What are the four keys to choosing a venue for your next fundraiser? How important is registration and check-out to your attendees? How many bidders does it take to make a live auction successful?

Fundraising event planner Beth Sandefur joins host Greg Quiroga for "Inside the Industry," an in-depth look at the world of fundraising auctions from the perspective of an event professional. Founder of Beth Sandefur Events, Beth is a data-driven event planner who specializes in creating fun, mission-focused events that raise significant funds for non-profits across the US.

Beth works with events of all sizes, and has guidance that will help any organization create a better guest experience.

You can read more about Beth *and* schedule a time to chat with her on her website: https://www.bethsandefur.com/

And see her newest venture, Gala Toolbox: https://www.galatoolbox.com/

Presented by Stellar Fundraising Auctions (http://www.stellarsf.com) and brought to you by Sojourn Ventures: Consignment travel for charity auctions, done right: https://www.sojournventurestravel.com/

Take a peek behind the curtain of the wonderful world of fundraising auctions: https://feeds.captivate.fm/black-tie-and-tales/

What happens when Jay Leno mocks your biggest bidder? What do you do when your emcee calls in arrested and in jail?

In this episode of Black Tie and Tales, fundraising auctioneers Greg Quiroga and Devon Bell are joined by special guest Kelly Russell of Artisan Auctions to discuss what happens when an event hits that turning point, and suddenly everything changes. From an A-list celebrity mocking big bidders to the event chair passing out in the back of the room, these three have seen it all and they are here to tell the tale.

Accompanying blog post here: https://www.stellarsf.com/blog/2025/7/31/and-thats-where-it-all-went

Presented by Stellar Fundraising Auctions (http://www.stellarsf.com) and brought to you by Sojourn Ventures: Consignment travel for charity auctions, done right: https://www.sojournventurestravel.com/

Take a peek behind the curtain of the wonderful world of fundraising auctions with two auctioneers who have seen it all. https://feeds.captivate.fm/black-tie-and-tales/

What happens when you get three fundraising auctioneers with mild ADHD on the mic at the same time?

In this episode of Black Tie and Tales, fundraising auctioneers Greg Quiroga and Devon Bell are joined by special guest Bobby D. Ehlert of Call To Auction Fundraising to discuss all the benefits of Professionals vs. Volunteers. Is your cocktail hour costing you more than just the drinks? How much money are you really paying a volunteer auctioneer? And Bobby D. suggests that the for some crowds, the gala is dead (long live the un-gala!).

Click here to register for Bobby D.'s webinar: https://tinyurl.com/bttguestlink

Accompanying blog post here: https://www.stellarsf.com/blog/2025/7/17/professionals-vs-volunteers

Presented by Stellar Fundraising Auctions (http://www.stellarsf.com) and brought to you by Sojourn Ventures: Consignment travel for charity auctions, done right: https://www.sojournventurestravel.com/

Take a peek behind the curtain of the wonderful world of fundraising auctions with two auctioneers who have seen it all. https://feeds.captivate.fm/black-tie-and-tales/

What's the best way to get a ground floor room at the Ritz Carlton? Why do bidders love building relationships with chefs? What have you done with Greg's notebook?

In this episode of Black Tie and Tales, fundraising auctioneers Greg Quiroga and Devon Bell trip their way into summer, covering a hodge-podge of topics and stories. From whining about the cost of wi-fi at the Ritz Carlton, to attempting to bribe the front desk clerk, these two fundraising auctioneers show that what they lack in shame they make up for in onstage performance.

Presented by Stellar Fundraising Auctions (http://www.stellarsf.com) and brought to you by Sojourn Ventures: Consignment travel for charity auctions, done right: https://www.sojournventurestravel.com/

Take a peek behind the curtain of the wonderful world of fundraising auctions with two auctioneers who have seen it all. https://feeds.captivate.fm/black-tie-and-tales/

When the auction is over and it's time to go home, how much gas is left in your tank? Did you leave your crowd wanting to do more, or were they tapping out 45 minutes ago?

In this episode of Black Tie and Tales, fundraising auctioneers Greg Quiroga and Devon Bell discuss the shared experience of fundraising auctions, and what it means for everyone in the room. Devo takes center stage for a 30-plus lot wine auction, Greg recounts his first 75-lot wine auction, and they sweat the details of summer events.

Read the accompanying blog post to this episode on our blog: https://www.stellarsf.com/2025/6/11/leaving-it-all-on-the-table

Presented by Stellar Fundraising Auctions (http://www.stellarsf.com) and brought to you by Sojourn Ventures: Consignment travel for charity auctions, done right: https://www.sojournventurestravel.com/

Take a peek behind the curtain of the wonderful world of fundraising auctions with two auctioneers who have seen it all. https://feeds.captivate.fm/black-tie-and-tales/

Months of careful planning set the stage for a successful fundraising auction, but as soon as you open up the doors to your crowd, anything can happen...

