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Gala Gal, Inc
Gala Gal, Inc
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29 Google reviews
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Hillary Hahmann profile picture
Hillary H
May 15, 2026
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Working with Jenelle was absolutely amazing! She helped guide us every step of the way and made the entire process feel manageable and exciting. Since it was all of our first times fundraising, we truly appreciated how willing she was to share ideas, answer questions, and provide support throughout the event planning process. Thanks to her expertise and guidance, we raised far more money than we ever expected. Jenelle was organized, creative, encouraging, and an absolute pleasure to work with. We highly recommend working with her for any event or fundraising needs!

Owner's reply
Hillary, wow, thank you so much for sharing your experience planning your 100th Anniversary Gala! No one could have guessed it was anyone's first time planning a black-tie event: you blew past the sponsorship goal, sold so many tickets there wasn't room for 1 more person, and had sky-high live auction bidding. A job very well done by you and the entire JLT planning team. It was an honor to be a part of the celebration. JT
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Maritza Rivera profile picture
Maritza R
December 1, 2025
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As the Event Manager for the New Beginnings "Dancing Under the Stars" Gala on November 8th in Clermont, FL, I cannot recommend the "Gala gal" auctioneer enough. She was absolutely amazing to work with and was instrumental in making our event incredibly successful and memorable. From the start, her professionalism and communication were outstanding. I greatly appreciated her open, clear communication and the extensive knowledge and strategic insights she brought to our staff meetings. On the night of the gala, she truly transformed into an energetic, magnetic force. Her ability to connect with the audience and use positive persuasion was phenomenal, successfully encouraging generous giving to our amazing cause. I will exclusively be seeking her assistance for any future galas I manage. If you want a successful, high-energy, and professionally executed auction, look no further!

Owner's reply
Maritza, Wow, thank you so much for sharing your experience working with me. It was such a smooth planning process with so many engaged committee members. Thank you for all you did to handle the event details - there were so many and it all came out perfectly. I look forward to working with you again. JT
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Adum Auction Gala profile picture
Adum A
November 17, 2025
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Don't think twice about it, book the Gala Gal TODAY! We've partnered with Jenelle twice now for our local public school fundraising event, and not only does she get the live auction prices UP during the event (which exceeded our fundraising goal), she provides strategic advice for flow, item management, and many many tips for success! Her experience is invaluable!

Owner's reply
Thank you, Sarah! Truly, the galas ran so smoothly thanks to your fantastic attention to detail and flair for design. And your school's parents get an A+ for bidder participation - I've never seen so many bid paddles go up at one time! Thanks for having me on your team. JT
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Jeremy Elliott profile picture
Jeremy E
November 13, 2025
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+2
We had the absolute pleasure of working with Janelle at our New Beginnings Gala this past weekend, and she completely exceeded every expectation! Going into the event, our team was fairly unfamiliar with the live auction process—but from start to finish, Janelle guided us with such professionalism, energy, and heart that it felt effortless. She added dynamic elements to the evening that not only kept our guests fully engaged but also helped us raise more funds than ever before! Her ability to read the room, inspire generosity, and bring excitement to every moment made a world of difference. If you’re looking for someone who is knowledgeable, entertaining, and incredibly thorough, do yourself and your team a favor—book Janelle. She’s a true professional who turns fundraising into a fun, unforgettable experience.

