It is always imperative to have a captive audience for your live auction.  So, how do you accomplish this?  We like to conduct the auction during dinner, because this is what we call "Primetime!"  You than have an audience that is seated and paying attention.  Never schedule your live auction as the last event of the evening!  Never have a long program with long-winded speakers before your live auction! 

We always prefer to close the silent auction BEFORE the live auction begins.  If you are featuring some sort of entertainment or a featured speaker, do this AFTER the live auction.  Be sure to start on time and keep things moving!

Also, if you plan on using "Fund-a-Need," here are a couple of tips.  If you have someone from the organization that is a good speaker, and can tell people about the cause in two minutes or less...have them speak.  Immediately after that person speaks, you begin "Fund-a-Need."  People know where their donation will go, and if they plan on giving, are ready to give.  Recently, an organization we helped out did almost a perfect job on this.  The speaker was fantastic and was not very long.  Immediately following the speaker, I went on stage and asked people about giving.  In five minutes, over $57,000 was raised in donations alone!

Here is an example of a timeline for a benefit.  It is very general, but you should get the idea:

5:00 P.M.

·                 Bar is open

·                 Silent auction bidding begins

·                 Live auction preview

·                 Raffle tickets being sold

6:15               6:30               6:45 p.m.

·                 Silent Auction segments are closed

6:45 p.m.

·                 Call the people to dinner; invite guests to be seated and feel free to visit with their friends

7:00 p.m.

·                 Guests are seated.  Welcome is given and the guests are given a thank you.

7:15 p.m.

·                 Raffle Drawing

·                 Dessert Auction

·                 Course 1 appetizer

      7:30 p.m.

·                 Live Auction begins

Remember, start on time....keep the program short....close the silent auction BEFORE the live auction...and NEVER have the live auction last....and make sure everyone is having FUN!

 We had a great September, working with such groups as the Green Bay Packers/Family Services, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, , M.I. Hummel Club, St. Pius Catholic Church, and the Anoka Ramsey Community College Foundation!  Coming up we've got the Zoom House, Madison Club and more!  If you can't tell...WE LOVE WHAT WE DO!