How many of you know that benefit auctioneers MAY be considered "professional solicitors" in some states and must (in Florida) register with the state and pay for a $50,000 surety bond? I just saw this today. I don't remember hearing about this in my auctioneer course (I may have simply missed it). I asked several Florida auctioneers I know who do benefits and they hadn't heard of it either- which alarms me that so many may be at risk. This is what I found for Florida: "....Under the Florida Solicitation of Contributions Act (Chapter 496, Florida Statutes), a benefit auctioneer working on behalf of a nonprofit generally must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) as a Professional Solicitor. If you are paid to conduct, manage, or carry out a charitable solicitation or auction, you are legally considered a professional solicitor. Did you hear about this in your auctioneer course?

A group of us Auctioneers gathered together for a roundtable podcast. Have a watch and see if you can grab any informational nuggets.

What value added, yet still cost effective, auction platforms do you recommend for small companies who do both benefit AND traditional auctions- particularly real estate properties and their associated estate items? I'm in a smaller rural area with many small non-profits who don't have the staff and technical bandwith to pay, learn, set up, and navigate the technology of an online fundraiser auction platform just for one event. They are asking if we can run everything through a benefit auction account of our own and simply disperse their funds to them afterwards. Please advise. I don't wish to pay for both an AuctionZip, HiBid, etc, etc type platform for my traditional auctions AND a separate benefit auction platform. Thanks!

Just had a great event without an Auction…eek! Raised 140% more than goal! This is why you hire a professional asker not just auctioneer. Also testing out some new gear, the Small Rig mobile monitor to help me frame my shot. So far so good! Maybe we’ll do another raffle for one of these;) https://amzn.to/4srgykH Hope everyone is having a great fundraising season and impacting some amazing organizations…one bid at a time;) Happy Friday!

I asked the department to open up a case this morning as I passed my exam back in January. Two hours later I received a phone call that it was processed and my wall license and pocket card were in my email. Someone dropped the ball somewhere but all's well that ends well! ☺️