Lord & Taylor department store in Tyson's Corner, VA has a great selection of fine dresses. It's one of my favorite stores to shop when buying gowns and cocktail dresses for benefit auctions. During the store's May sale, I was in a hurry. I quickly scoured the racks, bought three dresses, and took them home. One of the gowns was a Donna Ricco one-shoulder dress. Normally I wouldn't buy a one-shoulder dress for work, and $250 is the top-end of what I'd pay, but it fit so well, hit at the ... Read On >
Auctioneers
The one thing to NEVER say on stage at a benefit auction.
Without a doubt, my pet peeve during this recession has been when the Executive Director, Auction Chair, or some other person of importance gets up to the microphone to say a few words at the benefit auction (e.g. thank sponsors and guests, etc.) and then -- immediately before I walk onstage -- pleads with the audience to "bid high, even though the economy is really bad right now." ARRRRGH! ARRRRGH! What are they doing?! Ladies and gentlemen, remember this: You will never, ever, ever get more ... Read On >
Why are you having a benefit auction? (Be honest.)
Imagine the scenario ... You've agreed to chair the benefit auction for a charity in your hometown. The ball is rolling and in a few months, guests will all gather to your event. You've got lots of ideas, but might feel overwhelmed. You've heard that many benefit auctioneers are booked months in advance, so you've decided to call a few today to get an idea of their services. Stop. Don't pick up the phone until you're clear about one point. You'll save yourself and the benefit auctioneer a ... Read On >