What experience do you want your benefit auction guests to have at the end of the night? Should the vibe be from a lively full-on dance band? A separate post-party? A quieter conversation. Watch this video to learn the positives, negatives, and considerations to hosting the following activities for your guests. All can be used as a classy way to end your gala --which is your favorite? A. Band / DJ B. Afterglow party C. Post-party (Don't miss the video of the flaming coffee ... Read On >
entertainment
Virtual gala idea: An outsourced foodie experience
A common entertainment activity added to virtual galas has been a mixology class. In 2022, I think it's time to time to do something different. Some gala chairs are preparing to host their third annual online fundraiser. If that sounds like you -- and you haven't made any adjustments since your initial event -- it's time too add some fresh virtual gala ideas. That's why I was pleased to notice this promotion in my recent Zingerman's catalog. Zingerman's is a company I've used for ... Read On >
A unique auction venue sets the stage for Olympic-sized entertainment
One of my clients in the Adirondacks booked a new venue at the base of the Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex. The complex was built for the 1980 Olympic Games and now serves as a training complex for Nordic ski and freestyle aerial jumping. It wasn't enough to have this impressive facility serve as a backdrop. The Executive Director of the foundation took the extra step of having Olympic-hopefuls demonstrate their talent for the benefit of the gala attendees. During the silent ... Read On >
Find Your Name Boards: Recognizing guests at large events (trade show, association and conference auctions)
Traveling fills my imagination with new ideas. I'm still writing about stuff I saw after last month's journey west. Before flying home after the fundraiser, I saw that the 2016 Honolulu Marathon -- the 4th largest marathon in the United States -- had a free trade show. The Hawaii Convention Center was just a short jaunt from my hotel, so I visited. Recall that I already wrote about how this trade show used a Graffiti Wall, which is an idea I've already seen used at a Florida benefit ... Read On >
No budget? This silent auction activity is free and interactive
One of my last auctions of 2016 was in Honolulu, HI. The fundraiser coincided with two large public events -- the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor bombing, and the Honolulu Marathon, which is the 4th largest marathon in the United States. The marathon was scheduled to be run the day after I left, but a free trade show was taking place at the Hawaii Convention Center down the street from my hotel. I put on my sneakers and drove over there. (lol) One of the displays at the trade ... Read On >