Walker Auctions

Auction Galas and a Few New Trends

walkerauctions — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:00:47 +0000

Things have certainly changed in my life since July 17, 2009. That was the date I won the International Auctioneer Championship. These last few months have been very exciting, as well as very busy. I have been traveling, not only with my benefit auctions, but with opportunities to speak at auctioneer association meetings. I have had several radio and magazine interviews.
This past weekend I spent some time with the California auctioneers at Lake Tahoe. I gave a seminar on bid calling, judged the competition for their Auctioneer Bid Calling Champion and judged the advertising competition. Learning from auctioneers is a great way to grow your business.
The benefit auctions I have been doing lately are going quite well. The live auction is still bringing in the largest percentage compared to value. The silent auction is next and the online auctions are still bringing in about 50% to 65% of value. The online auctions are still the best way in dealing with too many silent items.
The Fund-A-Need is still a great way fund a specific need. I am encouraged with the generosity of the people across the country as they give to this item. In order for a Fund-A-Need do well it has be done right. Placing it in the right order of the evening and using the correct terminology makes all the difference.
The trends in benefit auctions are constantly changing. I try to stay on top of the new ideas, good and bad, that my clients try. The number of live auction items is a trend I see changing. In the past, a group may have 60 to 80 live auction items. The trend now is to have 12 to 30 items depending on your region of the United States.
I will add ideas to my blog as I see clients try them. It is important to stay on top if these trends. We love to work with those movers and shakers in the community who will try new ideas. Thank you to these individuals who are always on top of things.

A Benefit Auctioneer?

walkerauctions — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:32:53 +0000

As owner and auctioneer of Walker Benefit Auctions I receive steady streams of questions asking about the effects this troubled economy is having on benefit auctions. Several of my clients are even wondering if they should spend time and effort on a gala. The answer to that question is YES. Our company was doing auctions during the last recession and some of our more profitable events today continued through those tough times. For this year’s event you may want to take a step back and look to see if there are any changes that need to be made in your auction. The excitement level needs to be high and an atmosphere of spending should be felt in the room. A benefit auctioneer can make the difference in creating that atmosphere. The advice of a benefit auctioneer gives can take you in the right direction and help achieve dollars in new and unusual ways. You may think that hiring a benefit auctioneer is too expensive, however, it has been proven that hiring an auctioneer adds to your bottom line, not take away from it. Walker Benefit Auctions has the opportunity to do large and small auctions throughout the United States and Canada. We have learned much from these events from various areas of the country and are eager to share new ideas with our clients. An auctioneer with specialized training in the area of benefit auctions will help produce results that will not only raise you more dollars but will share ideas that will help in the transition and growth of your event. As you are thinking about your auction during these challenging times, look at every aspect and take note of previous events to determine what is profitable and what is not. Be creative and do things that will make your audience comfortable and happy. A happy bidder will bid more than once and that is what generates a successful event. If you have questions or need new ideas check with Walker Benefit Auctions.