May 2013: Red Apple Auctions’ helps homeless shelter raise $90,000
The Carpenter’s Shelter 11th Annual Cook-Off attracted a record 650 attendees, 23 restaurants and chefs, and raised $90,000. Read the article (and see Sherry running the live auction) here.
January 2013: Truhlar shares “Five Steps” on Nonprofit Spark radio show
Renee McGivern, host of Nonprofit Spark on WebTalkRadio, brought fundraising auctioneer Sherry Truhlar back to the show to share “Five Steps to a Great Fundraising Auction.” Listen to the 41 minute show here.
January 2013: Truhlar contributes to arts blog
Truhlar has been asked to contribute monthly content to the ArtsToMarket blog, which educates independent artists on marketing. Her first post is “Considering a benefit auction to raise money for your art league? Hint: Don’t sell art.”
August 2012: Benefit auctioneer Truhlar takes 1st runner-up
Red Apple Auctions’ founder Sherry Truhlar nabs 1st runner-up in a statewide auction competition. Click here to read the article or watch a video of her competing here.
August 2012: Truhlar featured guest on Nonprofit Spark radio show
Renee McGivern, host of Nonprofit Spark broadcast on WebTalkRadio, interviewed benefit auctioneer Sherry Truhlar on “Five marketing ideas to immediately boost your silent auction results.” Listen to the 37 minute show here.
August 2012: Truhlar snags 2nd place trophy in Virginia state chanting contest
From a field of 12 men and two women, fundraising auctioneer Sherry Truhlar took home $300 and the 2nd place trophy from the Virginia Champion Auctioneer contest. Learn why she believes the contest my be more difficult for auctioneers specializing in benefits by reading the press release. See a video of the competition here.
July 2012: Truhlar featured in The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, WA)
The Spokesman-Review covered some of the female auctioneers competing in the International Auctioneers Championship (IAC) in Spokane, WA. Watch the clip of “The Women of the Auction World.”
July 2012: Truhlar advances to finals in International Auctioneer Championship 2012
In a field of 24 women, Virginia auctioneer Sherry Truhlar competed as a finalist during the International Auctioneer Championship (IAC) 2012 contest held in Spokane, WA. The contest is overseen by the National Auctioneers Association.
March 2012: Truhlar included in nonprofit leadership series
As part of an interview series of influencers, leaders, and movers-and-shakers working within the nonprofit industry, Don Akchin of Nonprofit Marketing and Fundraising Zone spoke with Sherry about her journey into the world of auctioneering and plus-size modeling. Read the story here.
January 2012: Just released! Annual Auction Item Guide™ helps auction committees tackle procurement
This latest procurement tool reveals over 100 items that sold for over list value in nonprofit auctions last year. The accompanying .mp3 advises acquisitions committees on where and how to seek donations. Read the press release.
Fall 2011: Camillus House’s Hope for All gala listed as one of Miami’s “Most Notable Philanthropic Events”
Camillus House’s December gala was listed by Ocean Drive as a key upcoming event. The charity provides services to the homeless of Miami-Dade County. This is the fourth year Red Apple Auctions has served as auctioneer for the event.
October 2011: CASA of Greater Prince William draws 1,000 supporters and hits record-setting donations, despite weather-related venue change.
“Evening Under the Stars” has been the most well-attended gala in Prince William county, but not necessarily the most profitable. Red Apple Auctions was hired to change that. Live auction items jumped from selling at 80% of value to 140% of value; the cash appeal grew from $3000 to $13,000+. Read the press release.
September 2011: Truhlar pens “Where to Get Auction Items” article
Industry publication Missouri Meetings & Events magazine offers ideas for more productive and creative meetings and events. In her second article for the publication, Sherry offers procurement advice: “Where to Get Prizes When No One is Donating.
September 2011: Rappahannock County School Foundation Scores More Than 100% at Annual Fundraiser
Charity auctioneer Sherry Truhlar led a live auction that hit 107% return on investment for the charity. Read the press release here. Some guests included this couple, Neville, Nessa, Susie, and Hugh.
Fall 2011: Capitol File covers charity auction hosted by Food & Friends.
Capitol File was on hand to witness the 21st Annual Chef’s Best Dinner and Auction at The Washington Hilton. The event is attended by over 1000 guests and the live auction is a significant portion of the program. Benefit auctioneer Sherry Truhlar was photographed working.
