Qtego

In an Event Management class at IUPUI in April, students learned how technology from Qtego has increased silent auction fundraising at Gala’s and other not-for-profit events.

Joe Pence, Co-founder of Qtego, gave the presentation.  He shared how Qtego’s use of guests’ cellular phones for bidding at events has increased overall bidding and giving activity.

With Qtego Auction Technology’s instant updates, participants receive text or phone updates, making the bidding more fun and more frequent—running up the winning price! The bidder-specific messaging also alerts auction start and close times so that last-minute bids aren’t lost.

What is the PCI security standards council?

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council is an institution set up by American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB, MasterCard Worldwide and Visa International with the aim of enhancing payment account security. It aims to achieve this goal through the mandatory adoption of the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) by all businesses that store, process and/or transmit credit/debit card data.

What is PCI DSS?

PCI DSS stands for Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. This standard (commonly known as ‘PCI’) represents a common set of security due diligence practices that help ensure the safe handling of payment card data. Created by the five major card companies (American Express, JCB, MasterCard and Visa), this standard comprises 12 distinct requirements that are designed to:

• Build and maintain a secure network
• Protect (cardholder) data in transit or at rest
• Maintain a vulnerability management program
• Implement strong access control measures
• Regularly monitor and test your IT infrastructure
• Maintain an information security policy.

What are the benefits of implementing PCI DSS?

PCI DSS is a binding collection of rules that promote IT security processes. PCI DSS aims to reduce financial fraud through heightened network security capabilities of whoever processes payment card information. There are many benefits of PCI DSS compliance. The most fundamental ones for an organization are:

• Protection of customers’ personal data
• Increased customer confidence through a higher level of data security
• Increased protection against financial losses and remediation costs that arise from security breaches
• Maintain customer trust, and safeguard reputation
• Benchmark and assess the security mechanisms of systems that store, process and/or transmit payment cardholder data.

Qtego now offers cell phone signal boosters to overcome the problem of  auction venues where there is a weak or no cell signal. The booster resolves the issues of dropped calls, limited range and slow data rates for cell phones and data cards by amplifying weak cellular signals. The cell signal boosters are able to pick up weak cellular signals from a cell tower and transmit them to your cellular device, and then transmit a more powerful signal back to the tower.

So don’t let a weak cell phone signal prevent you from using mobile text bidding for your next fundraiser. Let Qtego boost your cellular signal so you can boost your Silent Auction revenues!

Once items donated to a silent auction have been organized into categories and sorted, it’s time to start pricing. Pricing is really a matter finding the tipping point between starting high enough to maximize value and starting low enough to interest the most possible bidders. It’s important to remember that most silent auction items will generally come fairly close to their value anyway, because attendees want to support an organization. Lower starting bids will likely generate more overall activity for the auction.

Bidders will bid on more items to begin with if the amounts they are bidding are not individually of enormous consequence (not to mention if they believe they won’t actually end up with the item). An attitude of, “Well, either I’ll get it cheap, or I’ll bid it up for the charity” is not uncommon. However, there is only a limited amount of time for auction bidding and attendees are also chatting, networking and sometimes drinking – there needs to be only a reasonable amount of bids in order to get the item up to (or close to) value.

From 6am-6pm today, Fox59 will dedicate 12 hrs of live & taped broadcasts to raise money for the victims of the state fair tragedy & their families. This “Day of Dedication” ends with a special broadcast tonight at 6. This morning, we’re asking viewers to consider any size donation they can offer for those in need. You can donate to the Indiana State Fair victims by calling the Fox 59 and Qtego provided donation line. 1 (866) 970-1993

Northwest Software Technologies, Inc. adds Qtego’s cellular bidding service to provide its’ user community a broader range of choice in silent auction technology and budget.

For release –     Everett, WA (August 15, 2011) – Northwest Software Technologies, Inc.®, the pioneering and leading developer of event fundraising management software, designed specifically for non-profit organizations, announced today that it has partnered with Qtego of Indianapolis, IN to expand it’s electronic bidding technology service offering.