Owner's reply
Jeremy, that's awesome, thank you! We definitely had a great night of fun and fundraising. As emcee you absolutely killed it - great voice, great presence, great energy (even dancing!) - you are all the things it's so hard to find in an emcee. And of course you're an amazing ambassador for NB. It is my pleasure to support the transformational work you do. JT
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Jamila Smith profile picture
Jamila S
November 12, 2025
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We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Jenelle for her extraordinary role in making our Annual Dancing Under the Stars Gala the most successful event we’ve ever hosted! Jenelle was far more than an auctioneer — she was a true partner in every step of the process. She attended committee meetings, offered expert guidance on how to craft our auction asks, identified key places to solicit donations, and even informed the structure of our event presentation and PowerPoint. Her insight, professionalism, and generosity of time made a tremendous difference. From start to finish, Jenelle was a key component in the event’s success — contributing not only to its profitability, but also to the organization, energy, and seamless flow of the evening. Thanks to her leadership and enthusiasm, our live auction raised vital funds that are now helping even more families and individuals facing housing instability, food insecurity, and financial hardship. We simply can’t recommend her highly enough. Jenelle is phenomenal — a gifted professional with a heart for service — and we are so grateful for the impact she made on our mission and community.

Owner's reply
Jamila, wow, thank you! It's been great to work with you now for two different nonprofits. You're an excellent leader - motivating, gracious, and determined! Last Saturday's event was pure magic, and I think we can raise even more next year after the ideas shared at today's recap. Thank you for bringing me on board, JT
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Caroline McCombs profile picture
Caroline M
September 24, 2025
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I can’t say THANK YOU enough to Jenelle for everything she put into our event! From all the prep-work ahead of time, to her enthusiasm and guidance with our volunteers, to her outstanding efforts on stage, she truly went above and beyond. Jenelle brought incredible energy and helped us raise dollars from a tougher crowd, and we’ve already heard countless compliments from both guests and staff about how great & motivating she was. She made such a positive difference compared to past events, and I highly recommend her to any nonprofit considering! I look forward to partnering with the Gala Gal again next year.

Owner's reply
Caroline, thank you so much for your kind words! It turned out to be a great event, and you were a major part of that. I really enjoyed working with you and your team during the months of planning. Thank you for having me as your auctioneer partner, and I look forward to doing it all again next year.
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Mike Evans profile picture
Mike E
April 1, 2025
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Jenelle is absolutely, amazing when it comes to benefit auctions in fundraising. She is also very knowledgeable and helpful, when it comes coaching and mentoring new benefit auctioneers. Whether you are looking for a benefit auctioneer and fundraiser in the Florida area or help with growing your auction and fundraising business. Janelle is the "go to" person to contact. You will be glad that you did!

Owner's reply
Mike, thank you! It's been great getting to know you and helping you along on your benefit auction business journey. Thank you for what you do to help others.
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Denise Brown profile picture
Denise B
March 5, 2025
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+2
Jenelle took lead straight away. She has come to our Non-profit this year and she brought great ideas on how to raise funds. She got our guests up off their seats and got them in full swing participating We look forward to continuing our relationship with her in the future.

Owner's reply
Denise, Thank you for sharing your experience. Your crowd was fun, and I can see big things in your future events! Thanks for having me, JT
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LaTasha Keener profile picture
Latasha K
January 23, 2025
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We had the pleasure of collaborating with Jenelle for our nonprofit's annual gala (Equality Florida), and we couldn't be more impressed! From start to finish, her professionalism was exceptional. Jenelle brought a wealth of fundraising expertise to the table, offering valuable guidance on how to structure the auction and even helping us identify amazing items and unique ideas to maximize our fundraising efforts. On the night of the event, Jenelle absolutely captivated the crowd with her witty stage presence and engaging style, making the auction not only a success but also an enjoyable experience for all involved. Her energy and charisma had the room buzzing, which was key in driving up bids and creating a fun, competitive atmosphere. What truly set Jenelle apart, however, was her support throughout the entire planning process. She was always available to offer advice, answer questions, and ensure that everything ran smoothly. Thanks to her expertise, our gala was a huge success, and we were able to raise significantly more than expected (our highest grossing live auction EVER). I Highly recommend Jenelle for any nonprofit event—truly a top-notch professional!

Owner's reply
Wow, thank you so much! You are a rock star and played such a pivotal role in the event’s success. I truly enjoyed working with you and can’t thank you enough for your contributions. Meeting you was a highlight of the planning process! JT
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Julie Wright profile picture
Julie W
May 21, 2024
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I love working with Jenelle! She is professional, knowledgeable, and helped us exponentially increase more revenue. I have worked with her numerous times over the years and am always impressed.

