Livestock Markets Association Celebrates 45 years at Waterloo

The Livestock Markets Association Annual Convention will be held in Waterloo Ontario May 23 to May 26, 2024.

This year celebrates LMAC’s 45th year as the National Representative for the livestock auctions and livestock dealers across Canada. This year’s host organization is the Ontario Livestock Auction Markets Association (OLMA).  The host market is the Ontario Livestock Exchange (OLEX). LMAC Board Member Larry Witzel and his wife Marianne are the local committee chairpersons; they welcome conventioneers from across Canada to attend this year’s event. The Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Champions will be held at OLEX on Friday, May 24, with the awards banquet on Saturday evening.

This year the convention will start with optional feedlot and Amish tours on Thursday, May 23, in the morning.  The office and registration desk will open at 2:00 p.m. in the Homewood Inn and Suites.

Registration will be through Eventbrite and will open on Dec. 1, 2023.

The LMAC Hotels will be the Homewood Inn and Suites and the Hampton Inn. Both hotels are located on the same property and share the same parking lot.  Events will be hosted at both hotels and both hotels offer the same amenities. Please book directly with the hotels and ask for the LMAC group rate. Please do not use third parties providers such as Expedia. Contact information for Homewood Inn and Suites 519-514-0088; Hampton Inn 519-514-0090. Cut off for hotel bookings is May 5; please book early as we have 100 rooms total booked at the hotel. After that date, they will try to accommodate late bookings; however, this is a very busy time of year in this area and the hotels expect to be full.

Auctioneers are asked to arrive on Thursday to have their photos done, video interviews, and pick up shirts and swag. We are expecting over 35 auctioneers.

This year we have added more time to explore the Waterloo area and we invite you to make this year’s event part of your holiday experience. The hotel supplies shuttle service from Waterloo airport to and from the hotels. Transportation is provided from the hotel to all LMAC events; the market is a five-minute walk to the hotel.

Agenda

Events are subject to change. Dates and start times are locked in.

Thursday, May 23, 2024

• 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. – Breakfast at Hampton and Homewood (hotel breakfast nooks)
• 9:00 a.m. – Feedlot Tour departs; Amish Tour departs
• 2:00 p.m. – Registration desk and LMAC office opens
• 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. – Auctioneers Photo session – Hampton; Auctioneers Video – Hampton
• 3:00 p.m. – Hospitality Room opens Homewood
• 6:00 p.m. – Meet and Greet, Supper, Auctioneer Draw and Calcutta – Hampton
• 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. – Hospitably Room Open – Homewood

Friday, May 24, 2024

• 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. – LMAC Breakfast served – Berlin Room, Hampton
• 8:00 a.m. – Auctioneers Meeting at Hampton
• 8:30 a.m. – Mic Check at OLEX for competitors
• 8:30 a.m. – Judges Meeting at Hampton
• 9:15 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies at OLEX
• 9:30 a.m. – Auctioneering Championships
• 6:00 p.m. – Ontario Night at the Farmers Market (outside event); Supper and entertainment included
• 9:30 p.m. – Hospitality Room opens at Homewood

Saturday, May 25, 2024

• 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. – LMAC Breakfast – Berlin Room, Hampton
• 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Free time to explore the Waterloo Farmers Market and food booths and area vendors (walking distance from hotels;  conventioneers are on their own for lunch)
• 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. – LMAC Annual Meeting, elections, guest speaker, and reports on current issues
• 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Hospital Room opens at Homewood
• 5:30 p.m. – Buses leave hotels for St. George Hall – LMAC Awards Banquet
• 9:30 – 10:00 p.m. – Buses depart for hotels
• 9:30 p.m. – Hospitality Room opens at Homewood

Sunday, May 26, 2024

• 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. – Breakfast provided by the hotels in their breakfast nooks