A Month to Go Planning

For those who have chaired many auctions, these things seem obvious.
Think of them as a "Why-didn't-I-think-of-this-earlier" list.

* Is the Internet connectivity at your event site easily accessible and under your control? If wireless, is the signal strong?

* Do you have someone who is dedicated to being there all night in case there are issues with the hardware or connectivity? Do they have all the passwords for the hardware? the drivers for the printers? Can they test the Internet connection beforehand?

* Imagine where your check-in/checkout table will be set up and think of speaking across a table over top of the voices of dozens of other guests. Is there a place for a line to form? Is there a hostess directing guests to step up to the front, get drinks, or buy raffle tickets?

* Where will you place your “trouble” desk where your most knowledgeable operator will handle complicated situations so that the other volunteers can keep the line flowing?

* How will guests get their bidding numbers? Goodie bags ? Catalogs ? Are you selling anything at check-in?

* In planning your evening flow, is there enough time to record silent auction sales and live auction sales before the rush to relive the babysitter?

* After checkout, where will they pick up their winning objects ?