When I worked as an event planner, I read event management magazines to keep abreast of remodeled hotels, unique venues, trends in meetings, and other tidbits. As an auctioneer reading those same publications, I like to keep an eye out for how my clients might use key information to help them in their planning. Among my clientele, hotels are among the most popular of auction venues. But for obvious reasons, hotels prefer to give deals to clients who book sleeping rooms as part of their ... Read On >
Mastermind in California for benefit auction business
Though I am a benefit auctioneer based in Virginia, I travel a lot. And I enjoy it! Six times in February and seven times in March I was on a plane or train headed off to work or visit clients. Most of that travel was along the East Coast, but this trip was out West ...to California! Earlier this year I was in Los Angeles for a related business conference, but this is a new group. This trip is part of a 12-month Mastermind program focused on using new media (the Internet) in a business ... Read On >
Vertical silent auction displays without using acrylic stands
I've previously written about silent auction displays and mentioned that keeping it vertical is the key to a good display. But if you don't like the look of acrylic stands, or have more time than money (acrylic stands can be pricey), here are some other vertical options. Option 1: Oversized Vertical Silent Auction Displays The following displays were made out of a posterboard-type material. In speaking with the staff, I learned that the hospital foundation auction team (3 ... Read On >
When to send your auction thank you letter
Today I received an email from one of my clients. She wrote, "What's the "correct" way to thank donors? Do I send an auction thank you letter when I receive the item ... AND after the gala? Or is it OK to just send one letter? I don't want to be redundant, but I also don't want to be rude." I thought her question was insightful. She's a young, hip Development Director, and she's got manners. Good manners can build your auction's reputation for the long haul. Second, this question brings ... Read On >
A School Auction Excels at Marketing a Potato Cannon
The right unique school auction items will sell for high dollar in your gala. And a potato cannon, made by the school's beloved maintenance department, in an all-boys Catholic school ... is a perfect example of that. The cannon sold for $1000 at the school auction... twice. (Once the Auction Chair saw how well it was selling, she confirmed the maintenance team would be willing to build another one. The school doubled its revenue on that item.) Not only is this a fun idea, but what ... Read On >