“Among the many reasons non-profit organizations choose Auction-Tracker is for its’ ability and flexibility to offer choice. To provide options that meet the organization’s need and budget”, said Jack Wilson, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Software Technologies, Inc.. “This morning I am pleased to announce the addition and integration of Qtego’s cellular-based electronic bidding service. By adding Qtego, our user community gains the advantage of a lower-cost, yet highly effective way to implement electronic bidding for their silent auction. I welcome Qtego to our community!”

“Qtego is very excited to be able to partner with Northwest Software Technologies who is one of the most well known event technology companies in the Country” said Bob Treash, Partner, Qtego, Inc. Continue reading

What is a Fund-A-Need program or special appeal? These programs are simply pledge or donation methods that focus on a special cause. The Fund-A-Need program is most effective when delivered in charity auctions that are designed to support the beneficiary nonprofit. The Fund-A-Need program is also known by many other names such as Fund-A-Cause, Fund-A-Cure, Give, Helping Hands and Raise Your Paddles to name a few. Fund-A-Need programs and special appeals are recognized by charities and nonprofits alike as extremely effective tools for generating significant revenue, literally within minutes.

First, chose the method you will use to record the gifts. Using an auction management system like Qtego makes the Fund-A-Need easy by recording each donation, whether the guest sends their donations by text message, phone call or paper.  Qtego will record and add the gift to each guest’s account for quick collection and checkout.

You must also decide on the need that you will fund. It is imperative that you describe the benefit that will be achieved. For example, who will receive the benefits, or what opportunities will it provide? Determine the amount of money needed to completely achieve the goal. Create funding levels that most people who attend your event can participate in. For example: $100 will feed a child for a month, $500 will provide new clothes, etc.

Contact key donors before the event to determine their level of commitment and find those willing to contribute matching funds. Make sure to acknowledge their donations at the auction to inspire other donors or to generate the initial bidding. Continue reading

Imagine what it would be like to walk into a familiar gala, head for the silent-auction displays and then find no bid sheets. No pens. No competing bids.

A recent article appeared in Naples.com written by Suzy Dorr  Click here for full story

Sample Fundraising Letter: Request Items for Silent Auction
Is your charity planning to hold a silent auction in the near future? Before you can hold a successful auction fundraising event, you’ll need to secure donations from businesses and individuals throughout your community. Having an outstanding item donation request fundraising letter can go a long way toward helping you collect an excellent selection of merchandise that will result in a fun evening for your supporters and a significant fundraising success for your
charity!

Dear [Recipient's Name]:

[Name of organization] will be holding a silent auction fundraising event on [date]. [Name of organization] provides [services offered] to individuals whose lives are impacted by [issue] in our area. All of the funds raised from this event will be used to support [name of organization]’s work in our local community.

We’re in the process of collecting merchandise for the event, and I’m writing to request your assistance in making the [name of the organization] event a success. By donating an item, you’ll be making a tax deductible contribution that will help [name of organization] continue to help make life better for individuals in need, right here in our community.

Additionally, you’ll benefit from exposure of your company’s name to those who attend the event. Donors will be listed on the event program, and the merchandise you give will be on display through the event. As a donor, you’ll be invited to attend the event, so you’ll be able to meet prospective customers and even possibly find a few bargains of your own.

Won’t you consider donating an item to support the continued work of [name of organization]? You may reach me at [phone number], or I’ll call you by [date] to find out how you would like to participate in the [name of organization] silent auction.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Silent Auction Coordinator

Source: Red Hot Fundraising Ideas

Some nonprofit organizations use online auctions as a way to gain online presence and earn money for their cause. But one concern arises:  “Will having an online auction get you the most revenue for your items?”

Most online bidding is a passive email exchange that generally only works from the bidder’s home computer or Smart Cell phones that have email access.

Unfortunately, emails don’t command the instant attention that text messages or phone calls do.

