Greater New Orleans Bonsai Society Annual Auction

[BillsBayou]

The Greater New Orleans Bonsai Society will have its Annual Auction this Saturday, August 13, 2011.

Details:
When: Saturday August 13, 2011
Viewing: From 4-6pm visitors may view the items up for bid
Begins: At 6pm the auction will begin
Where:The SPACIOUS Marine Corps League in neighboring Kenner, Louisiana at 2708 Delaware.

Up for sale and bid: At least 100 items up for auction; Many items will be on quick sale tables; Several lots in our silent auction (typically books, magazines, and pots); a 50/50 raffle!

This is the most entertaining bonsai auction around. More information, including a map, can be found at the club web site: WWW.GNOBS.ORG

If you are going to attend the auction and would like to contribute to the club, we're always welcoming donations. If you are a bonsai vendor, your items are always identified and well represented. Donating vendors are welcome to place flyers or business cards at the auction.




P.S. I, personally, will be donating 46 trees representing 21 species. I will also be donating several 5-gallon bags of my own bonsai soil. Several of the trees are auction quality while the rest are bonsai stock and will appear on the $5-$10-$15 Quick Sale tables.

[BillsBayou]

PACKED HOUSE!

With only 2 months notice, we changed venues to a larger more comfortable venue. I felt like an expectant father hoping we didn't make a mistake. Well the night was a resounding success. We had more trees, pots, books and supplies than ever and we had more people than I've ever seen at one of our auctions.

However, we were cautioned by one veteran that many of the trees were going too cheap and that we should be prepared for a disappointing result. I blame the economy on the low bids but I credit the successful total on the sheer volume of trees.

Has anyone else noticed diminished returns on their fund-raising activities?

[centaura]

Yes, we have a silent auction every year at our show banquet, and the things don't go for what they're worth at all. Part of it is I think a change in demographics in club membership - there has been a shift in the last few years, from well-off folks buying expensive, imported trees to more middle class folks who are creating their own trees on smaller budgets. This is my theory, at least. That's why I think the enthusiasm is there, but I don't think the big personal budgets are there anymore.

-Cat