Fundraiser Charity Events – Benefit Auctions, Traditional Auctioneers or Specialty Auctioneers?

Zanza Blue Benefit Auctions

Fundraising Auctions, Charity Auctions or Benefit Auctions all focus on the same theme, organizations have often hosted these silent auctions but few have chosen a live auction. Have you considered why live auctions aren’t more popular?  Because most auctioneers are not entertainers.

Transforming a live auction into an entertaining event is a unique ability, you should use a auction company which has extensive experience in the planning and execution of revenue based functions while providing unique and entertaining live auctions that complement a fundrasing affair. This will generate substantial increases to your proceeds.

Traditional Auctions 
The old world auction style offers fast talking or chanting that many people unfamiliar with live auctions find difficult to comprehend. Chanting is useful in facilitating sales in a rapid manner such as auctioning cattle, farm equipment and automobiles. This traditional technique can impair auctions that require a diverse approach. Certain events including benefit auctions require a more entertainment based approach. A Auction house such as Zanza Blue can bring a respectable level of entertainment to the art of a live auction. This is achieved though the experience of performing many auctions. 

Benefits Auctions
Zanza Blue Benefit auctions provides auctions in a unique fashion. They often manage the entire fundrasing event including; event preparation, event environment and fundamental event structure while balancing tempo, personality, and maximizing the enjoyment of your guests resulting in an absolute increase in the event proceeds. Always use a Auctioneer that understands the core responsibilities of charity events, someone who will take into account your organization’s foundation and goals along with the preferences of invited donors and guests. Always look to a profesional team that will work in partnership with your organization to achive the maximum amount of donations through a live auction venue.

For more information visit www.zanzablue.com

 

Visit www.zanzablue.com for detailed information regarding detailed benefit auction services available to you.

Free Website and Blog rolled out by Benefit Auction Company

Zanza Blue Benefit Auctions

 

PRESS RELEASE

Zanza Blue Benefit Auctions launched yet another great service to clients, a free online auction website and blog. Zanza Blue’s Technology team now provides a basic website for every live auction event they host. Event specific domain, hosting and personalized design are all provided at no additional cost to the organization. Zanza Blue offers several services which includes; Client Communication Services (Cutting Edge Conferencing), Items For Auction,  Event Collateral, Auctioneer Selection, Event Marketing Assistance, Professional Audio Equipment, Event Budgeting Consulting, Event Software, Event Theme Selection, Licenses and Permits, Proceeds Collection, Event Location Consulting, Staff & Volunteers Guidance, Event Layout Consulting and Item Categorization.

 
Zanza Blue is the only auction house that offers all of these services as part of the “Zanza Blue Signature Services” with no additional cost to their clients. In addition Zanza Blue offers several payment options for auctioneer services, the most popular option does not cost their clients anything which is nearly unheard of in the auction industry. Normally auction houses require an up-front fee.

 
Zanza Blue has recently courted Chicago area schools, from grade schools to high schools a professional and innovative auction house is now available to nearly any school. Many Benefit Auction providers will not provide these services to local schools however  Zanza Blue understands how important school funding is to the children and the local community.

 
You can view their services at www.zanzablue.com

Private and Public School Fundraising – New Idea’s

Zanza Blue Benefit Auctions

 

Many private and public schools have turned to fundraiser / fundraising auctions to raise money for their sports teams, libraries, grounds and any other worth while cause that will benefit the facility and students. We have seen too many times where a volunteer parent, or board member has cost the school tens of thousands of dollars by thinking they can run the auction themselves.  Let a professional benefit auctioneer make your event a success.

Fundraising events challenge individuals to donate both their time and money to a cause. A live auction brings imagination and excitement to an event which commonly attracts guests who otherwise would not participate in a charity function. Raising a bid card into the air is an energizing feeling and your guests become enwrapped in the excitement which always results in more donations.

A live auction will entertain your guests making your event and it’s cause more memorable. Benefit Auctions bring awareness of the organization and increase donations through excitement and camaraderie. Annual events especially benefit from live auctions as guests are more likely to return in the following years and encourage friends and business acquaintances to attend.

 PLANNING A LIVE AUCTION
The most important part of a live auction is the auctioneer, before choosing an auctioneer make sure they have experience performing benefit auctions (using a general auctioneer that uses chanting / fast talking is not conducive to fundraising events). In fact the best option is to find an auctioneer or auction house that specializes in fundraising auctions.

You want an entertainer who is also an auctioneer, when participants enjoy the event they will give more.  Many benefit auction services only accommodate school that anticipate high revenue and in turn will still charge hefty fees up-front for their services.

An ideal situation is to find an auction house that will provide services through a buyer’s premium as compensation for their services. Normally sales tax does not apply to a charitable event which can range from 6% to 9%. In place of this amount is a buyers premium (normally 10%) that goes to the auction firm, this is a good option for several reasons, the participants are used to sales tax or some kind of surcharge on goods, the school / organization benefits since the auction house costs nothing, the auctioneer will work harder to increase profits.

