Client brief

 

The Prince's Trust approached IML to develop interactive software that would enable them to hold a discreet and efficient silent auction during their annual charity dinner.

 

"It was absolutely crucial that the auction took place discreetly. We couldn’t use the traditional paper-based approach, as it requires guests to leave their seats. We needed a solution that would enable our guests to place instant bids on items whilst they sat at their tables."

Cathy Brannon, Donor Development Manager, The Prince’s Trust.

 

Event

 

420 dinner guests used IML’s Communicator keypads to scroll through 12 lots and select the item they wanted to bid on. The Communicator displayed the current highest bid for each lot, alongside a brief description of the item to ensure that guests were bidding on the lot they wanted.

 

When guests entered their bids into the Communicator, they received a message confirming that they held the highest bid. Other guests were then automatically updated with the new leading bid.

 

“The immediacy of IML’s technology created a competitive atmosphere as guests were able to respond quickly to the bidding process.  Keeping them constantly updated on the current highest bid generated even more bidding, as they could see when someone else outbid them."

Cathy Brannon, Donor Development Manager, The Prince’s Trust.

 

Guests were able to monitor their lots and re-bid on items without having to leave their seats. This convenience, combined with the immediacy of the technology, encouraged competitive bidding, thereby increasing the value of the lots and the revenue raised for the charity.

 

A grand total of all the money raised from the evening was continuously updated as bidding increased, enabling guests to see how close The Prince’s Trust was to reaching their target amount.

 

Identification

 

Bidding guests were identified using IML’s Smartcard technology.

 

Prior to the auction, guests were issued with personal Smartcards that stored their identity. The Communicator was activated by inserting the Smartcard, which linked guests to their bids.

 

Benefits

 

IML’s Silent Auction software instantly collates information, eliminating the need for administrative staff on site.

 

A detailed audit trail is also available, enabling any part of the auction process to undergo detailed scrutiny.

 

Client testimonial

 

"IML’s technology and service came highly recommended from other companies, who, like us, were impressed with IML’s ability to develop solutions that more than fulfil the brief.

 

IML’s software enabled us to hold a silent auction that could not otherwise have gone ahead. The keypads proved a relaxed and sociable approach to silent auctions and created a fun atmosphere amongst guests who quickly got into the spirit of things. Without doubt, IML was a contributing factor to the great success of the evening."

Cathy Brannon, Donor Development Manager, The Prince’s Trust.