My team and I worked an event in southern Virginia which was one of the most attractive and creative auction themes I've attended. It wasn't a large audience -- the crowd only numbered around 225 -- but the decor and atmosphere was exquisite! It was one of the more magical auctions I've attended. The theme was Treasures of the Deep. All things of underwater intrigue could be found here. The dark, mysterious, quiet of the ocean seemed to come alive in this fitness facility (not that you could ... Read On >
entertainment
Auction Procurement Tip: Use your location to make celebrity connections
If you're like many who sit on an auction procurement committee, you likely want at least one item from a celebrity. But you may have no "connections." How can you improve the odds of getting a donation? If you're not afraid to reach out and spend some time on the computer, your physical location could turn a cold lead into a warmer one. Sometimes knowing about a possible donation is simply about being in the right place at the right time. Here's an example. I love the band Pink Martini and ... Read On >
Why portrait photography works at an auction fundraiser
Three of my galas this past year have had professional portraits offered on-site. The photo offers guests a remembrance of your auction fundraiser. Portrait photography works especially well for an auction gala which has co-workers attending, such as corporate and hospital foundations. Guests look spiffy, so the photos show employees in their best light (all the better, considering those photos may show up on the company intranet). Portrait photography works for four reasons. The ... Read On >
School auction themes: “Bullish” in the Wild West
I'd not seen this entertainment activity at any of our other galas. This private school auction had a western-themed fundraiser. To add to the ambiance, they brought in a mechanical bull for guests to ride during the silent auction portion of the evening. Although guests were wary at first, they eventually warmed to the idea to try it. The bull was positioned in the middle of an inflatable ring. It reminded me of an inflatable swimming pool for children. When the guest was thrown off the bull ... Read On >
Schedule the benefit auction BEFORE the headline entertainment
Are you planning on holding an auction fundraiser with headline entertainment? If so, pay heed to your scheduling. The order of events dramatically affects how much you raise in your benefit auction. Here's an example. For the past two days, I've been representing the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) at ASAE's Springtime Expo in Washington, D.C. (ASAE is the membership association for association staff members. NAA is a member of ASAE.) ASAE has decided to incorporate a benefit ... Read On >