Qtego’s technology uses instant text messages or phone calls for bidding. Bidders simply send the item and bid amount and receive instant notification when they are the high bidder and when they have been outbid.

Cell phone technology is the most efficient way to actively engage bidders in the bidding process. Receiving updates through text messages or phone calls allows the bidder to stay updated on the items they’re interested in, while also engaging them in the competitive nature of silent auctions.

When organizations hire live auctioneers to engage with the audience, they seek to actively motivate bidders to place their bids. Qtego’s bidding technology actively engages bidders in silent auctions in the same manner with instant responses to their bids.

Here’s an example of how it works:

1. Bidder views the list of silent auction items on the organization’s website.

2. Bidder sends text message of the item number and bid amount to Qtego.

3. Qtego immediately responds to bidder to confirm s/he is the high bidder.

4. If the bidder gets outbid, s/he receives a text message that s/he has been outbid, including the bid s/he must make to again be the highest bidder.

5. Bidder rebids with the amount to be the highest bidder again.

6. Bidder wins the item and receives a text message regarding purchase and retrieval of the item.

So by texting and calling using Qtego’s technology, you can have those NBA tickets the same day, before tip-off.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Indianapolis Indians choose Qtego as official text and auction provider

Fans of the Indianapolis Indians can experience new ways to connect at Victory Field with in-field and out-of-park promotions by using their cell phones. Specifically, fans will be able to text for more information, join prize giveaways and participate in auctions all powered by Qtego Marketing Solutions, Inc.
The new connectivity is the result of a partnership with the Indianapolis Indians. Qtego, an Indianapolis-based company powers some of the largest galas and silent auctions using its patent- pending technology, allowing the user to place bids, be notified when outbid and check the status of their item, all while using mobile text messages.
“Qtego has made quite an impression within the silent auction community for being the best at providing cutting-edge technology and knowledgeable service in an easy to use platform,” said Joel Zawacki, director of corporate partnerships for the Indianapolis Indians. “We feel assured knowing that Qtego serves as our official text and auction provider.”
Last month, Qtego aided in the pink jersey silent auction that raised more than $3,000 for the Community Health Network Foundation, Breast Cancer Fund. Click here for video
“With over 200 bids placed using our cell phone bidding technology, all 30 jerseys were won,” said Brad Benge, co-founder of Qtego. “We hope to bring extra entertainment value to each game, while also raising money for local charities.”
Qtego will use their auction technology in the upcoming camouflage jersey silent auction during the June 25 home game at Victory Field starting at 7:05 p.m. Visitors will be able to view and bid on the jerseys, as the Indians sport the auction items on-field. Proceeds will benefit the National Guard Relief Fund.
Additionally, Qtego will assist the Indians with the Lend a Helping Glove program. Five, large, decorated baseball gloves are on display throughout the Indianapolis community, allowing supporters to use Qtego’s technology to vote on their favorite design. The non-profit receiving the most votes will receive a donation on behalf of the Indianapolis Indians.
For more information about Qtego and its services, visit QtegoAuction.com or view posts on the Qtego Twitter Page at Twitter.com/Qtego.

Running a silent auction fundraiser requires some amount of organization. Making a checklist of potential auction ideas will help you keep them organized.

Pre-Event checklist

• Organize donations into categories and packages
• Confirm event location has cell and text service
• Create signage and item displays
• Decide how to promote sponsors
• Determine pricing for items
• Determine auction start and end times
• Access your customized Qtego Auction website and review training
• Enter your auction items into your Qtego Auction website
• Print item descriptions and auction catalog (optional)
• Organize volunteers and their assignments
• Prepare your lock box and money for change at check out
• Determine if you want to promote independent donations using Qtego Giving
• “Qtego recommends having a computer, printer and internet access at the event so you can access your auction information on Qtego’s website and print winner’s receipts.”
• Determine if you will be using Computer/TV monitors to display bidding activity

Day of the Event checklist

• Set up items for display
• Provide a Item number and description sheet for each item
• Make auction catalog or Item summary sheets accessible
• Set up auction administration area (computer and printer with Internet access)
• Set up check out area
• Provide item and banking area security
• Direct volunteers to their assignments

Post-Event checklist

• Process payments and bank deposit
• Clean up event area
• Arrange delivery or pickup for larger items, and manage non-purchased items.
• Send thank you notes to donors and volunteers
• Send thank you text or call to all bidders for participating using Qtego
• Review Qtego Auction reports on item and bidder activity for your next auction
• Organize participant database for future communications

Corbin Ball and associate is the Web’s most comprehensive site about meeting planning, tradeshow and events technology.

