Fundraising Auctioneer Scott Robertson Sets a New Fundraising Record for Wine Festival Auction

Naples, FL, April 04, 2013 --(PR.com)-- How do you turn $2.5 million auction into a $7.5 million day? With a double match. That’s exactly what happened recently at the SWFL Wine & Food Fest Auction to benefit children’s charities under the gavel of award-winning auctioneer Scott Robertson, CAI, BAS. Robertson has been the auctioneer for this event since its inception in 2006.

Organizers had topped $2 million in net proceeds the prior year, Robertson’s record. Feeling that they couldn’t strike twice, the organizers set the goal at mid to high 7 figures. Then, two days before the auction, a major donor stepped forward and offered a $2 million match if the auction could raise $2 million again. The auction team went to work doing math and figuring out the lots that could be doubled and sketched out a scenario to help them raise the bar further. An announcement was crafted and read to all attendees at the pre-event the night before urging bidders to double their dollars the next day.

Robertson conducted the auction that steadily rose in excitement. A popular auction lot for a winery trip was doubled with Robertson running back and forth in the crowded room to seal the bids--both sold at $100,000, the momentum grew. The final lots brought the tote board to $1.9 and then increased it to $2.3 million. A dramatic finish to the auction occurred when $200,000 was kicked in by three event angels which brought the total to $2.5 million.

Then the major donor took the microphone and announced his $2.5 million match. This pre-arranged match was also used toward the beneficiary’s standing $20 million match for one $7.5 million day.