Keep away from auction houses that want a fee up-front, once you have paid for their services you cannot guarantee they will perform at a high level. Another key is to find a full service auction firm. Many auctioneers will only provide services for the actual auction portion leaving the school / organization to handle the rest of the event. See what the auction house provides, the more services included the better.

If your school has never hosted a live auction then you need an auctioneer that is also an event coordinator. Never use a volunteer for a live auction, this will cost an event unbelievable losses. Ideally look for an auction firm that can assist you with planning every aspect of the event. Some auction houses do provide these services without any additional charges.

If you are hosting a fundraising event that includes a live auction in the greater Chicago area or greater Miami area check out Zanza Blue Benefit Auctions. Look over their services at www.zanzablue.com (Zanza Blue does provide services nationwide, however depending on your location traveling expenses should be considered).

If your school / organization is hosting a live auction and would like to know what services should be offered to you then use the Zanza Blue website as a guide. Print out the services offered and present them to the auctioneer / auction house in your area. If you find that you cannot locate a auction house you can email Zanza Blue for advice regarding a reparable auctioneer in your area. Email info@zanza.com   

 

 

 

 

Chicago Charity Auction raise four million for charity with cows

 

Bidders heard the cattle call and opened their wallets to snap up life-sized bovine creations from Chicago’s “Cows on Parade” exhibit. Organizers sold almost half the fiberglass herd on Tuesday in two auctions, raising close to $4 million for charity.

Sotheby’s put 75 cows on the block at an auction at the Chicago Theater. They sold for $2.7 million. Proceeds from each sale are to go to the charity of the buyer’s choice. HANDsome, a cow covered in child handprints, fetched the biggest price: $110,000, to be donated to Children’s Memorial Hospital.

The cows — which city officials say have attracted more media attention for Chicago than the 1996 Democratic National Convention — are a city-sponsored outdoor art exhibit. The idea for the exhibit originated in Zurich.

Uncle Sam, the patriotic steer, came in second — the winning bid amount of $92,000 is to be contributed to Dairy Relief Inc. Third place was a three-way tie for third place: Grazing With the Cows, Urban Re-cow-struction and Adaptive Reuse each sold for $75,000.

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey bought “Cowbeille De Fruits,” a cow painted with fruit. Winfrey sent Jeff Jacobs to put in a bid on her behalf. He says Winfrey plans to keep it on her farm in Indiana. The $36,000 she paid is to be donated to a group that helps abused women.

Internet auction results
Bidders bought 65 other cows for almost $1.4 million in an online auction conducted at Metromix.com. Mirroriam, a cow covered in shards of mirror, got the highest online bid at $65,500. That money is to benefit the Off-the-Street Club.

Festival Cow, sporting a mural of fireworks over Lake Michigan with the city skyline in the background, generated a $34,550 donation to the Chicago Tourism Fund. Brian the Cow: Milk & Cookies drew $32,200 for the Grant-A-Wish Foundation. The remaining 140 cows not auctioned are being kept by their corporate sponsors.

The sculptures, dismantled on Tuesday, were given a final parade down neighborhood streets in pickup trucks. The sculptures had been posed on city sidewalks for months, luring an estimated 2 million visitors downtown since June, according to the city. Michael Lash, director of public art for Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs, says he estimates visitors spent an average $112 each, hence the value of the exhibit to Chicago.

The success of the cow exhibition is giving other cities ideas. Officials in more than 30 municipalities, New York and Seattle among them, say they’re planning similar exhibits.

Fundraising Auctions – Live Auctions vs Silent Auctions

Zanza Blue Benefit Auctions

 

Many organizations plan their own events, in a hotel, convention center, gallery or  a private event. All they need is an auctioneer or auctioneers for hire. Zanza Blue is not the typical auction company. We don’t talk quickly or “chant” as they call it in the auction industry. Instead we provide entertaining, charismatic, and professional presentation experts to conduct your live auction.

 
The definition of auction in its Latin roots is “to increase”. We believe that a live auction is going to work best and get the most possible revenue for your event if everyone can understand the auctioneer clearly, and of course enjoy the event. Our auctioneers are trained in sales and presentations while being officially licensed as auctioneers.

 

 

 

Visit www.zanzablue.com for detailed information regarding detailed benefit auction services available to you.

Zanza Blue Mascot – Big Brown Dog Makes It Big

Zanza Blue Mascot JACO

 

Jaco the Zanza Blue Mascot is a Chocolate Labrador Retriever. Born in 2002 in Ft. Lauderdale Florida and named after the legendary bass player Jaco Pastorius, he was raised by Kyle Ploeger and Lou Johns, both exceptionally talented entertainers. Jaco’s father was a professional bass player, Musical Director and finally supervised over one hundred musicians as a Musician Coordinator, his mother a professional dancer in the performing arts, Dance Captain of Revue Shows and Coordinator of Dancers.

