Podcast – Episode 10: BENEFIT AUCTION SUMMIT 2025
Recorded on-site at Benefit Auction Summit 2025 in Montréal, Bobby D. gathers quick, high-impact tactics from top fundraising auctioneers, tech partners, and consignment pros.
You’ll hear how to place your paddle raise, engineer a frictionless guest experience, leverage pre-commitments and analytics, diversify auction packages, and elevate post-event stewardship—all to spark generosity and maximize revenue.
You’ll walk away ready to:
Decide where to put your paddle raise for maximum lift
Design a donor-centric run of show and guest journey
Use pre-commits, matches, and data to prime big gifts
Curate auction items that fit your exact donor profile
Reduce stress with the right software and better pre-event data
Build momentum with gratitude and cultivation after the gala
Key Takeaways
Paddle Raise Placement: Often first—focus the room, tell the story, make the ask, then run your live auction. (Erin K.)
Guest Experience Wins: Prior proper planning = no wasted time; smooth beats fancy. (Kelly R.)
Work Your Data: Identify last year’s $5k+ donors; confirm attendance and pre-commit levels. (Seth)
Engage Every Table: Your stage performance and floor team should pull every dollar available—connection + momentum. (Dan C.)
Item Mix Matters: Balance travel, sports, food/wine, and experiences to reach more bidders. (Darren, Go Charity)
Gratitude = ROI: Next-day, specific thanks to donors fuels long-term giving. (Dan “Black Ice”)
Break the Ice: Try a surprise VIP Table Auction pre-dinner to energize the room and recognize sponsors. (Francis)
Fewer Speeches, Stronger Story: Tight testimonials + paddle raise > long podium remarks. (Dean)
White-Glove Fulfillment: Choose consignment partners who pamper buyers—memories = repeat giving. (Brittany, LuxGive)
Underwrite Raffles: Get golden ticket/raffle prizes sponsored so revenue is 100% margin—and show sponsor ROI live. (Michael, Mitch-Stuart)
Eliminate Check-in Lines: Use software that collects full guest data (and meal prefs) before event day. (Candace; Lori, Octria)
Bring Pros in Early: Engage your auctioneer/strategist during planning to design money moments. (Christa)
Shift the Mindset: Treat guests as strategic partners, not targets; design for cultivation. (Scott Jones, CFRE)
Theme Your Last Level: Tie final paddle level to an on-theme prize (e.g., custom boots in Texas). (Carrie, Biddy Up)
Passive Revenue: Test a “Vacation Station”—QR-code buy-nows on curated travel for incremental profit. (Mission First idea, shared by Bobby)
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Bobby D:
Hey there everyone—Bobby D here at Benefit Auction Summit 2025, surrounded by 50+ elite fundraising auctioneers. I’m grabbing rapid-fire tips you can use to raise more at your gala. Let’s go.
Bobby D → Erin Kinsel:
One tip nonprofits can use right now?
Erin:
Put the paddle raise first. Get them focused, tell the story, ask for money, then do the live auction.
Bobby D → Kelly Russell:
Your best lever?
Kelly:
Guest experience. Plan everything in advance so guests never feel their time is wasted. Smooth = generous.
Bobby D → Seth (“Your Auctioneer”):
What moves the needle?
Seth:
Analytics. Who gave $5k last year? Call them. Confirm they’re attending and pre-commit levels. When they raise paddles, others follow.
Bobby D → Dan (Canada):
Your one thing?
Dan:
Engage the crowd and work every dollar. Performance + connection drives bids.
(Dan riffs an auction chant; the room smiles.)
Bobby D → Darren (Go Charity):
Consignment tip?
Darren:
Offer a varied collection—mix travel, sports, and food/wine so more bidders see something irresistible.
Bobby D → Dan “Black Ice” Newman:
Post-event must?
Dan N.:
Specific gratitude the next day. Intentional thanks pays long-term dividends.
Bobby D → Francis:
Favorite icebreaker?
Francis:
A surprise VIP Table Auction pre-dinner. Hats, champagne, small perks. Fun + sponsor love + early dollars.
Bobby D → Dean (author of Paddles Up):
Program advice?
Dean:
Fewer speeches. Tight testimonial + paddle raise. Tell the story in minutes, not monologues.
Bobby D → Brittany (LuxGive):
Consignment success factor?
Brittany:
White-glove service. Treat buyers like Fabergé eggs—memories = repeat giving.
Bobby D → Michael (Mitch-Stuart):
Raffle pro tip?
Michael:
Underwrite your golden ticket/raffle prize so 100% of revenue is net—and the sponsor sees ROI live.
Bobby D → Candace (Knockout Fundraising) & Lori (OCTRIA):
Tech that reduces stress?
Candace:
Collect complete guest data before the event via your platform—no lines, happy donors.
Lori:
Start early; use software that streamlines the entire guest journey.
Bobby D → Christa (A Touch of Class):
Planning cadence?
Christa:
Bring your professional auctioneer in early to design money moments and new revenue ideas.
Bobby D → Scott Jones, CFRE:
Biggest mindset shift?
Scott:
Make events primarily about relationship building. Stop seeing attendees as targets—treat them as strategic partners. Align their passions with your mission and the funds will flow.
Bobby D → Carrie (Biddy Up Auctions):
Last-level magic?
Carrie:
Tie your final paddle level to a themed prize the winner takes home (e.g., custom cowboy boots in Austin).
Bobby D (show-and-tell):
Vacation Station: QR-code “buy-now” banner of curated travel (Mission First). Zero risk; ambassadors explain fulfillment. Great passive revenue during connection hour.
Bobby D → Dusty Clink (Call to Auction):
Parting advice?
Dusty:
Proper planning and right-time placement—mission moment → paddle raise → auction. Set up your money moments.
Bobby D (closing):
Massive thanks to our colleagues for sharing the goods. If you want intros to any of these pros—or help implementing these ideas—reach out. Auction is action with U in it! Like, subscribe, do all the things. See you next time!
Ready to Raise More?
At Call to Auction, Ready to Raise More? We specialize in turning galas and fundraising events into mission-driven, revenue-generating experiences. From paddle raises to live auctions, our team knows how to excite donors, engage audiences, and inspire generosity in the moment.
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