My team and I worked an event in southern Virginia which was one of the most attractive and creative auction themes I've attended. It wasn't a large audience -- the crowd only numbered around 225 -- but the decor and atmosphere was exquisite! It was one of the more magical auctions I've attended. The theme was Treasures of the Deep. All things of underwater intrigue could be found here. The dark, mysterious, quiet of the ocean seemed to come alive in this fitness facility (not that you could ... Read On >
Silent auction items could include a sleigh ride
With the winter solstice this week and snow in the forecast, we're in the heart of winter. If it feels like a sleigh ride might be on your "to do" activity list this season, don't forget to ask for a donation! Here are a some pointers around procuring a sleigh ride for your silent auction. Always ask. Spring and summer auction teams might not yet have the "procurement mindset" and may fail to remember to ask for a donation, even as they enjoy the sleigh ride with their own family. Don't be ... Read On >
Happy Birthday, Scott!
Attention readers. Though I'm usually writing about being a benefit auctioneer Virginia, today's blog is personal. (Click to another blog to read auction tips.) Once a year, my brother Scott makes the trek from Iowa to D.C. to attend a work conference. It's always in May. It's always in the city. And it always means he and I get some enjoy some cool sibling time at a fun restaurant. Today is my brother's birthday. Like many people with December birthdays, I think he's gotten the shaft ... Read On >
Silent auction basket ideas: use wrap
With regards to silent auction basket ideas, a book could be written about how to make a nice display. Here's my take on one idea regarding wrapping. At smaller benefit auctions, you can be a bit loosey-goosey in how you present a silent auction basket. At larger fundraisers, you need to step up your game. Covering your baskets in a clear plastic shrink-wrap or a bag is smart. Here are the advantages of wrapping a silent auction basket in clear plastic or cellophane. 1) Contents don't ... Read On >
How many live auction items should you sell?
"Sherry, how many live auction items do you recommend we sell in our charity auction?" I hear this question regularly and contemplate it in the same way I'd think about prunes: "Will three get the job done? ... Is eight too many?" ;) Here's what I've learned: If the gala's timeline has already been determined, my recommendation doesn't matter. A specific amount of time ... 20 minutes ... 45 minutes ... 70 minutes ... has been allotted. Now I need to work with the client to choose the items ... Read On >