Last month I spoke at the Missouri Meetings and Events Expo "Boot Camp" in St. Louis. During the cocktail reception, I wandered by an activity that might be included in your silent auction. A green screen was set-up in front of a camera. Fun props were piled on a table nearby. In essence, the subject (moi) selects a background and then "performs" in front of the camera for 6 seconds. Record A Hit had several backgrounds. I selected the St. Louis arch, given our location. Next I had to think ... Read On >
Entertainment
Who opens the headline entertainment at your charity auction?
A couple of times a year, the Red Apple Auctions team works a gala that has booked headline entertainment as part of its show. One of those events is the Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS) gala, one of Washington, DC's top fundraising events. This year the organization announced that over $1 million was raised. Among other things, that means that a lot of children in DC's public schools will have access to an arts education. I like to say, a bit tongue-in-cheek, that Red Apple Auctions ... Read On >
How auction games will get you publicity
I refer to auction games, raffles, and activities as the “bells and whistles” of benefit auctions. It's an understatement to call them revenue generators as they do more than make you money. These are the fun add-ons designed to address specific problems, involve the crowd, trigger fun, attract press, and (yes) make you money. Today’s post addresses the “attract press” piece. Many groups seem decent at securing post-gala publicity, but it's the pre-event recognition that will help you ... Read On >
Making your gala fun with auction games
I’ve said it, and I’ve heard others say it: Charity auctions should emphasize the mission of the nonprofit. Maybe part of the program is devoted to telling the nonprofit’s story. Maybe every live or silent auction item sold has a tie to the mission. Maybe the benefit auctioneer inserts one-liners like, “Remember, .90 cents of every dollar you donate feeds the homeless.” I agree with a mission-focus. But galas also need to be fun. It's rewarding to hear about improved health ... Read On >
Silent auction entertainment ideas for the 20-something crowd.
I received a random email blast for which I'd not signed up. In other words, spam. As I prepared to hit "delete," the words "Silent Party" caught my eye. Thinking it was something related to a silent auction, I struggled to understand the poorly written press release. Baffled, I looked at the photos and clicked the website videos. Aha, I got it. If you're seeking some silent auction entertainment ideas for 20-somethings (Millennials / young professional) crowd, this might work for ... Read On >