I had a memorable auction last week in upstate New York. I want to tell you about it and share a couple of observations. But first, let me share a story from my early days in USA's capital. Nearly 15 years ago my parents were visiting me in Washington, D.C. In preparation of their visit, I'd purchased tickets for us to watch a performance at the Kennedy Center. Just a week before they arrived, I also won a prize from a radio station. It included tickets to an afternoon performance at a ... Read On >
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25+ non-traditional venues for smaller auctions in the DMV
Got a smaller benefit auction in the Washington, D.C. metro area? I've got a number of clients who have 150 - 300 guests. They are often seeking out interesting, non-traditional venues for smaller auctions here in the DMV. Below is a list of some spots I've seen work or have known my clients to be reviewing. Each will present unique challenges and benefits. UPDATE 2020: Reviewed for accuracy ===================== Washington, D.C. venues AjaxDC (industrial open space plan) - ... Read On >
[VIDEO] Where to start your opening bids in the live auction
Every year I'll be asked by a few auction chairs, "Sherry, let's review the opening bids on these live auction items. Where shall we start them?" In this video and the post that follows it, I've addressed why you shouldn't care about opening bids. https://youtu.be/e32PMbixJGE?si=9rM1-E4u74E6A4ST Here's a conversation I'll have with some clients each year: "Sherry, this item is worth $2500. Where are you going to start the bidding?" "Start?" I'll counter, "It doesn’t matter where ... Read On >
VIDEO: Your Fund a Need auction advocate
If you're interested in running a Fund a Need auction, today (June 23) at 3 PM Eastern time, I'm offering a live webinar called Fabulous Fund a Needs. (Buy the DVD here and you'll be registered for the webinar today). I've written before about them. A growing portion of my business is devoted to doing nothing but the delivery of these speeches. And that's the sub-section I'm writing about today ... the trend of skipping a live and silent auction and just offering a Fund a Need. Each year I ... Read On >
Three ways a Los Angeles auction incorporated high-end wines
Welcome to wine week! Every post this week ties to alcohol. Here's the post explaining why. A few benefit auctions I conduct each year aren't known as wine auctions, but they have such a stellar collection of wine available that the lots could easily be sold in a wine auction and fit right in. This Los Angeles, CA gala is one such event. In fact, the ~300 guests aren't just treated to great wine lots in the auction, but they get to enjoy exquisite wines in several ways throughout the evening. ... Read On >