| There is nothing more frustrating than attending a silent | | | | linens, use a roll of newsprint from the art room at the |
| auction fundraiser where auction items have been | | | | local school. Get students (or parent volunteers) to |
| haphazardly displayed. Visually pleasing auction tables | | | | paint a theme on the paper and tape it around the |
| are a high priority! You want bidders to get excited | | | | tables. You can get creative with artwork, it all |
| about theitems you are displaying. Your goal is to | | | | depends on your theme! (This idea is great when doing |
| encourage people to bid on items - not pass them by. | | | | a school fundraiser. Get the kids involved!) |
| How you set up auction tables depends on the actual | | | | If using fabric or table linens, place small-to-medium |
| number of auction items and the amount of space you | | | | sized boxes UNDER the fabric to make "display |
| have to work with. Go out to your venue and | | | | stands" for auction items. For example: a set of |
| physically pre-determine where you are going to set | | | | earrings would be more noticeable displayed higher |
| up silent auction tables. Do a configuration of how you | | | | than other items. It is also wise to keep "original" gift |
| want to place the tables and make sure you allow | | | | certificates with the event cashier(s) and display |
| plenty of "elbow room." | | | | "mock" certificates in plexi-frames on the silent auction |
| It is wise to set up "mock" tables before the day of | | | | tables. |
| the event to show how you want the auction items | | | | By using fabric, skirting, and/or newsprint, you not only |
| arranged. When arranging mock tables, remember to | | | | make your tables more appealing, you create space |
| place a bid sheet beside or in front of each item. Bid | | | | under the tables for hiding boxes, bags, packaging, etc. |
| sheets are printed on 8 1/2" x 11" paper and take up a | | | | (This space comes in very handy for volunteers' |
| fair chunk of space on the table. | | | | purses, water bottles and shoes from sore feet!) |
| Collect or cut out 8 1/2" x 11" pieces of cardboard in | | | | People like to SEE and FEEL what they are bidding on! |
| case you need to "mount" a bid sheet, e.g., when | | | | Never display items in their original packaging, e.g., take |
| displaying a picture on a wall, hang the bid sheet with a | | | | the toaster out of the box and put a couple slices of |
| cardboard backing from the picture itself. The | | | | bread in it! |
| cardboard backing gives bidders a hard surface to | | | | Auction items don't necessarily have to be placed on |
| write on. Use ribbon, raffia, or twine to attach the bid | | | | tables - utilize floor space, easels, room dividers, etc., |
| sheet to auction items. (Use a foldback clip to attach | | | | when planning your layout. Get creative and arrange |
| the bid sheet to the cardboard.) | | | | plants, furniture and other large auction items in |
| Tables are normally 6 or 8 feet long and 4 feet wide. | | | | groupings. (Make sure you have individual bid sheets |
| You can use both sides of a 4-foot-wide table to | | | | attached to the items so bidders know they are part |
| display items, as long as the tables are not pushed up | | | | of the auction!) When displaying lamps, try to locate |
| against a wall. Use tulle, painted cardboard scenes, | | | | them near a plug - they look so much more appealing |
| fabric, stars, shapes, etc., as dividers down the center | | | | lit up. |
| of tables, to utilize both sides of the length of the | | | | Cello-wrapped wine, food, and spa baskets are great |
| tables. | | | | in auctions, although you don't want an overabundance |
| If tables are pushed up against a wall, use easels, | | | | of them. If it is difficult to see what is inside a particular |
| stands, etc., behind the tables or use the wall itself to | | | | basket, list the contents so that guests know what |
| display items, e.g., pictures and sculptures. | | | | they are bidding on. |
| Depending on the number of items you have collected, | | | | It is also important to ensure auction items are in good |
| you can either place items sporadically or sort them | | | | shape, clean, and in proper working order, e.g., batteries |
| into specific categories such as food/dining, jewelry, | | | | in the flashlight! |
| spa/health/fitness, sports, travel, children, etc. | | | | As a final touch place tea lights, sparkles or colored |
| Drape fabric over your auction tables to make them | | | | glitter on auction tables to help create a theme or |
| look more appealing. Fabric stores will often lend you a | | | | enhance the ambiance. |
| bolt or two of material in exchange for a mention in | | | | After ensuring the auction tables are properly set up, it |
| your evening's program. | | | | is a good idea to have volunteers man the tables. |
| "Skirting" the silent auction tables is an alternative to | | | | They will keep an eye on the bid sheets, ensure the |
| using fabric. Hotels, restaurants, and golf clubs normally | | | | bid increments are being placed correctly and answer |
| have an abundance of skirting and table linens on hand. | | | | any questions the bidders may have. In essence, the |
| Make sure you pre-arrange skirting and linens with the | | | | volunteers become the "salespeople" of the visually |
| venue coordinator. | | | | pleasing auction tables you have taken so much time |
| If you cannot get your hands on fabric, skirting, or table | | | | and effort to set up! |