Owner's reply
Julie, I love working with you, too! You're always on top of details and so easy to partner with on fundraisers. Thank you for all you did for this last event, and I look forward to doing it again! JT
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Becca C profile picture
Becca C
June 27, 2023
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We have had the absolute pleasure of working with Jenelle Taylor from Gala Gal as the auctioneer for the Safari Under the Stars fundraiser at Brevard Zoo for over five years, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the outcome. Jenelle's professionalism, charisma, and extraordinary talent turned our event into an unforgettable experience for everyone involved. From the moment we began planning our fundraiser, Jenelle proved to be an exceptional partner. She took the time to understand our organization's mission and goals, and she seamlessly incorporated them into the auction program. Jenelle's passion for our cause was evident in her enthusiasm and dedication, and it truly resonated with our guests. During the event, Jenelle's vibrant energy electrified the room. She captivated the audience with her engaging presence, effortlessly guiding us through the auction process. Her command of the crowd and ability to create excitement and anticipation made the bidding process enjoyable and thrilling. Jenelle's gift for storytelling and her infectious sense of humor kept everyone entertained, ensuring a lively and entertaining atmosphere throughout the evening. Jenelle's expertise in the art of auctioneering is truly exceptional, and her ability to assess the room and adapt her approach accordingly is remarkable. Whether it was an intimate conversation or an energetic bidding war, Jenelle effortlessly navigated the dynamics of the event, ensuring that every moment was enjoyable and successful. Her skills were instrumental in maximizing the fundraising potential for our Safari Under the Stars event. The impact of Jenelle's efforts was tangible and far-reaching. Thanks to her incredible talent and tireless dedication, we surpassed our fundraising goals, allowing us to make significant strides in supporting Brevard Zoo's mission. The funds raised will have a lasting and positive impact on the important conservation initiatives we undertake. If you're in need of an auctioneer who can bring excitement, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to your cause, we wholeheartedly recommend Jenelle Taylor from Gala Gal. Her ability to connect with the audience, elevate the event atmosphere, and drive remarkable results is truly unparalleled. Working with her was an absolute pleasure, and we look forward to collaborating with her again. Thank you, Jenelle, for an unforgettable evening that will continue to make a difference for Brevard Zoo.

Owner's reply
Thank you so much for taking the time to sum up our past few years working together. It’s been better each year, and I love working with you and helping the Zoo!
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Angela Erb profile picture
Angela E
May 12, 2023
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I am an event coordinator but had not yet had the opportunity to coordinate a live or silent auction and needed to for my Parish's annual fundraising Gala. I found Jenelle on my search for an auctioneer and am so happy to have found her. She helped me in strategizing, finding items, pre-event fundraising, and then killed it on the night of the event. She had never attending any other parish event but knew our community inside and out. She did her research and immediately felt just like one of us! It was amazing to watch her lead a room. Parishioners are still talking about how wonderful she was at our annual Gala. I cannot recommend her enough!

Owner's reply
Angela, Thank you, your event was so much fun! The audience really played along and we had a lot of laughs. It was a pleasure to help the parish.
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Lynn Ivanek profile picture
Lynn I
May 11, 2023
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Jenelle took our annual event to the next level and really got our audience engaged. It was fun, upbeat and impactful because of her participation. Thank you Jenelle!

Owner's reply
Thank you, Lynn. You had a great crowd that surprised us all with their generosity. It was such a fun luncheon!
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Barbara Siniscalchi profile picture
Barbara S
March 17, 2023
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Jenelle was extremely involved with the preparations regarding the auction items for our event as well as the Giving From the Heart. She spent a considerable amount of time doing background research on our organization, our event and detail research on our auction items. With attention to detail, she used our cocktail hour to inform our guests on the details of auction items. We got very positive reaction on Jenelle’s direct but not intrusive style of auctioneering. Our guests were comfortable and treated with respect while being encouraged to donate. Hope to work with her again! Exceptional talent.