August 2011: Truhlar speaks at 2011 MPI, Virginia Chapter (VAMPI) Convention in Hampton, VA.
In her talk Benefit Auction Technology & Trends: Tools That Get Guests to Give, Sherry shared the pros and cons of 25 vendors selling technology into the charity auction industry. This was her second invitation to speak to VAMPI.
May 2011: Truhlar selected to be regular contributing writer to charity golf tournament publication.
For how-to advice, Charity Golf Events Magazine relies on benefit auctioneer Sherry Truhlar to provide practical content for those including an auction in their tournament. Read her first article Silent Doesn’t Sell on page 8. It covers the importance of sound systems.
May 2011: Truhlar featured speaker (twice) at Missouri Meetings & Events Expo
Auctioneer Sherry Truhlar spoke twice during the 2-day St. Louis, MO Boot Camp for event planners. She presented Marketing Savvy Behind Outrageously Profitable Auctions and Irresistible Fundraising to Get Guests to Thrown Down Cash.
May 2011: Truhlar interviewed for Nonprofit Spark radio show
Host Renee McGivern invited Sherry to share benefit auction tips on marketing. Listen to the 54-minute interview here.
April 2011: Volunteers offered tips for honoring Mother Earth in gala preparations
Fundraising auctions consume natural resources and generate enormous waste. For sustainability-minded planners, Truhlar offers tips for those planning green galas.
March 2011: Benefit auctioneer Sherry Truhlar graduates from revered professional auctioneer education program.
The Certified Auctioneer Institute (CAI) program is held at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN and overseen by the National Auctioneers Foundation. The three-year training focuses on fostering specific skills needed to operate a successful auction firm.
Spring 2011: Truhlar selected as contributing writer to Missouri Meetings & Events, the region’s premier magazine for the meetings industry.
In her debut article “Making Your Silent Auction Slick: How Handheld Devices and Other Electronics Glam Up Your Gala,” Truhlar considers how silent auctions have changed through the use of technology.
November 2010: Truhlar quoted in Town & Country article, “The Charity Auction: They’re as common as colds this season…“
Writer Bob Morris covers some of the trials and tribulations of charity auctions. He interviews four auctioneers: Simon de Pury of Phillips de Pury, Jamie Niven of Sotheby’s, George McNeely of Christie’s, and Sherry Truhlar of Red Apple Auctions.
September 2010: Headwaters Foundation tells Rappahannock News why gala improved
Toni Egger, Headwaters Foundation executive director says, “I really credit them [Red Apple Auctions] with smartening us up about how to run an effective and efficient event,” she said. “They more than paid for themselves.” Read the article here.
August 2010: Client credits Red Apple Auctions in The Georgetowner
Toni Egger, Headwaters Foundation executive director, explains “We’ve hired Red Apple Auctions of Alexandria to help us with both the silent and live auctions, and they have some great new ideas that we are implementing.” Read the article for details.
July 2010: Truhlar speaks at CMP Conclave in Baltimore, MD on “Website Secrets for Savvy Planners.”
The CMP Conclave is the global annual conference of Certified Meeting Professionals (CMPs). The professional designation is overseen by the Convention Industry Council and demonstrates planners with advanced knowledge in event management. Truhlar is believed to be the only professional benefit auctioneer who also is a CMP.
July 2010: Truhlar blogs benefit auction advice for VolunteerSpot
VolunteerSpot is an online application to quickly mobilize and coordinate volunteers. Truhlar will guest blog on the site, providing monthly benefit auction advice, inspiration, and ideas for school volunteers planning auctions. Her first article is Fresh Food Brings More Funds to the Table.
June 2010: Truhlar tapped to provide monthly charity auction tips for Vivanista blog
Vivanista is a new member-based, lifestyle community for fundraising volunteers. Truhlar has been asked to regularly blog as the resident benefit auction expert.
April 2010: Alexandria auctioneer trains with the best at Certified Auctioneers Institute
Sherry Truhlar, President of Red Apple Auctions, recently completed her second year of courses at the prestigious Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI). The program is the industry’s premier training program developed by the National Auctioneers Foundation for auction professionals. Read the press release here.