 

Jaco’s upbringing was unique exposing him at a young age to some of the most talented and successful entertainers performing internationally. Jaco came to Chicago, Illinois in 2004 after the passing of his father.

 
He has been a co-creator of Zanza Blue and is heavily involved in our success. Jaco brings his experience in a support level, he is always a part of the team during brainstorming sessions and general daily operations. A very loyal member of the staff, all he requests is acknowledgment in his support role and peanut butter. Although he weighs 125 Pounds, we still support Jaco on his stance that peanut butter is the Atkins diet for dogs and has nothing to do with his proportioning. He has mentioned on many occasions he is just big boned.

 

 

 

Visit www.zanzablue.com for detailed information regarding detailed benefit auction services available to you.

Auction House Based in Chicago Goes National – Benefit Auctions

Zanza Blue Benefit Auctions

 

Zanza Blue’s  Benefit Auction Services are in high demand and the team has gone national.  Originally based in the greater Chicago Area Zanza Blue now provides  benefit auctioneers, charity auctioneers or fine art auctioneers anywhere in the United States. 

Zanza Blue Benefit Auctions newest satellite office is located in the greater Florida area with Leif Rydfors heading up Miami area benefit auction services.  Mr. Leif Rydfors brings a sophisticated and cosmopolitan facet to Zanza Blue.

The child of a diplomat, Leif spent his childhood living in many countries including: Kenya, Portugal, and Brazil. His experiences have given him a truly global and unique perspective on life. Mr. Rydfors was educated at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and graduated with a B.S. in Social Psychology and Italian Literature. He is fluent in several languages including English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, Swedish and German. After completing his studies at Georgetown University, Mr. Rydfors decided to utilize his love and knowledge of languages and cultures and his unique global perspective in a guest relations capacity.

 He has worked with companies such as the Hotel Amaranten in Stockholm, Sweden, Masound Productions in Washington, D.C., and Arcalia in Lisbon, Portugal. Mr. Rydfors excels in coordinating unique and V.I.P events and his titles have included International V.I.P, Chief of Promotions and Public Relations, Public Relations Administrator and Assistant to the Entertainment Director.

Always in search of new and challenging opportunities in 1998 Leif accepted a unique position with Norwegian Cruise Lines, that enabled him to create and lead a new department for International Public Relations, resulting in the inauguration of the Norwegian Cruise Lines International Host Program. In 2001 Mr. Rydfors was presented with an opportunity to learn about and enter into a new and demanding field. He studied and trained to become an Auctioneer of Fine Art. Leif took full advantage of his knowledge, skills and past experiences and excelled in his new position.

His success did not go unnoticed and in 2005 he became the Sales Director for one of the elite art retailers offering fine art internationally. This new role required Leif to balance, time sensitive stock, international logistics and complex personal requirements for thousands of events worldwide. Leif not only prospered in this demanding position but elevated the entire program. This led to Leif eventually fulfilling the position of Sales Director for West End Publishing in Miami, Florida. Leif joins the Zanza Blue team as a long time business associate of Mr. Kaufmann. His knowledge, global perspective and extensive event planning experience is a welcome addition to the Zanza Blue team.

 

 

 

Visit www.zanzablue.com for detailed information regarding detailed benefit auction services available to you.

School Benefit Auction – Huge Gavel Makes Appearance

Zanza Blue Benefit Auctions

By far one of the largest gavels in the Midwest is just one of many props used by Zanza Blue Benefit Auctions. From Hula Hoops to a 3 foot gavel, the fundraising auctions hosted by Zanza Blue bring a new face to charity. From a black tie affair to themed community auctions this team brings original and at time wacky events to the public. The end result is always the same, more profit for the school / organization. If you hear of a Rubber chicken throwing auction being hosted you can be sure Zanza Blue is the company being used.

The Zanza Blue team’s background is nearly as unique as their events. Nearly every member previously worked on cruise ships in entertainer rolls. This brings a fresh and new style not usually considered. Zanza Blue’s concept is simple, make the event entertaining and the theme creative enough were everyone lines up at the door to get in on the buzz. Another unique thing to note is how the Zanza Blue handles the events from start to end without costing the organization anything.

Visit www.zanzablue.com for detailed information regarding detailed benefit auction services available to you.

Choosing a Benefit Auctioneer / Charity Auctioneer becomes an easy choice

Zanza Blue Benefit Auctions

Many of the auctioneers that are now part of Zanza Blue Benefit Auction Services previously auctioned fine art auctions, fine estate items, and the list goes on. The principal auctioneers Leif and Shawn decided to venture into benefit auctions; after all of the thousands of auctions they preformed the random benefit auction was the most enjoyable. The clear choice was to give these services to the fundraising community.  The services of Zanza Blue Benefit Auctions have been in high demand ever since.

 

 

 

Visit www.zanzablue.com for detailed information regarding detailed benefit auction services available to you.