Live Auctions for Trade & Professional Associations

For associations, the live auction works best with experiences that fit a business crowd. Golf trips to top courses, Bourbon Trail weekends, wine-country tours, and tickets to major sporting events are what members bid on. These packages feel like a treat, not just a donation. Many associations also run charity golf outings and clay shoots, so a premium golf or shooting experience sells easily. Because you already ask member companies for sponsorships throughout the year, consignment packages fill out the auction without wearing them out. You only pay for what sells, and you can add items even on the day of the event.

Trade and professional associations operate differently from a typical nonprofit. Your bidders are business owners and professionals who see a charity auction as part networking, part goodwill. A trip for a client or a golf getaway with colleagues is easy to justify. They spend more freely, so experiences like the Masters or a Napa wine tour generate real excitement. Meanwhile, your member companies already sponsor your events all year. Consignment packages let you raise more without tapping them again.

There is no upfront cost. You browse over 140 experiences and reserve what fits your event. You only pay for an experience if it sells, keep 100% over the cost, and can sell experiences multiple times if the bidding gets hot. You are not too late: items can be added the same day as your event. The number of items depends on your crowd size; the team helps you pick right.

You reserve the experiences you want and receive ready-to-use marketing sheets with photos and details. On event night, winners pay, and you collect the proceeds. After the event, you send the winners’ information, and Giveback XP handles all the travel booking. Winners have up to two years to travel, or until the event date for things like the Kentucky Derby or the CMAs. If an item does not sell, you send nothing and owe nothing.

Your auction raised more money without you asking the same sponsors for another dollar. Winners are looking forward to their trips. The consignment model means next year you can do it again with new experiences, and still no risk.

Common Questions from Trade & Professional Associations Events

You have questions? We have the answers.