Owner's reply
Barbara, thank you so much. You brought together a wonderful and generous group of supporters. It was a beautiful night!
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Humane Society Of Charlotte profile picture
Humane S
November 21, 2022
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Jenelle was a phenomenal auctioneer for our Ties and Tails Gala. Her dedication before, during and after our event was top notch. She jazzed up lots of excitement for our live auction items and helped us exceed our fundraising goal. We highly recommend Gala Gal, Inc to anyone looking for a passionate, entertaining, and professional auctioneer to help raise money at their next fundraising event. We will be booking her again next year!

Owner's reply
Thank you for sharing our story! It was a pleasure to work together, and those wine offerings were such a big hit that your auction soared. Looking forward to our next gala, JT
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Gena Vacha profile picture
Gena V
June 6, 2022
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We are so thankful for the help and guidance Jenelle from Gala Gal provide to our school throughout our auction! Jenelle was a wealth of information and provide much needed support through the entire process. Jenelle was a key component in executing a wonderful and successful live auction!

Owner's reply
Gena, thank you! It's been great to work with you over the years, and I'm so happy that our strategy with this year's Heart Call was a grand slam. Looking forward to partnering with you again! JT
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Barbara Stark profile picture
Barbara S
June 3, 2022
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+0
A wonderful experience from start to finish! A superior auctioneer and, in addition, she is a terrific resource for ideas and suggestions. Extremely detailed, great follow-up, and provides personalized and tailored services. Our organization has engaged the Gala Gal for our major fundraising events for several years now and we will continue to do so for many years to come. A super talented and experienced professional all the way! A++++++

Owner's reply
Barbara, this is so kind, thank you. It has been a great pleasure to help you and Milagro Center to celebrate successes to date and build for the future. Here's to more years! JT
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Hardy Smith profile picture
Hardy S
March 18, 2022
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Jenelle has an amazing wealth of knowledge on how to create a successful fundraising event. If your nonprofit is considering a charitable auction or wants to increase the results of the auction you have-The Gala Gal is THE go-to expert you should be working with!

Owner's reply
Thank you, Hardy! I had a great time fielding questions on your AFP webinar this week. Happy to help anytime.
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Laura McCann profile picture
Laura M
March 18, 2022
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Animal Rescue Coalition (ARC) has retained Jenelle as the auctioneer for our annual fundraiser for the past four years. Jenelle does not just show up the evening of the event. She works with our organization for months prior, providing expert guidance around the decisions which maximize donor engagement. This year was the most successful fundraiser in the history of our nonprofit. We attribute a large part of this achievement to Jenelle's involvement, her experience as an auctioneer, preparation, familiarity with our donor base and of course, the energy she generates in the room. We highly recommend her.

Owner's reply
Laura, thank you. ARC does such amazing things not just for Sarasota but for multiple surrounding counties as well. Countless animals (and owners!) have better lives because of ARC services. Thanks for all you do! JT
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Brittny Fuchs profile picture
Brittny F
January 3, 2022
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Jenelle provided exceptional support to our organization as we prepared for our live auction. Her on-site involvement the day of our event was wonderful. Her professionalism and expertise is unmatched. She instantly connected with our guests, and as a result we had a very successful event. Thank you!

Owner's reply
Brittny, thank you! It was such a pleasure to work with you, and the event was beautiful! Looking forward to next December :)
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Laurie Hochman profile picture
Laurie H
December 22, 2021
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Jenelle is a 5-star plus! It's all the little details and preparation that make the organization's fundraising event soar. Her commitment to excellence can be observed in the final event experience. The sooner you bring Jenelle in to an event the better, this allows her share & implement experiences and best practices.

