Many nonprofits end their benefit auctions with dancing from either a DJ or a live band. Traditionally there are two standard layouts for this type of event, and both are poor. The dance floor becomes the area from which the auctioneer works. The auctioneer is on a stage and a huge dance floor (a feature which isn't used but for the last 90 minutes of the event!) is positioned in a top location, directly in front of the stage. Neither of these options works because neither set-up ... Read On >
Audio Visual / Powerpoint
How to control your loud school auction crowd
Is your school auction crowd obnoxiously loud? Though any auction crowd has the potential for being deafening, the loudest auctions tend to be Catholic schools. The parents know each other so quickly find their friends to chat. And let's be honest -- Catholics aren't timid about drinking alcohol, and that has a tendency to increase anyone's personal volume when consumed in excess. This past spring I had a new Catholic school group who prepared me for the worst. "Our crowd is loud," they ... Read On >
[Video] Model this sound system for a silent auction
One of the most difficult venues to hold an auction is in a gym. Though the venue often offers adequate space, it is a difficult place to control audio. By design, gyms are noisy venues. No one wants to sit through a quiet basketball game, so gyms are designed to deflect the slightest utterance. The shape of the building and the hard surfaces reverberate the sound, bouncing it around the room to make the noise louder and less clear. This presents a problem for fundraising auctions. We ... Read On >
VIDEO: Silence doesn’t sell! Q&A on sound systems for charity benefit auctions
Charity benefit auctions are unique in that the sound system required is different than what is needed for a band, singer, or a typical speaker. Learn all the specifics -- what, when, where, why and how -- in this great Q&A. I cover a lot of information about the type of system you need for your next gala. Watch the video below. ... Read On >
PODCAST: Funky sound systems match your benefit auction theme
Incorporating a theme into your benefit auction is optional, but having a sound system is required.If you want to have both a great theme and a kickin'sound system to match, you should know that some companies offer pretty slick sound systems.Listen to the podcast below. ... Read On >