Reflections on the Exhibit Industry Education Foundation (EIEF) Fundraiser Gala at Red Diamond Congress 2011

Issue: 
Vol 3, No 5
Author: 
Kate Calille

This was my first experience with the TSEA Red Diamond Congress. One of my main responsibilities during the event was organizing the Exhibit Industry Education Foundation (EIEF) Fundraiser Gala.

The Gala buffet dinner overwhelmed many of our membersThe Gala buffet dinner overwhelmed many of our members

Looking back over a month later, here are some of my reflections from the event and things that I will remember for next year:

Role playing can come in handy

The plan was to have a silent auction at our EIEF Fundraiser Gala although at the last minute (the day of the Gala) we had an amazing volunteer step up to turn it into a live auction.  I had always seen live auctions in the movies or on TV but I had never been a part of one myself.  Little did I know how much of a role I would be playing.  As the live auction began with the first auction item, our announcer, in true live auction style with a deep, booming voice, introduced me as “Vanna White.”  Without (much) hesitation I took the introduction and added another level of live interaction to the event.  I began modeling certain items and showcasing features on others as well as walking through the audience of attendees to entice them to outbid others on the donations.  The response from the attendees was fantastic.  The amount of money raised during the auction reflected that and far exceeded our expectations.  I believe it was due in part to our live auction format and, of course, due to some extremely generous attendees.

Another fundraiser at the Gala was the 50/50 raffle.  Each attendee had the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets when they walked into the Gala knowing that if their ticket was drawn at random, they would have the opportunity keep half of the total amount of money we had collected. Again, attendees were extremely generous in their tickets purchases and “the pot” ended up being quite a sum of money. Nikki Lazuka was the first person to purchase her raffle tickets and one of hers ended up being chosen at random.  Instead of taking the money and making a run for it, she graciously donated her winnings back to TSEA which meant all of the 50/50 raffle money ended up being a donation to the EIEF instead of just half. TSEA cannot thank her enough for her generous contribution!

Global Experience Specialists (GES) giving me a case of déjà vu

The TSEA Exhibitor’s Choice Awards were also given out at the EIEF Fundraiser Gala.  The winners of these awards were voted on prior to the event based on nominations.  Thousands of votes were placed to determine the winner and the honorable mention.  Winners received a plaque and honorable mentions received a certificate with their company name and the award category.  Global Experience Specialists (GES) was nominated in several categories.  GES won the Best Marketing/Promotions Company award after being awarded the honorable mention in the first four categories.  Suspense started to build in the room as everyone was curious if GES would take home a plaque or just leave with lots of certificates.  Luckily, saving one of the best for last, GES won the last award given out for the evening.

Here are the other award winners:

 

About the Author

Kate Calille is Membership, Marketing, and Events Coordinator         
Trade Show Exhibitors Association