By Debbie Carson, Online Editor
SEBASTIAN — More than $30,000 worth of advertising and other items will be on the auction block at the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce’s 16th annual Media and Silent Auction.
Business owners will get a chance to help themselves and the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce during the chamber’s event Sept. 24 at Captain Hiram’s.
“It’s not just a fund-raiser for the chamber,” said Beth Mitchell, the organization’s executive director, explaining the event serves three purposes: a fund-raiser for the chamber, a meet-and-greet for media outlets to find new clients, and a way for businesses to save money on advertising.
And, this year being an election year for the Sebastian City Council, candidates might even attend in hopes of snagging advertising opportunities.
“It wouldn’t surprise me,” said Mitchell.
So far, the chamber has secured about $30,000 worth of advertising to auction off. The amount is less than the $50,000 the chamber has auctioned in the past but there’s still time for businesses to offer up free or discounted printing, business cards and advertising.
“Some folks are kind of dragging their feet,” Mitchell said.
The auction will be held Thursday, Sept. 24, in the Tiffany Room at Captain Hiram’s from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The event is free to chamber members and $20 for non-members.
Along with offering up print advertising, business cards and other such items, the chamber will also have gift certificates and gift baskets from local businesses for the auction.
One difference between this year’s auction and those in years past is that the smaller media packages worth $100 to $200 will be silently auctioned, rather than part of the live auction, according to Mitchell.
“Predicting attendance is a tough one,” Mitchell said of how many people are expected to show up at the auction. However, the number of courtesy reservations are in line with what the chamber recorded this time last year.
