Conducting a Benefit Auction, trying to raise money for the organization in silence!!

Well not exactly in silence, but have you ever tried to raise the bid from $1,000 to 2,000 when no one in the room can hear you asking for the bid. We do it more often then we would like.

500 guests moving around the room , talking drinking socializing , and we are trying to raise money for the organization.

At every first committee meeting I ask the group about sound, the answers "we just paid $2000 to have our gym sound updated, "the banquet manager said his sound was good enough, the Hotel event manager said they have the best.  Wrong Wrong Wrong !

The school I just interviewed with said they had vertical sound, (ceiling) with extra speakers around the room, their sound was find, they also mention the crowd was out of control WOW! 

We as Benefit Auctioneers have a vested interest in the success of he evening. Frankly if they can't hear us , we can't raise money. Auctioneers talk fast, well truth be known we don't talk fast, we have been taught to slur our words.  "But" clarity is taught first. If we do not have a sound system that is balanced, if speakers are "pushing" against each other, you are not going to understand with any sharpness the dollar amount we are asking for.

Sound engineers will tell you that vertical sound coming down and hitting side speakers , speakers in four corners of the room, both without being balanced or delayed, is a waste of time putting them in operation. They will also tell you that 4 corner speakers (without being balance and timed is a waste)  DJ or band sound is going to blast out the first 5 rows and no one in the back can hear the bid. (Trust me I have visited and been in the back of the room)

Spending money on decorations, catering, valet parking, engraved glasses, center pieces, DJ,  a band, souvenirs all help to have a great party, but each is costing you money, the only person in the room that evening raising money for your group is the Auctioneer, IF THE AUDIENCE CAN NOT HEAR HIM, YOUR EVENING IS A WASH, please listen to the Professional Benefit Auctioneer, who is doing 15 to 20 charity auctions to your one, when he suggests Professional Sound.

Call me, I would love to have a coffee with you and discuss sound, the make it or break it for a Benefit Auctioneer.