Have your auctioneer meet with the auction committe to discuss run of show, items, and unique opportunities.
Allow auctioneer to place auction items in best order. Professional auctioneers know best!
Do not overload auction with too many items.
Include a "Fund-A-Cause" portion of the live auction. This will allow every person attending to contribute!
A good sound system and lighting is a must!
Keep your item descriptions short, and to the point.
Bring in a spokesperson for your event. Ideally someone with a passion for your mission. However, make sure to explain time constraints to keep your event moving. Long-winded announcements can shift the crowd energy.
Make sure to have enough volunteers to cover the room.
It is best to close the silent auction during the live auction portion of your evening. Grab everyone's attention!
If your budget allows, hire professional ringmen (also called spotters). They not only assist the auctioneer, they also can work the crowd up close.