In a live auction, energy rises and revenue soars, when every bid is counted. Staar Entertainment will help train your volunteers or provide professional bid spotters to make sure every bid is accounted for.
Raised paddle, nod, subtle hand-lift - our spotters catch them all! Our auctioneers are often waling about the room while performing the auction, seeing only the bids right around them. The bid spotters situated around the room identify the bids that the auctioneer does not immediately see.
Clear, pre-set gestures relay each offer without missing a beat. In the beginning bids start off quick as the bid cost rises, bids come in slower, this is when it is important not to miss any. The back end of each auction item is when the auctioneer will be looking/listening out for the spotters to signify, especially.
The bid spotters will keep track of the most recent bid in their area. With each increment increase they will note if the previous bidder is still staying in the game and if others have joined or outbid them.
If a bidder hesitates or they have a question, and the auctioneer does not resolve it on their own, a bid spotter is welcome to step in to help answer a question so the momentum never stalls.
What sets our spotters apart is their unmatched combination of training, focus, and professionalism. Each team member undergoes specialized auction-specific training that includes mastering hand signals, maintaining crowd awareness, and keeping donors engaged throughout the bidding process. They're skilled multitaskers—capable of scanning the room for raised paddles, tracking active bids, and communicating seamlessly with the auctioneer to keep the energy flowing and the momentum strong.
Beyond technical skill, our spotters bring a polished presence to every event, arriving in professional attire with an upbeat, donor-friendly attitude and a deep understanding of fundraising etiquette. Their ability to enhance the guest experience while maximizing fundraising potential makes them vital assets.
Hosting a school or community fundraiser with volunteers? We’ve got you covered. Our team can train your volunteers to be confident, capable bid spotters. From hand signals to crowd awareness and communication with the auctioneer, we’ll equip your team with the tools and know-how to support a fast-paced, fun, and effective auction. It’s one more way we help you build a strong, memorable event from the inside out.
We will gather shortly before the event to perform one final review of your item list. We will also want to get your outlook on expected bidding behavior, you having superior knowledge of your guests. Lastly, we will do a quick run through of the layout, making sure everything is set up, all supplies are ready, and everything is up to your standards.
Whether you will be using your own volunteers or some of our experienced bid spotters, we will do a final strategy plan. Each spotter should know where they will be positioned, when and how to use the light up batons, hand signals, and/or whistles. No corner should be over looked or un-manned.
Visible & Auditory Signals, increments and appeals will be rehearsed with the auctioneer personally to ensure a flawless flowing system during the live auction.
If you are not using your own digital software or designated bid recorders we will provide a post-event wrap-up where we will hand in the physical bid sheets and/or digital records for easy reconciliation for your organization.