Owner's reply
Thank you, Laurie! I appreciate how very easy it is to work with you, and of course the great support from you and your team. Anyone would be lucky to work with you!
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Robin Sathan profile picture
Robin S
December 14, 2020
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Our annual in person fundraising event was canceled in the spring. We thought that was it until next year, until Janelle suggested we hold a virtual event. Being technology novices, we weren't sure. Janelle said she would help us. And, she followed through and guided us all the way from step 1 to our successful result. Janelle is knowledgeable, professional, detail oriented, creative and fun to work with. Our event exceeded expectations! We look forward to working with Janelle in the future. Robin Sathan

Owner's reply
Robin, your attention to detail REALLY helped! Congrats on such a fun event :) JT
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Trisha Brauer profile picture
Trisha B
June 17, 2020
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Gala Gal's knowledge, professionalism, and passion is next level. If you are looking for a partner to grow your in-person event or virtual event, look no further. Her strategies and execution will take your event to the next level.

Owner's reply
Same, Trisha, same! You’re a blessing to everyone in Greater KC!
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Eve O'Donnell profile picture
Eve O
June 11, 2020
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Jenelle was professional and amazing to work with. She provided A++++ service from start to finish and made me feel as if I was the only event she was working on. Her passion really shows and I can't wait to work with her again!

Owner's reply
Ahh, that's awesome, thanks, Eve! You are that rare mix of big picture visionary and attention to detail. Let's do it again in October!
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Mary Dietterle profile picture
Mary D
March 14, 2020
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+0
Jenelle has given our annual fundraising event new life! Our numbers are up since we started working with her, but even more than that, the guests at the event pull me aside to tell me how great she is! Jenelle brings her experience and calming presence to us during the planning process and then she brings the audience to life at the event. We couldn't ask for more!

Owner's reply
Ahh, thanks Mary, that’s so great! We’ve had great results and you have terrific supporters. Plus, you’re awesome :;
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►About that Safari Trip…

April 15, 2015 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS
Photo of GALA GAL Jenelle Taylor

Try to avoid this at your non-profit, says GALA GAL Jenelle Taylor

A client called today for advice. They’ve planned to feature a safari trip as one of the live auction items for their event in a few weeks. When I read the description a few days ago, I realized with some surprise that this was not a typical sightseeing safari trip – this was a hunting safari!

I’ve seen and sold a number of safari trips, but they’ve always been photo safaris, or – said another way – photo shoots, not actual shoots.

My dad was a hunter, though I am not. Even though I would greatly prefer to only shoot things with a camera, I understand that a portion of the population worldwide shoots for sport and challenge. I’m comfortable promoting this item during the live auction alongside the other trips and experiences.

However, some of this organization’s supporters called to complain today, with the expectation that the trip will be pulled from the auction.

What should you do if some people feel an auction item is controversial?

Whether it’s selling a puppy, dinner with the embattled mayor, a hunting safari or countless other potential hot buttons, how should your committee proceed?

  1. Pull the item from the auction? After how many complaints, 1? 5? 25?
  2. Only pull the controversial item if the complaint comes from a major donor?
  3. What about moving the item from the more visible live auction into the silent auction?
  4. Should you try the “Sealed Bid” method for this auction item, so that if no one bids, no one knows, but if folks do bid, their names and amounts are known only to the committee?
  5. Or how about sending an e-mail blast or newsletter notification for interested parties to place bids via fax or email or text prior to the event?
  6. Keep the item in the live auction, but work hard to identify someone on the staff or committee or patrons interested in the item and willing to quickly raise a bid card, ensuring that it sells easily if other bidders don’t materialize?

There’s no one right answer, of course. While you may not want to bend to a few disgruntled voices, you also don’t want those voices to complain even more loudly on Facebook or the nightly news if they feel dismissed.

Ask yourself, what could possibly go wrong if we auction this item?

As your committee tries to “think outside the box” for atypical auction items, if you don’t have these conversations early on, you may find yourself – like my client – scrambling to find a solution 1 day before the catalog goes to print.

