Some people bid on rides with a gift in mind...

Some people bid on rides with a gift in mind

"This is the best birthday present ever. Even though I had to get up early, this was a great memory that me and my mom will remember forever. All of the kids in my 4th grade class will be so jealous to hear what I did for my birthday!"

Some bidders simply want to do something different...

Some bidders simply want to do something different

"It was strikingly quite and peaceful. If you are flying low enough, you can actually converse with the amazed people on the ground..."

Some people bid to make a dream come true...

Some people bid to make a dream come true

"When we lifted off, it was breathtakingly beautiful! Our pilot, Mike, and his whole crew made it even more enjoyable. They were great. It was a dream come true for Pat, and an experience both of us will never forget."

Some bidders are looking for a very special memory...

Some bidders are looking for a very special memory

"I gave the ticket to my fiance, Kim, for an engagement present (as if the ring wasn't enough!). We took our balloon ride on our pre-one year anniversary, exactly one year before our wedding date."

How to use the Silent Auction Kit: It's Simple, Profitable and Fun

It’s a great way for you to raise funds at your next Silent Auction. The Silent Auction Kit contains everything you need. There is no risk to you, no up-front cost and we’ll give you a free Hot Air Balloon Ride Ticket just for setting up our posters at your auction.

All the money you collect for the free Ticket, usually $150, is yours no matter what! And all the profit on any other rides you sell, usually $300 to $500, or more, is yours. Best of all, it puts a lot of fun and excitement into your Silent Auction.

Some organizations use Balloon Rides as the theme of an auction. They use balloons as the centerpiece of the tables, and use “Up, Up and Away!” as the slogan.  It is as simple as 1-2-3! Read on...

ONE: Set up the Kit at your Silent Auction.

Enclosed are the posters for Balloon Rides for 4 people, 2 people and 1 person. Set all three of the posters up, put out the Nationwide List of Balloonport Locations and your own bidding sheets. The balloon ride for 1 will be given to your organization for free. All we ask that you do is to display the materials so that people can bid on all three rides. Bidding starts at the low prices we offer exclusively to non-profit organizations. So everything above that is profit for you. The ride for 2 has a retail price of $400, but we will give it to you for $240. That is what you will start your bidding at so everything above that is profit for you. The ride for 4 has a retail price of $800, but we will give it to you for $480. Almost everyone wants to go on a balloon ride.At these prices almost everyone can. When the bidding starts the fun begins, creating lots of excitement at your event!

TWO: Once the bidding reaches the “Everyone Can Buy Price,” offer tickets to everyone at the event.

Most of the bidders on your lists will buy a ride. For example, say that 3 families are bidding up the ride for 2 people. When the bidding gets to $300, you can offer that ride to all three families and anyone else for $300 each, increasing your income many fold.

It helps to have an enthusiastic person make announcements once rides are available to everyone. If you have someone in your group that has actually taken a balloon ride, let them say a word or two to the group about the fun they had. If you run a live auction concurrent with the silent auction it will create lots of interest.

There is no limit to the number of rides you may sell. Our balloons hold 4 to 6 passengers. People holding tickets can schedule to go together if they wish. Tickets are good for 12 months at 200 locations nationwide. Sometimes a dozen or so individuals will each buy a Balloon Ride for 1 and plan to schedule their rides together in groups or families.

THREE: After your event, you order your Free Ticket and the tickets you may have sold and send them to the winners and the high bidders.

If you did not sell any other tickets at your Silent Auction just don’t order any. We will send you your Free Ticket anyway, just for trying. After your event, you can order your ticket(s) online, by phone or use our mail-in order form.

Seize the Silent Auction Photo Opportunity for Great Public Relations!

If you wish, during your event have the winners of the tickets hold up the Ride Description Signs and take a photo! Then, submit the photo along with a press release about your event to your local newspaper(s). Because of the interest of the public in Hot Air Balloon Rides editors almost always publish these press releases! Getting press for your event will help promote it in advance for next year.

Ok, Let’s Get Your Silent Auction Started! It’s Simple, and We’re Here to Help!

Even if your event is tonight, you have all you need to set up the posters and offer the Balloon Rides. But, most people have a question or two and we have a team of 6 friendly people here to answer your questions: Roberta, Gail, Deli, MaryJo, Sophia and Diane. Just call 1-800-762-7464, Monday to Friday between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM Eastern Time. If you need additional copies of this Kit sent to other members of your Committee or Group we will mail or email copies to them.

Bliss for the Detail-Oriented Fundraiser Also...check out our new blog, Bliss for the Detail-Oriented Fundraiser! Your blogger, Jenna, will bring you BIG ideas for every little detail of your event. Need inspiration? Check out the current post. Want a tip on a topic? Browse the categories. Click here to visit the blog. It will open in a new browser window so that you don't lose your place on FundraisingRides.org.