It's been three years since I last competed in the Virginia Auctioneers Association (VAA) State Champion Auctioneer contest. In 2009 I took 3rd place (2nd runner-up, as they say). You can see photos from that event here. Since then, I'd not entered the contest. In part, I've been busy growing my business. But another reason was that I hated the heat. The facility -- though very nice and the owner always arranged for this awesome BBQ -- wasn't air conditioned. There I'd be, in a light wool ... Read On >
contests
VIDEO: Benefit auctions versus online non-profit contests: Where’s the big payoff?
There has been a plethora of online contest for nonprofits recently. "The most votes wins $10,000 for your charity," is the standard approach. But beware of the staff time involved in drumming up support for votes. As volunteers and staff are pulled away from working on benefit auctions to instead driving votes online, the auction - which offers you a guaranteed income - suffers. Watch the video below. ... Read On >
NYC benefit auctions – Prepare your entries for Style Awards
BizBash is now accepting online entries for the 2010 New York Event Style Awards. If you're running any benefit auctions in the city that never sleeps, get into gear. The deadline is September 24, 2010. Just last Wednesday the finalists for the Windy City awards were announced. I spotted a few Chicago charity auctions among the group. Now I'm hoping to see some stellar submissions from NYC benefit auctions, too. The online entry form claims to be easy, so head to BizBash New York's website ... Read On >
Congrats to the 2010 finalists for BizBash Chicago Event Style awards
In July, I alerted readers to the call for entries for applying for the BizBash event awards in Chicago. Congratulations to the finalists. There are several nonprofit and associations listed, even in the traditional categories– huzzah! Some of them even had a live or silent auction as part of their gala. Based on my observation of the Washington, D.C. awards, BizBash has traditionally favored event "glitz" over event "financials." Large glamorous fundraising events seem to earn more kudos ... Read On >
Benefit Auctions v. Online Nonprofit Contests: Where’s the payoff?
Recently a number of my benefit auction clients have been participating in online contests for nonprofits. Most of them are not feeling "warm and fuzzy" when the contest ends. "Don't even mention the word "Pepsi" to me," said one, who was exhausted after coming *that* close to winning thousands in the Pepsi Refresh challenge, only to lose by a handful of last-minute online votes to a competing nonprofit. Then she said something I've also heard from others: "With so much time having been ... Read On >