GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. – The American Cancer Society has contracted Indianapolis-based BidPal Network to automate auction bidding through a wireless handheld device provided to each guest at the organization’s Cattle Baron’s Ball.
The 2009 American Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Ball, presented by Meijer, will be the first non-profit charity event in the state of Michigan to incorporate BidPal, which has been shown to significantly increase charity auction revenue over prior years’ income.
“We’re always looking for ways to increase our fundraising and engage our guests in exciting new activities,” said Linda Powers, distinguished events specialist for the American Cancer Society. “When we heard about BidPal, we knew this would be just the thing to take the Cattle Baron’s Ball – one of the most unique and premiere West Michigan charity events – to the next level in the gala circuit.”
During registration, guests will receive an iPod Touch© pre-loaded with every auction item – item description, value, bid increments, photo, and donor information. Guests can browse the silent auction area, view items on their personal BidPal, and bid from anywhere at any time during the event. The iPod© allows guests to bid on items from anywhere at the event, receive alerts when they’ve been outbid, place maximum bid amounts and automatically watch favorite items.
Harris Turner, president of BidPal, said though the company has only been in existence for two years, it is revolutionizing auction bidding and significantly increasing revenue at charity events in Indianapolis and Chicago.
“We’ve serviced about 30 charity events in the Indianapolis and Chicago areas, and bidding has increased at these events by a minimum of two times more bids per item then the years before,” Turner said. “Combining our most recent returns with the other events we’ve done this year, the average increase in auction revenue with BidPal is more than 20 percent in a down economy.”
More than 150 donated auction items, ranging in value from $20 to over $1,000, will be up for bid at this year’s Cattle Baron’s Ball, in addition to nearly a dozen live auction packages. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on unique gifts, packages, vacations, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as a week-long stay at a Montana dude ranch; handcrafted Novodai furniture; a personal tour of the Van Andel Research Institute, a Detroit Pistons suite and much more.
“We have so many wonderful items up for bid this year generously donated by local businesses and individuals, and we want to be sure to maximize fundraising dollars out of these items,” Powers said. “Furthermore, we’re extremely grateful to Meijer and Israels Designs For Living for underwriting BidPal for the Cattle Baron’s Ball and bringing this unique technology to West Michigan.”
For more information on the Cattle Baron’s Ball event, ticket availability, or sponsorship information, call 616.364.6121 or visit www.cbbgrandrapids.com.
For more information on BidPal, phone 317.816.8842, ext. 101 or visit www.BidPalNetwork.com.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