Comments are closed - Categories: Consulting, Event Logistics, GALA GAL Case Study, Live Auctions

►GALA GAL, Featured Presenter for Colorado Auctioneers

April 1, 2015 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS
Gala Gal Jenelle Taylor as presenter

Jenelle was invited for the 2nd time in 3 years to present at the Colorado Auctioneers Association

A hearty Thank You to O.J. Pratt and all the Colorado auctioneers for warmly welcoming me to present at their Winter Conference this past January. Well, as warm as Denver can be in January, that is!

Since I’d also been one of their invited presenters in 2013, I’d already shared seminars with their members on Boosting Your Brand and 78 Ways to Better your Benefit Auction Business. This year I created 2 brand new seminars for the nearly 100 auctioneer attendees, coaching them on how to create valuable seminars for the public and how to tackle the avalanche of social media outlets in 2015.

I was also honored to serve as a judge for the annual Bid Calling Championship, which one of my BOOTCAMP course alumni (and Boost Your Benefit Auction book contributor) Doug Carpenter won! In addition, the rookie contest was won by another of my BOOTCAMP alumni, Jennifer Clifford.

Congrats to all, and thank you again for a wonderful, educational, fun-filled (if chilly!) trip.

Comments are closed - Categories: About GALA GAL, Auctioneers

►Silent Auction – Bidder Blockers and Sheet Stealers

March 19, 2015 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS
photo of Gala Gal

Don’t let those “bid blockers” and “sheet stealers” ruin your auction!

If you’ve never seen one at your event, you’re lucky! While it’s great to have fast and furious bidding on your silent auction items, and it’s fun to watch that competition, too many times I’ve heard (or seen) heated bidders try to bend or break the rules of fair play.

I’ve seen Bid Blockers who square their shoulders and won’t let anyone else get to the bid sheet to bid against them, or Sheet Stealers who actually pick up or hide the bid sheet and try to sneak it back on the table right before closing time! I’ve actually seen someone rip up a bid sheet…twice! The same guy!

Anyway, if every year a few of your classroom projects or priceless opportunities create more bad blood than goodwill among your bidders, you’ve got a few options: either move those items to the main Live Auction, where peer pressure and encouragement will spur on the bidding, or post signs and make announcements reminding people that if your auctioneer sees a bidding war heat up, she plans to step over there and see who really wants it the most with an on-the-spot, mini live auction. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s fair.

But make sure to warn people first. And, of course, if you use mobile bidding for your silent auction, you’ll never have this issue again 🙂

What are your auctions most highly contested items year after year? How have you solved it?

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Consulting, Event Logistics, Silent auctions

►Silent Auction, or Mini On-the-Spot Live Auction?

March 10, 2015 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS
photo of easels with poster-sized bid sheets

Draw attention to a row of Can’t Miss items

What to do when you have so many great auction items that you can’t even fit them all in to the time slotted for the Live Auction?

Most live auctions at charity events are 30-45 minutes, and with an industry average of 3-4 minutes per live auction sale, that means only 10-15 items make the Live Auction cut for many events.

What if you have 20 awesome items that you need to get in front of bidders? I suggest blowing up the bid sheets to 20″ x 30″ mounted on foam board, place them on easels in a very high traffic area, add signage, place 1-2 full-time volunteers who never leave and can answer all questions about the items, and then get into the mindset of a county fair carnival barker, “Ladies and Gentlemen, don’t miss this awesome opportunity right here. Step right up to bid on ….” You get the idea.

Sometimes, I place these easel items in a semi-circle directly in front of the ballroom doors, and I let the crowd know that these items -while available for normal bidding during the silent auction – will be closed by on-the-spot, mini live auction between 7:40-7:45, immediately before the doors open for dinner. All interested in bidding need to gather here at 7:40 to get a last chance to be the winning bidder.

