Silent & Live Auction
Become a Donor Today and Support ASEV/ES!
For the second year in a row Wineries Unlimited has been a successful venue/vehicle for raising monies to support the American Society of Enology and Viticulture's Eastern Section (ASEV-ES) scholarship fund. This year we had 34 silent auction items, 11 live auction donations, and seven cash donations! Silent auction items ranged from bird netting, roasting beans and pH meters to gift baskets and bottles, and included a much sought-after yellow Hummer bicycle that was seen zipping around the trade show floor. The silent auction took place Wednesday and Thursday during the trade show, and as the donations came pouring in we quickly outgrew our space by filling up eight display tables with items for auction.
The live auction, which took place at the sold-out Best of the East Gala on Wednesday evening, was just as much of a success and highly entertaining with the overflowing enthusiasm of auctioneers Mark Bassel (Bruni Glass) and Art Carmichael (Wine America). They had the crowd laughing and excited about the items up for bid, which included corks, bottles, barrels, grapevines, and various industry services. The evening started with a bang with a generous cash donation from Arthur Arton of Arton Glass.
All in all the scholarship fundraiser auction at Wineries Unlimited raised almost $18,000 to support the education and development of the wine industry.
Dr. Terry Bates, Cornell University Vineyard Laboratory, ASEV/ES Chair had this to say about the event: "The ASEV-Eastern Section is ecstatic and appreciative over the success of the scholarship auction at Wineries Unlimited again this year. The society aims to support five to six students enrolled in viticulture or enology programs in the Eastern, US and the nearly $18,000 raised at WU will allow this to happen again in 2008. The scholarship auction is a wonderful example of how industry and academia are working together to support and advance the entire eastern grape and wine community. The ASEV-ES board would like to thank everyone involved with WU as well as all the auction donors and winners for their generous support!"
We are already looking ahead to the 2009 fundraiser and actively seeking donations. Help support the wine industry through the advancement of education and professional development by participating in the 2009 auction fundraiser. To donate simply fill out the donation form and fax to the number listed. For more information or to make a cash donation contact Leda Wagner at 800.535.5670 x 106.
Pledge your auction item early to guarantee a listing as a donor in official Wineries Unlimited 2009 show program!
Why you should participate:
• Auction proceeds benefit the American Society for Enology and Viticulture's eastern section through educational and professional development scholarships; ultimately increasing the growth and development of the industry as a whole.
• You will get additional exposure to Wineries Unlimited attendees through on-site printed material and web advertising.
How can you help?
• Donate an auction item
• Ask other people and companies to donate auction items
• Bid on auction items
What can you donate?
We are seeking a variety of donation items. Please note, due to Pennsylvania state law we are not able to accept donations of wine or alcohol. Donation suggestions include:
• Vineyard and winery-related items
• Wine-related gift items
• Exclusive wine tours, visits/stays at wineries or hotels, golf packages
• Gift certificates
The fundraiser consists of both a silent Trade Show auction and a Live auction, so you have two options to choose from when determining what product or service you would like to donate.
Trade Show Auction
The Trade Show Auction is a silent auction that will take place on March 5th and 6th and includes all items up to $399 in retail value. An auction area will be set up on the trade show floor to display all of these donations and facilitate bidding.
Live Auction
Donations with a retail value of $400 and higher create the Live Auction, which will take place at the Best of the East Gala on the evening of March 5th. Donors contributing to the Live Auction can send us their company logo along with a pdf image of the donated item, both of which will be projected onto a screen during the auction, allowing the audience to know that you are a supporter of the industry and ASEV/ES.
Your auction items will generate excitement, increase participation, and ultimately result in a fun, memorable, and successful event that will make a real difference for ASEV/ES and increase visibility for you. Making your donation is easy. Complete and return the donation form on the back side of this sheet by November 21st.
Contact Leda Wagner with questions: lwagner@vwm-online.com; 800.535.5670 x 106.