Spring 2010: Capitol File highlights two Red Apple Auctions clients
Capitol File features two clients in its current edition. The Greater Washington Region Heart Ball organized by the American Heart Association Greater Washington chapter enjoys a side column and the Passion for Charity Gala organized by Capital Hospice is in the In Focus section.
March 2010: The Eleusis of Chi Omega highlights member
The publication of the Chi Omega Fraternity spotlighted Truhlar in its “Chi Omegas Flourish” section. “Six years ago, Sherry Truhlar booked a one-week vacation at the Missouri Auction School.
Winter 2010: Emporia State University’s Spotlight includes update
Truhlar’s feature in the The Washington Post Magazine caught the attention of her alma mater. The University included a mention of the benefit auctioneer’s accolade in its “Through the Years” section.
October 2009: Auctioneer includes Truhlar in its NAA Member News section
AUCTIONEER, the official publication of the National Auctioneers Association, included benefit auctioneer Sherry Truhlar’s summer feature from The Washington Post Magazine in its monthly publication.
Fall 2009: Sole female auctioneer competes to third place finish in Virginia Auctioneer Championship
Seventeen auctioneers competed in the 32nd Annual Champion Auctioneer’s Contest August 1, 2009 in Richmond, VA. Fundraising auctioneer Sherry Truhlar, the only female, placed third. Earlier that day, she spoke on “Establishing Your Benefit Auction Business.” Read the magazine or her blog post.
September 2009: Women in Film & TV Newsletter highlights Truhlar
The Washington, DC chapter of Women in Film and TV highlighted charity auctioneer and other members achieving new levels of success and visibility in their respective fields. Read the news brief here.
September 2009: Truhlar advises on keeping volunteers in The Funding Edge
The Funding Edge, a newsletter published by the benefit auction software company Auctionpay, leads with an article written by Sherry Truhlar. The issue is devoted to volunteer-related ideas, challenges, and suggestions. Read Four Tips to Keeping Auction Volunteers Engaged
July 2009: The Washington Post Magazine features Sherry Truhlar in “Making It” section
“Making It” profiles “true stories of people who turned their passions into profit and found their true callings.” Red Apple Auctions was the niche business featured in the July 19, 2009 The Washington Post Magazine. Three clients were also mentioned.
June 2009: The Georgetowner tips hat to Red Apple Auctions in social scene section
Six days a week, Food and Friends delivers three meals a day to more than 1,400 individuals living with life-challenging illnesses. The non-profit’s Chef’s Best gala is almost as complex, with over 1,000 guests sampling food from 50 chefs. The Georgetowner’s Mary Bird observed as the Red Apple Auctions team oversaw the auction.
May 2009: Truhlar oversees inaugural benefit auction for American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)
The May 2009 issue of AUCTIONEER magazine, the official publication of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA), updated its members about NAA’s work with the ASAE. The group’s inaugural benefit auction was conducted by Sherry Truhlar at the Association’s Springtime Expo. The results prompted ASAE to schedule another benefit auction at its annual meeting, to be held in Toronto in August 2009.
March 2009: Benefit Auctioneer Sherry Truhlar awarded Larry McCool Scholarship
Sherry Truhlar was one of four auctioneers awarded the full tuition Larry McCool Scholarship to attend the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) on the campus of Indiana University this month. CAI is a three-year executive development program focused on developing the skills and providing the tools necessary to run a quality auction firm. Read Truhlar’s blog post about her week.
Nov. 2008: Sherry Truhlar is “Model of Success,” balancing careers as auctioneer and fashion model
AUCTIONEER profiled benefit auctioneer Sherry Truhlar, kicking off a series of features examining auctioneers who maintain unusual part-time jobs. Truhlar contrasts her career as a fashion model with that of being a benefit auctioneer. Read the story and see photos of both careers here.
September 2008: Two Red Apple Auctions clients selected for inclusion as “Washington’s Top 100″ events
Area event professionals, including Sherry Truhlar, celebrated BizBash Washington’s Top 100 annual events issue. Attendees included leaders of the major D.C. activities in categories such as benefits, political and press, holiday, and sporting events. Two Red Apple Auctions’ clients — the Larry King Cardiac Foundation and the Washington Performing Arts Society — were selected as not-to-be-missed benefits.