In Corbin’s May/June 2011 TechTalk Newsletter they rank Qtego’s auction services in their 21 LINKS FOR MEETINGS, BUSINESS AND FUN

Dean McCurry, a live auctioneer from Dallas, Texas, has expanded his auction services by offering Qtego Wireless Auction Technology.

Dean has become an authorized representative of Qtego so he can offer new ways for his clients to increase their revenue for silent auctions. Some of those unique features he points out are:

·  No “must be present” to bid restrictions

·  Customers are able to approach their entire database, not just the attendees.

·  Customers can bid from any cell phone, anytime from anywhere

·  Increases the number of bids and revenue

·  A complete registration and checkout system

·  Auction can start days before the actual event

·  People actually have fun with the bidding process, not just a constant walk to the clipboard to see the high bid

·  Instantly notifies them if they are the high bid or they were outbid

·  We provide all user data to the organization

Dean’s ability to understand and relate to his audience enables him to create the type of exciting and entertaining atmosphere that is critical to the success of any fund-raising benefit auction.  His professionalism, poise, energy and wit are contributing factors to the record-setting donations experienced by the organizations he has been involved with, and are the reasons that many of these organizations consider Dean’s participation a key element in the success of their future fund-raising benefit events.

Time after time, event planners discuss their experience using electronic, wireless bidding companies for silent auctions and ditching clipboards and bid sheets.

But how do you choose the right wireless bidding company for your event?

First, consider if the event will be held on numerous floors or areas of a venue. Venues such as museums, golf courses or zoos will limit your choices in technology. Most wireless bidding systems operate on their own private networks that have a very limited signal range to support hand-held bidding devices, especially if there are a number of signals at one venue interfering with wireless bidding devices. A company who uses Wi-Fi or 3G/4G Internet technology will maintain better coverage than companies who use private networks. For maximum coverage, wireless bidding companies that allow bidders to use their cell phones to place bids are most successful and run into fewer issues throughout an auction with multiple locations.

Attendance at the auction is another important element in choosing a wireless bidding company. A hand-held bidding device will need to be guaranteed to each guest at the event. Depending on auction size, it can be hard to accommodate large crowds and will result in a big investment in hand-held bidding devices.

“Qtego offers a system that allows guests to place bids directly from their personal cell phones,” said Dean McCurry a live auctioneer of McCurry Auction Services of Dallas Texas. “Not only does this save overall costs for the organization, but it allows the bidder to be ‘in-the-know’ about the items they’ve bid on and when they have been outbid.”

When choosing a wireless bidding company, keep in mind that day-of logistics and setup time need to be considered when planning an event. Companies that string wires, install antennas and set-up computer servers will need much more space and vendor coordination than a company that has readily available Wi-Fi or 3G/4G networks.

“Using Qtego resulted in less installation time and gave us more time to mingle with attendees of our auction,” said Jayson Parker President of Tatum’s Bags of Fun. “Otego’s logistics contributed to the overall success of the event. We were very pleased with how easy it was to use their system. Experiencing and using the capabilities of their technology gave us peace of mind.”

Advanced and ever-changing technology can pose disadvantages. Wireless bidding companies that use their own hand-held devices and wireless networks have a greater risk of outages. Using national telecommunications and Internet infrastructure will create the least amount of headaches because off-site data servers are engineered and maintained by reputable communication services.

