It finally arrived!   My official designation that is….I am now a certified “Benefit Auction Specialist!”  I talked earlier about my experience with BAS in Denver, Colorado and it still is amazing to me how much I was able to pick up.  In fact, a fellow student from the Denver course called me from Texas the other day, and said “that was the best education I have ever received!”  He was right…the combination of sharing ideas and learning new things made the Benefit Auctioneer Specialist Course one of the best things I’ve done!

 

Consider this; with over $15.6 billion raised through charity-benefit auctions annually, more and more non-profits and charities are turning to professional auctioneers to help them raise donations in support of their causes.  In my opinion, this is a very smart move on the part of organizers of benefit auctions.  I still have a hard time understanding why someone would have a “celebrity” auctioneer conduct such an important event!  A professional auctioneer who specializes in benefit auctions WILL raise a lot more money than a “celebrity” auctioneer.  Think about it….if you were scheduled for surgery, would you like to have a “celebrity” doctor perform your surgery?  I think not.

 

So, what exactly is all this BAS stuff about?  Let me try and explain; The BAS program trains auctioneers to enhance their benefit auction services.  Coursework focuses on the fundraising components of the benefit auction event, item acquisition, audience development, contractual agreements, and public relations. A newly developed designation, there are less than 100 auctioneers across the country who have acquired the BAS professional designation.  So what that boils down to, is that less than 1% of Auctioneers throughout North America hold the BAS designation.

 

The bottom line is, we want to help organizations raise as much money as possible for that special cause.  I always enjoy meeting with our clients to discuss and plan the very best ways possible to take advantage of a benefit auction.

 

Coming up we’ve got the Minnesota State Auctioneers Association AND the Wisconsin Auctioneers Association Conference and shows.  Always a lot of fun and a great learning experience.  Stay warm and happy fundraising!