A local college sorority undertakes an auction to raise money for cardiac care.

Even when I’m not working, I’m working.

This past weekend, I traveled to San Diego’s Hyatt Regency to attend a conference which has been on my calendar for months. The hotel is surrounded by Mission Bay, making attendees feel as though we were on our own private tropical island.

Our meetings were in one of hotel ballrooms, but the facility also has a permanent tent on the grounds.  Guess what I saw in that tent on Saturday?  A silent auction!

Alpha Phi's silent auction layout (as photographed through the glass doors of the permanent tent on the hotel grounds)

During lunch break, I popped into the tent to learn more.  Turns out, Alpha Phi sorority of San Diego State University was organizing the auction fundraiser to support the American Heart Association.  The girls weren’t overly welcoming, but I’ll forgive them because I know the stress involved setting up a benefit auction.  (Or maybe they sensed I was a Chi Omega during my college years.)

Later that day, I took this snapshot for any ideas in the silent auction.

The auction layout was good, and I wanted to share a few silent auction tips with you, my blog readers.  Here are my thoughts (as I critique this layout from 30′ away, through a glass door):

• Balloons are color-coordinated to sections.
• Balloons are on long strings, making it easy for guests to see auction categories from wherever one might stand.
• Excellent spacing between auction items and between tables.
• A sound system is in the tent.
• Silent auction displays are attractive (for instance, the bike is out for guests to touch and feel)
  
• Auction signage is large and easy to read.

I was hoping the auctioneer would be someone I’d know, but the sorority was using someone I’d not heard of from Los Angeles.

I have no idea how the event’s fundraising numbers turned out, but from a layout-perspective, both the ballroom and silent auction had some outstanding elements.  From my limited observation, I’d say the sorority was incredibly well-organized for this benefit auction.  (And if they maintained their House GPA while simultaneously organizing this charity auction for 300 people, further kudos are in order.)

Great job, ladies!

(c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC