Last Wednesday, we witnessed a perfect example of the difference a professional auctioneer can make for the revenue and entertainment value of any benefit auction.  About one week prior to their event, a college athletic club made a last minute decision to hire Kip Toner to call their annual auction. Since this was their first year hiring a professional auctioneer, as with many non-profit organizations, there may have been initial concern about budget constraints and the fees associated with booking a professional. These worries were quickly set aside when Kip Toner’s professionalism and benefit auction expertise more than paid for the services he provided. In fact, because they hired a professional auctioneer, this auction doubled their previous year’s revenue, both paying for the auctioneer’s services and providing significant additional income for the cause! Employing all of the tricks of the benefit auction trade and his signature polished yet upbeat style, Kip Toner knew how to make it fun for the guests to give more than ever before.  

KTBA’s professional benefit auctioneers are experts at generating the most revenue possible while providing an entertaining evening with their engaging auctioneering styles. To book a KTBA professional auctioneer for your next event, please contact the KTBA team. We want to show you the difference a professional benefit auctioneer can make for your auction!   

Lately, KTBA has received questions from auction chairs concerned about whether Fund-An-Item™ contributions at benefit auctions have taken a hit from the recent economic downturn.  Our recent experiences with Fund-An-Item™ revenues at benefit auctions have been somewhat surprising, but very positively so!  We have found that while some auctions have not necessarily increased their total at auction revenue, many have seen a marked increase in Fund-An-Item™ contributions.  Loyal donors and supporters realize that unless they go the extra mile for the organizations they believe in, many of those organizations may not be able to continue their important work in this challenging economic climate.  

This is a great year to put some extra effort into your auction’s Fund-An-Item™ appeal.  Try to make it emotional so that it will resonate personally with your prospective donors.  Consider inviting someone to give the Fund-An-Item™ appeal whose life has been significantly changed for the better by the work this appeal will fund.  Make sure that the appeal is brief and effective, and watch the numbers grow!