23rd December 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
One key to a good silent auction is to have an attractive vertical display. Acrylic stands are an excellent option, but if you prefer a different look, or are willing to spend more time creating something from ...
14th December 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
Whether you are a volunteer Gala Chair or a paid Special Events Manager, you want your event to be a success. Let's look at some investments which will make your job easier and make you look good!
1. Invest ...
14th December 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
Those "can't-be-bought-in-stores" items will always sell well in a benefit auction. A potato cannon ... lovingly crafted by the school's maintenance department ... in an all-boys Catholic school ... is a perfe...
14th December 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
What is the one item at your auction that gets guests talking? If you haven't found one yet, I have a great suggestion for you which would work in either the silent auction or possibly the live.
Today I dro...
11th December 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
Occasionally I'll have a conversation with a non-profit attempting to build awareness of their gala by inviting a well-recognized actor or musician to its event.
The charity's goal is multi-faceted. The pres...
09th December 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
Some of the fundraising auctions we conduct have a diverse mix of guests. The crowd appears to be divided into three distinct segments
- non-paying clients
- non-paying or reduced-ticket-price employees ...
25th November 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
Sometimes when I speak with non-profits about their benefit auction, they are adamant that their crowd is unusually loud. "Oh, our guests really like to party," one will say, or "They don't ever pay attention,...
24th November 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
This past spring, one of my clients experienced a higher-than-usual 9.5 percent no-show rate at their benefit auction. If all of the no-shows had been seated together (they weren't), it would have amounted to o...
24th November 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
Whether you are a true gourmand or simply a gal who enjoys a good meal (I fall into this second category), you and your benefit auction audience will love a farm-to-table dining experience. This trend has been...
24th November 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
Items which are considered "one of a kind" will always sell well in benefit auctions. What could be more unique than getting to participate in a movie or television production!
One of the most popular items...
24th November 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
Without donors, your organization would have no benefit auction. So in order to maintain your event's good reputation, demonstrate good manners by thanking your donors.
Remember that the donors - not the buy...
23rd November 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
Imagine the scenario ...
You've agreed to chair the Auction Committee for your favorite charity. You're excited because you have a lot of new ideas, but you also feel overwhelmed. You've heard that many bene...
23rd November 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
Relationships between people can be complicated, but I tend to have complex relationships with centerpieces.
As an event planner, I loved centerpieces. If I needed to "dress" the room in a cost-effective ma...
23rd November 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
Cocktails are popular! As I travel around the United States, I often read an article on the train or plane about a hot new cocktail bar, a cool new bartender with a tempting new drink, or even the best tunes t...
21st November 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Red Apple Auctions LLC
As part of our full-service consultation plan with clients, we often work with organizations to help them structure their benefit auction for maximum revenues. Part of our dialogue is centered around the timel...
