In February I participated in a PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) expo in Chicago. Though I've participated in many trade shows when I worked at GE, I'd never participated in a trade show as part of my own company. I thought I'd give it a shot to see how it would go. The Chicago event is one of the largest PTO expos. Organizers mentioned that 600 or 700 people had registered. I was tucked in amidst a sea of traditional fundraising concepts: candy ... bags ... gift wrap ... etc. No surprise ... Read On >
Blog Post
How Daymond John’s sales team talked me out of buying his program
Heads up: This isn't a benefit auction post. You can jump to another section of the blog for that. I was just so disappointed in a presentation I attended today (March 2014) that I typed up this post to clear my head and to remind myself of what not to do when I'm giving a speak-to-sell presentation. A couple of months ago, I had lunch with my friend Suzanne. She had recently launched her own business and was commenting that she'd invested in a program from Daymond John Academy. She ... Read On >
Auction Signage Part 3: The best signs for your silent auction sections
Signs for your silent auction sections can be used annually, if you put some thought into the design before you print them. Avoid themes. To go easy on your budget, make your silent auction signs timeless. Avoid thematic signs that look great one year, but don't fit into the following year's concept. You'll quickly realize that this year's disco glitter signs don't easily transfer to African safari themes next year. Though I enjoy themes (and think guests do as well), it's OK if your signage ... Read On >
Auction Signage Part 2: Flexible directional auction signage for your gala
Most benefit auction galas take place across several rooms. Registration and checkout might be in one area, the silent auction elsewhere and the ballroom in a third space. Some groups have a VIP reception elsewhere. A benefit auction last fall had guests enter a rejuvenated dairy barn. The space was beautiful, but there were no restrooms inside. Guests were directed to portable toilets outside. To help your attendees move through your space, you'll be relying on directional signage. Directional ... Read On >
Auction Signage Part 1: Use reversible silent auction signs to keep costs down
This week I'm sharing ideas on signage for your auction. Today's tip is to think reversible. That is, are you using the back of your signs? "Nope," say you? Consider what activities happen at the beginning of the evening versus the end of the evening. Put those on reverse sides of the signage. For instance ... Registration ... Checkout Coat check ...Gift bag pickup VIP reception ... Item pickup Here are some other blog posts to give you ideas on keeping auction signage ... Read On >