In this episode of Black Tie and Tales, fundraising auctioneers Greg Quiroga and Devon Bell are joined by special guest Leslie Peterson, Executive Director of the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation, to discuss all of the work that goes into Carefully Planned Spontaneity. Leslie, Devo and Greg discuss the many events they've done together, and those magical moments of spontaneity they worked so hard to achieve.

Read the accompanying blog post to this episode on our blog: https://www.stellarsf.com/2025/4/25/carefully-planned-spontaneity

Presented by Stellar Fundraising Auctions (http://www.stellarsf.com) and brought to you by Sojourn Ventures: Consignment travel for charity auctions, done right: https://www.sojournventurestravel.com/

Take a peek behind the curtain of the wonderful world of fundraising auctions with two auctioneers who have seen it all. https://feeds.captivate.fm/black-tie-and-tales/

How important is a theme for a fundraising event? Can a good theme help you raise more money? Will a bad theme cost you money? And what even is a "bad" theme, anyway?

In this episode of Black Tie and Tales, fundraising auctioneers Greg Quiroga and Devon Bell are joined by special guest, Michael Irvine, VP of Development & Marketing for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, and this episode Theme is the Theme. Michael shares his strategy for creating a theme that incorporates the tastes and likes of the honoree, recognizes donors, and provides opportunities for marketing and decor. Oh, and Greg and Devo share some colorful stories as well

Read the accompanying blog post to this episode on our blog: https://www.stellarsf.com/blog/2025/3/30/theme

Presented by Stellar Fundraising Auctions (http://www.stellarsf.com) and brought to you by Sojourn Ventures: Consignment travel for charity auctions, done right: https://www.sojournventurestravel.com/

Take a peek behind the curtain of the wonderful world of fundraising auctions with two auctioneers who have seen it all. https://feeds.captivate.fm/black-tie-and-tales/

What happens when you decide to gamble with your fund-a-need? When you opt to go fishing for donations above any known commitments? How does your crowd know what to expect in your live auction?

In this episode of Black Tie and Tales, fundraising auctioneers Greg Quiroga and Devon Bell discuss the ways going out on a limb can succeed wonderfully, or fail miserably. From a donor who insists that the opening level of the fund-a-need was off by $90,000 to the crowd that was not prepared to donate at all, join Devo and Greg as they go Out On a Limb.

Read the accompanying blog post to this episode on our blog: https://www.stellarsf.com/blog/2025/3/20/out-on-a-limb

Presented by Stellar Fundraising Auctions (http://www.stellarsf.com) and brought to you by Sojourn Ventures: Consignment travel for charity auctions, done right: https://www.sojournventurestravel.com/

Take a peek behind the curtain of the wonderful world of fundraising auctions with two auctioneers who have seen it all. https://feeds.captivate.fm/black-tie-and-tales/

What are the three things every fundraising auction should do when soliciting a winery for donations? What are the cardinal sins you should always avoid? How far in advance should you solicit a winery for a donation? What is the best way to approach a winery for donations?

Suzanne Tate, proprietor of TATE Wine in Napa, joins host Greg Quiroga for "Inside the Industry", an in-depth look at the world of fundraising auctions. Suzanne and her husband, David, launched their boutique, single-vineyard wines in 2011, and have participated in many fundraising auctions per year since.

Suzanne is also the newest auctioneer to join Stellar Fundraising Auctions, and you can read more about her on our website: https://www.stellarsf.com/suzanne-tate

Presented by Stellar Fundraising Auctions (http://www.stellarsf.com) and brought to you by Sojourn Ventures: Consignment travel for charity auctions, done right: https://www.sojournventurestravel.com/

Take a peek behind the curtain of the wonderful world of fundraising auctions: https://feeds.captivate.fm/black-tie-and-tales/

After the auction is over, one gala mom insists on a little extra service from Greg. Devon crowd-sources the costs of going overtime. And dance floors, dance floors everywhere, but not a crowd to see...

In this episode of Black Tie and Tales, fundraising auctioneers Greg Quiroga and Devon Bell discuss all of the things that can go right (and wrong) on the dance floor at a fundraising auction. From the mom who wouldn't take "no" for an answer to a simple solution to bring your auctioneer closer to all of the crowd, this episode will not leave you in the dark.

Read the accompanying blog post to this episode on our blog: https://www.stellarsf.com/blog/2025/2/27/dancing-in-the-dark

Presented by Stellar Fundraising Auctions (http://www.stellarsf.com) and brought to you by Sojourn Ventures: Consignment travel for charity auctions, done right: https://www.sojournventurestravel.com/

Take a peek behind the curtain of the wonderful world of fundraising auctions with two auctioneers who have seen it all. https://feeds.captivate.fm/black-tie-and-tales/