And in those 30 minutes, she made me a lifelong fan. She's at an age (born in 1933) when many women would not comfortable showing their arms or their legs. But this gal still has the body and the shimmy to prove it. Or maybe she has the shimmy, and the body to prove it. At any rate, the Red Apple Auctions team was excited to perform on the same stage as Chita at the nonprofit auction last night. No wonder she was on so many Broadway marquees: Chicago, West Side Story, Kiss of the ... Read On >
Entertainment
Review of Boothomatic for silent auctions
I read an article from BizBash magazine entitled "The Photo Booth That Can Capture the Whole Party." It talks about a new portable photo-booth -- AKA, the Boothomatic-- which rolls around the party, enabling guests to take photos wherever they might be. After reading the short article and checking out the photo, here are my off-the-cuff thoughts as to whether the Boothomatic would work in silent auctions. Designed for the younger set My immediate thought is that this is something for a ... Read On >
Auction themes play to underwater mysteries with Treasures of the Deep
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 >
Why portrait photography works at an auction fundraiser
Three of my galas this past year have had professional portraits offered on-site. The photo offers guests a remembrance of your auction fundraiser. Portrait photography works especially well for an auction gala which has co-workers attending, such as corporate and hospital foundations. Guests look spiffy, so the photos show employees in their best light (all the better, considering those photos may show up on the company intranet). Portrait photography works for four reasons. The ... Read On >
Benefit auction item ideas: stock the bar | stock the cellar
The upcoming holiday season has me thinking about seasonal get-togethers. Here's a benefit auction item idea fitting to the season. I heard of an older couple who opted to forego the traditional gifts at their wedding. If any guest wanted to give a gift, the couple suggested bringing a bottle of wine so they could "stock the cellar." (I like this idea. I've got enough "stuff" for my house, but the cellar can always be filled.) Similarly, some bridal showers (co-ed) are "stock the bar" ... Read On >