A successful wireless bidding company should have more than one method of bidding. Choosing a company that offers alternative methods will ensure that attendees are able to easily place bids and organize bid information.

If the company or organization hosting the event prefers to engage guests before the event by opening bids early, keep in mind some companies do not offer this service due to limited range of operation capabilities. Also, if the company or organization would like to integrate sending messages or special announcements to the bidder, it needs to know some companies do not offer service. Sending messages to conclude the event and thank bidders is a bonus.

Finally, consider the different options a wireless bidding company has for staffing. Some companies offer self-staffing to the company or organization, which reduces personal costs. In general, the more people, technology and equipment needed for the auction, the more expensive the wireless bidding company’s service will be.

When it comes down to it, there are two words that describe how to successfully display your auction items: presentation and promotion.

What some don’t realize is that for one night, you must appear as a high-end sales consultant, making sure that all items, jewelry, sports memorabilia and vacation packages are displayed for the bidder to be given the best visual possible. For example, when displaying jewelry, think of how  an exclusive jewelry store would display their merchandise. Jewelry is laid on a black velvet cloth so its shine and glitter is most visible.This same concept should carry over in any silent auction. When it comes to displaying vacation packages, you can’t physically bring Florida to your location, but you can certainly display your vacation package as if you did. Set up a laptop computer or screen, displaying a photo slide show of the hotel, amenities and destination.

Packages with multiple items that suggest fun occasions get more bids than individual items by themselves. For example, a basket filled with wine, cheese, a checkered tablecloth and unique drinking glasses lets the bidder imagine a fun picnic occasion, but a bottle of wine by itself doesn’t.

Another important detail that is sometimes overlooked is promotion of your auction items. The more you promote, the more your organization can profit. Items shouldn’t just lay on a table like a garage sale – sell and promote these items in the location where the auction is held – display signage at the bar, in the lobby, in the restrooms and on dinner tables.

Displaying your auction items correctly can also aid in in the success of your event. Sports memorabilia and items should be in one area, while jewelry and clothing are located in another. Also, don’t forget that high-bid items should be displayed in the highest traffic area, normally at the entrance or by the bar (if one is available).

Unique experiences are the most aggressively bid, for example, dinner with Peyton Manning or throwing the first pitch at an Indianapolis Indians home game. These experiences can’t be bought from a store or on Ebay, so think of scenarios with high profile people that would appeal to the crowd at the event Also, all-inclusive vacation packages for families during spring break and Christmas attract a lot of attention too.

The Indiana Ice recently played a game at Conseco Fieldhouse. A junior athletic hockey program Qtego partnered with wanted to set up a silent auction for their group. They knew that before our auction technology, there was no easy, effective, or practical way to administer a silent auction at this type of event. How can people watch the game, spend time with family, and still support the organization? Easy fix with our auction software. Continue reading

If your organization hosts a Qtego event and some of your attendees are unable to attend, they are still able to bid on items in the silent auction using Qtego’s text message bidding system. Qtego now hosts all silent auctions through a digital text message bidding system that allows for quick, two-way communication with you and your bid item. Through this system, you are able to place your highest bid when registered through the system, while also receiving notification if you’ve been outbid or win the item as highest bidder.

Non-attendees of the silent auction can also view the organization’s bid items online for quick access and bidding capabilities.

At a recent event, attendees were concerned about double-booking their evening with several events but still wanted to cast their bids for items in the silent auction to benefit the organization – they could certainly do so by using their cellular devices to make sure that they didn’t go home empty-handed, and supported the organization by bidding on items.

And for those who aren’t exactly tech-savvy, bids can also be made by phone calling.

So if it’s your location you’re worried about, don’t worry – let Qtego make noise in your next silent auction.

“Picture a silent auction with no bid sheets. Instead, guests bid using an electronic device.”

A recent article titled “MAKING YOUR SILENT AUCTION SLICK” was printed in the Missouri Meetings & Events spring edition written by Sherry Truhlar. Sherry covers in her article the 7 reasons to use wireless devices in your auction and the top auction management companies.