stopped in Wentzville, Missouri to have dinner with my Uncle Bob and Aunt Charlotte. Sitting and catching up with them was worth every minute. Then I got back on the road.

I didn’t pull into my driveway until around 11:40 that night.

The next morning, I was back at work.

I thought I had caught up.

I hadn’t.

It’s Friday now, and I’m still not caught up.

But here’s what I know:

Every year I attend the Summit, I sharpen something.
Sometimes it’s strategy.
Sometimes it’s clarity.
Sometimes it’s humility.

And sometimes it’s simply the reminder to keep doing the work.

That’s why I’ll be back next year.

Because staying sharp in this business matters — to me, and to the clients who trust me.

— Kara Belcher-Miller
Auctioneer

P.S. I may have taken Alex’s teddy bear with me on this trip. Keep a look out for his next adventure.

And yes — this is officially posting Monday, February 23rd. Sometimes the work gets done before the writing does.