The Environmental Research & Education Foundation’s (EREF) Annual Charitable Auction remains one of the highlights of WasteExpo, held May 8 – 11, 2017 in New Orleans. The exciting two-day event, which has raised $17 million since it began in 1994, consists of the Live and Silent Auctions featuring generous donations from waste industry organizations and provides opportunities to increase exposure at WasteExpo. Last year, the Auction raised over $1.6 million to support EREF’s mission to fund and direct scientific research and educational initiatives.
The Silent Auction, which features smaller donations that allow donors to increase their booth traffic, begins Tuesday, May 9 at 10:00 AM CST and ends Wednesday, May 10 at 3:30 PM CST. Due to last year’s success, the Silent Auction will again feature mobile bidding, providing participants the chance to place their bids anywhere, at any time using their mobile devices. Bidders will be able to view the amazing items up for grabs and bid on them as they attend sessions, visit the show floor and even go to dinner. Participants without a mobile data plan can bid by texting the item number and their bid amount to 24700. Bidder registration opens April 19. Register by texting “EREF17” to phone number 24700. Bidding begins at 10:00 AM CST on May 9.
The Live Auction, a fast-paced event where larger items are sold to the highest bidder by a professional auctioneer, will take place Wednesday, May 10 at 3:30 PM CST in the EREF booth #134. The Auction will kick off with an open bar reception at 3:00 PM in the EREF booth. Through the Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers online bidding, the reach of the Live Auction will once again extend beyond WasteExpo, allowing bidders from around the world to view and place bids on items in real time.
This year, the Live Auction will feature exciting giveaways throughout the event – including a grand prize trip! By simply registering to bid in the Live Auction, registrants are automatically entered into a drawing to receive one of five giveaways (must be present to win):
- 3 McNeilus Die-Cast Model Trucks donated by McNeilus
- $400 to the Mack Store donated by Mack Trucks
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro Wi-Fi 128GB donated by Rehrig Pacific Company
- Six Liter Bottle of 2006 Sawyer Cellars Bradford Meritage donated by Keyna Cory
- Yeti Cooler donated by McNeilus
These giveaways will take place throughout the Live Auction. All Silent Auction bidders have the opportunity to win a $500 Marriott gift card donated by Consolidated Fabricators, but must be present at the Live Auction to win. During the Fund-A-Need portion of the Live Auction, registrants who raise their paddles in support of EREF’s Scholarship Program or Data & Policy Program will be entered into a grand prize drawing for an amazing getaway sponsored by SSI Schaefer! For every $100 donated, bidders will receive one entry to win the grand prize. The winner will be randomly selected and will choose from 3 trips:
- The Ultimate Hamilton Indulgence – Two Mezzanine tickets to see “Hamilton” on Broadway plus a delicious three-course dinner with two featured cast members before the show, and an exclusive in-theater meet and greet after the show.
- Just Do It! Attend the ESPY Awards in LA – Two Mezzanine tickets to the 2017 ESPY Awards, plus 3 Night Double Occupancy 4 Star Hotel Accommodations and roundtrip Economy Class Airfare for (2) between two major airports within the 48 contiguous United States.
- 5 Nights at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort + Spa – Discover the ultimate Kaanapali Beach hotel with 5 Night Double Occupancy stay in the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, plus Roundtrip Economy Class Airfare for (2) between two major airports within the 48 contiguous United States.
For more information, visit https://erefdn.org/event/2017-eref-annual-auction.