By doing this, we get as close as we can to the energy, excitement and ego of a live auction even though there wasn’t time in the program. As guests gather, I gets everyone’s attention in the vicinity and say, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re now going to close these 5 SUPER silent auction items by mini live auction. They are such great items that we didn’t want anyone to miss the opportunity, so whether you’ve already bid or not, everyone is welcome to bid right now as we close these awesome items. First up, you’ve been bidding on Item 901, 1 week RCI Timeshare anywhere in the world, valued up to $1800. The current bid is $1200, but who’ll go $1300, do I hear $1300, yes and now $1400…” Each item will take just seconds to close, and inevitably we’ll raise several hundred more dollars, remind folks that a professional auctioneer will entertain them later, and generate auction closing excitement right before releasing the guests to dinner.
Win. Win. Win!

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Consulting, Event Logistics, Live Auctions, Silent auctions

►SUPER Silent Auction items

February 23, 2015 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS
photo of bid sheet blown up to poster size

Great way to make sure everyone sees your best silent auction items!

How do you make sure that the more significant, valuable or noteworthy items in your silent auction don’t get lost among the smaller items and packages?

Sure, you can make a small section of silent auction with somewhat larger displays, or target spot lighting (or both). For just a few dollars, you can really make a statement and get bidders’ attention.

Sometimes I call these “Almost Live” items, meaning that they were good enough for the live auction, but either we already had the live auction spots all filled, or this event doesn’t have a live auction.

Simply save the ready-to-print bid sheet as a PDF and have FedEx/Kinko’s blow it up to 20″ x 30″ for $4 (black and white). Whether it’s one item or 10, having a super-sized bid sheet will help ensure you get the eyeballs (and bids) you want.

Since color displays of this size would be crazy expensive (like $20-40 each), we just printed the color photos, slid into clear slip sleeves from Office Depot, and attached via O-ring and ribbon. Guests still bid just like a normal bid sheet, though we did have Sharpies on hand to make bids easier to see.

Which items will be SUPER at your next auction?

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►Auction Jewelry Displays

February 13, 2015 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS
photo of a jewelry donation

Think ahead to plan how you will display jewelry donations

Isn’t it a tiny bit sad when you see jewelry at auctions just lying flat on the table? Surely that isn’t the best way to showcase that donor’s contribution, or encourage the most bids?

Some options, from easiest to most elaborate:

1. Drape necklace over a corner of the plexi sign holder or description frame
2. Cut a length of pretty ribbon and attach earrings or bracelets to the ribbon
3. Gift-wrap (in a solid or metallic paper) a small flat box (perhaps 6″ x 8″ x 1″ high) to place the jewelry on
4. Buy stand up jewelry displays from Michael’s or from a Dollar Store
5. Arrange to borrow jewelry displays from the donor (but make sure to label so your donor gets them back)
6. Use lighted clear plexi boxes for luxury jewelry items to mimic the actual jewelry retailer effect.

By the way, an easy way to remember that you’ll need specialty display items before you get to the venue to set up is to add a column or field in your auction item database called “Needed for Display.” Here you can make months weeks or months in advance about how many easels, jewelry displays, gift-wrapped boxes, clip-on lighting, props or other display enhancements you’ll need to bring.

Here’s to better auction displays. Cheers!

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Consulting, Event Logistics, Silent auctions

►Silent Auction – This Section Closes

January 22, 2015 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS
photo "This Silent Auction Sections Closes at 6:50"

Post Silent Auction closing times for each section

Don’t you get this question ALL the time?

“What time does the silent auction close?”

Or worse yet, you have patrons complaining after a section has already closed that they didn’t know.

You can put auction closing times in the program, but we all know hardly anyone reads the program, and especially not while they are shopping, holding a cocktail and an appetizer plate.

So put signs on each table or row, at least 2 per section. If you use 4″ x 6″ signage, put 6 or more on each row of tables. What’s the harm?

