During recent client consultations, discussions turned to when my client should open and close their silent auction. The best answer is, it depends. Do you desire wide participation? Better have your silent auction run entirely online, so more can participate. Do you want to avoid shipping items, or having winners drop by your office to pick up their winnings? Better close the silent auction at the gala and ensure that only gala guests can win packages. There are any number of ... Read On >
gala timeline
The impact of age on gala start times
Some galas attract an older guest base, while events like primary school auctions skew the opposite direction, attracting a young donor base. Consider this when deciding your opening time and overall program/schedule. As I work different events, I've noticed that retired Seniors arrive and leave events early. So if your cause attracts many guests in that demographic, opening your doors earlier than other galas in your city might be a smart move. Additionally, I'd recommend scheduling the ... Read On >
When to close the silent auction (and other tips for post-pandemic galas)
Silent auctions are nearly all online auctions now, using mobile bidding. This launches a question in our post-pandemic world: When is the best time to close the silent auction – before or after the live auction / appeal? After all, with mobile bidding checkout isn't as difficult (guests are charged automatically for purchases), items often aren't at the venue (guests get them later), and mobile bidding allows for wider participation (guests not attending can still participate). In ... Read On >