If there’s a chance (due to traffic, slow registration, or a quirky chairperson) that your silent auction closing times might change, here’s a secret: print several options for each section and just hide them behind the front one. For instance, you can have signage display “This section closes at 7:30” but also have a 7:40 and a 7:45 printed out and hidden behind, so if you have to change the rules on the fly, you can. Keep in mind, though, you need to do this in conjunction with big, bold, loud announcements to keep the crowd up to date. You don’t want to upset any bidders, so you can say over the microphone, “Folks, due to some heavy traffic we have guests just now arriving, so you’ll notice that this section will NOW close at 7:45. Please see the signs on each table.”

Make it easy for people to spend money – by being clear about the closing times!

(Note that with handheld (text) bidding, you won’t have this issue. Alerts about closing are sent to bidders’ devices, assuming they still have battery life!)

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Consulting, Event Logistics, Silent auctions

►Silent Auction – Item Numbering

January 8, 2015 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS
photo of silent auction display

Make it clear which Bid Sheet matches which plexiglass or framed display

Let’s face it: at most silent auctions, there are a lot of items and bid sheets on the table. When you’re on the auction committee, it’s easy for you to know at a glance that the basket on the left with the blue ribbon is the “Family Fun Night” basket and the one on the right with the red ribbon is the “Italian Fest” basket (duh!). But to your guests, it’s all just a mash up of colors, fluff, and paperwork.

Make it easier for people to spend money by clearly labeling and numbering each package up for bid. I like to place each bid sheet directly in front of its plexi display, and I make sure the auction section and number on each are clearly visible.

Or you can invest in mobile (text) bidding and folks will see the image you’ve uploaded with each auction item 🙂

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Consulting, Event Logistics, Silent auctions

►Silent Auction – Displays for Baskets

December 18, 2014 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS
photo for a coffee basket

Don’t want to take a photo of each basket? Find a funny image

When I attend other auctions, I often see groups that don’t make a stand-up display for baskets or physical items, thinking that the item “sells itself.” I don’t agree.

I like the continuity that every auction lot, whether physical item or certificate-not-on-display, gets a standardized written description, displayed either in a frame, an acrylic slanted sign holder, or a foamboard with attached easel back. This makes the tables organized, balanced, consistent, and polished.

So, what do you put as a visual for a basket that’s right next to it on display? Sure, you could take a picture of the basket, but to me that doesn’t add anything, so I try to find an image (Google Images) that’s cute, funny, or will make the viewer chuckle with recognition. That wine basket gets the “I love wine” graphic, and the coffee basket gets the cutesy, “Life is short. Enjoy your coffee.”

OH, and make sure that a list of what’s in the basket is either in the typed description or attached by a nicely typed card attached to the actual basket.

Will your next auction have better basket descriptions?

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Consulting, Event Logistics, Silent auctions

►Silent Auctions – Levels

December 9, 2014 - Author: Jenelle Taylor, CAI BAS
photo of silent auction display

Make visually interesting silent auction displays with boxes and levels

I’ve talked before about changing the levels on your auction displays. Having a variety of levels above the table’s surface makes a huge difference in visual appeal.

I think the easiest way to add levels to a silent auction is by gift-wrapping empty cardboard boxes. Gather 1 box for every 4-6 silent auction items, anywhere from an 8″ high to 24″ high, and wrap them in whatever colors or prints match your theme. I get inexpensive paper from Dollar Tree or Michael’s. These boxes can be wrapped weeks in advance and transported to the venue easily in garbage bags. Or if you have a ton of volunteers for day-of auction set up, boxes can be wrapped on site. Sometimes volunteers are standing around looking for a job to do.

In the photo, you’ll see a different, more subtle way to create levels. It takes a bit longer to slide a box under the tablecloth and then adjust, adjust, adjust to get it right, but it’s another way to create levels while keeping the tables looking less cluttered.

No matter which way you do it, you MUST add levels to your next auction display!

Comments are closed - Categories: Better Buyers, Event Logistics, Silent auctions