Benefit auctioneer Sherry Truhlar escaped a corporate cubicle to launch Red Apple Auctions.
Today she works as a fundraising educator and onstage auctioneer, helping nonprofits across the country plan more profitable benefit auctions through her business, Red Apple Auctions.
A prolific writer for her own blog and other fundraising sites, Sherry's advice has been tapped by thousands of auction planners seeking to improve their events. She offers master classes, books, workbooks, webinars, and checklists for auction planners ready to advance their auction via highly researched strategies.
Red Apple Auctions has been covered by Northern Virginia Magazine, Missouri Meetings & Events, Town & Country Magazine, The Washington Post Magazine, Beacon-News / Chicago Tribune, AUCTIONEER, and others, such as this Boston blogger.
A charismatic presence in the room, Sherry elevates the experience of any live auction. At over 6′ tall, she commands the stage and comfortably connects with male and female guests.
Sherry is thought to be the only auctioneer who has achieved a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation and is also a graduate of the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI). These credentials identify individuals who have achieved their respective industry’s highest standards of professionalism.
She also holds a professional certificate in event management from George Washington University, the Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (BAS) designation from the National Auctioneers Association, an MA degree from the University of Wollongong (Australia), and BA and BS degrees from Emporia State University.
(As an Amazon Associate, Nonprofit.Courses earns from qualifying purchases.)
Check out these Tracks!
See Recorded Content, On-Demand, Below

A/V tips for Hybrid Galas, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

A 1930’s-themed nonprofit auction highlighting the guest experience, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Should you use name badges, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Benefit auction centerpiece idea: LEDs add glam, low cost, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Welcome to the channel — and here’s what’s happening as of Feb 2021., by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

BAS: The letters after an auctioneers name, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Auction Item Idea: Heavy Equipment Training School, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Fundraising Auction Ideas …. using Vegetables, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

How to get publicity for your benefit auction: Use auction games and raffles, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Charity auction gift bag idea: How a shoe purchase inspired a new delivery method, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Use Signage to Tell Silent Auction Winners They Won, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

New Silent Auction Ideas For Displaying Jewelry, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Ready To Add An Online Auction To Your Gala?, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Do your guests care whether you’ve hired a professional charity auctioneer, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Five Places to Cut Costs in Your Charity Auction Fundraiser, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Three re-writes of benefit auction donation letters, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Handling COVID safety precautions at your fundraising auction, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Could You Host Your Benefit Auction in a Shopping Mall?, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

How a small nonprofit converted to a virtual gala in 8 days, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Lower opening bids generate higher sale prices, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Data from a philanthropy report could suggest that your benefit auction guest list be weighted with women., by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Measuring the success of a virtual gala fundraiser, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Virtual Gala Attendance expectations, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Latency is so last year. Now, we’re on to audio., by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

How many items should you sell in your benefit auction?, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Gala centerpieces don’t have to be flowers, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

How to thank your benefit auction donors, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Celebrity Charity Enlisting Stars to Your Cause, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

School Auction Ideas: Spirit Rock, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Charity auction consignment: Can you use more than one consignor at your fundraising gala?, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Is this a live auction or silent auction item?, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Carnival auction themes from school fundraiser – Country Fair, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Are you procuring “experiences” for your fundraising auction? Not sure how I feel about that., by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Healthcare gala “Diamonds & Denim”, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Example of an excellent event sponsorship with Porsche, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Simple silent auction idea Use Signage To Tell Winners They Won, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

A great item for your charity auction fundraiser is in the kitchen!, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Getting people to attend your charity auction: Untapped auction supporters, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

How a binder can make auction donors feel special, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Silent Auction Ideas: Creating Vertical Displays Without Using Acrylic Stands, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

The flow of a wine auction example: Vintage Amarillo, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Virtual gala idea: An outsourced foodie experience, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

How to sell more raffle tickets using a simple trick that leaves guests smiling., by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Auction checkout tip: Use stickers on the silent auction bid sheets, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Focusing on the Fund a Need at a nonprofit auction gala, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Virtual gala software – 2 approaches for studio-based styled events, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Six alternatives to the sit-down dinner auction gala, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Outlandish marketing for your benefit auction, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Silent auction entertainment? Maybe. For the 20-something crowd, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Four tips to make your benefit auction a success!, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Association gala auctions – what to sell / procurement ideas, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

How to dress-up your benefit auction with this easy napkin trick., by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Giving from the warm hands of love vs the cold hands of death, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

A smart way to cut costs in your fundraising auction catalog, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Benefit auction item idea: Restaurant Dining at the Chef’s Table, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Hybrid virtual galas: Do they fill the void between virtual galas and in-person galas?, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Charity auction catalog need some bling? Try a ring., by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Benefit auction ideas: Asking the artist to donate (Steve Haskamp shares his perspective on …, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

School auction planning starts this month. Get fired up!, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Your first decision after deciding to hold a virtual gala, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Do you deliver? Offering delivery of charity auction items attracts bidders, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Encouraging Youth to Attend Your Benefit Auction Gala, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

How to procure walk-on movie and television roles for your benefit auction, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Who else loves getting jam-packed gift bags?, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Benefit Auction Tip: Use your location to make a celebrity connection, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

12 Ways to Use Social Media to Market your Charity Auction Fundraiser, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

BENEFIT AUCTION IDEAS, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Unintended consequences of watch parties during Zoom-style virtual galas, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Brand your fundraiser with a consistent gala auction theme, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

What Would You Tell Your Younger (Pre-Benefit Auction) Self?, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Auction acquisition tip to use over the holidays, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Benefit auction item ideas: Stock the Bar or Stock the Cella, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

A smart way to cut costs in your fundraising auction catalog, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Charity Auction Ideas: Research-related excursions, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Tribute to a benefit auction honoree: Olympic-sized entertainment, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Branding your auction gala through a consistent name, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

“Pivoting” is out. “Planning” your virtual gala is in., by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

School auction theme: Le Cirque, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Venetian masks used as decor for a fundraising auction theme, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Breaking the rules: This Martha’s Vineyard auction succeeds by doing things differently., by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

My gripe with some mobile bidding and online nonprofit auction platforms, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

How to Secure Behind the Scenes TV Activities for your benefit auction, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Accelerate your benefit auction check-out line, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Are You Ready To Add An Online Auction To Your Gala, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Avoiding Three Licensing Mistakes at your Fundraising Auction, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Silence Doesn’t Sell. Charity Auctions Need Sound Systems, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

LEGOs not good in silent auction, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Silent Auction Fundraiser Idea: Photo Garage Doors, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Unusual Fundraising Auction Venue: Airplane Hangars, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Nonprofit auction dilemma: Should you print item values in your catalog?, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Virtual gala: Your plan for next 6 months, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Wine is the new (coronavirus-safe) auction consignment package, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Fundraiser Auction Entertainment at a School Action: Mechanical Bull, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Why are you having a benefit auction? (Is it REALLY about the money?), by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Using “Alice in Wonderland” for a school auction theme, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

A Dirty Little Secret About Growing Your Benefit Auction Gala, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

School auction theme – “GHS in Havana” (Cuba theme), by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

One disadvantage of large crowds at your nonprofit auction, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Tips to reduce no-shows at your benefit auction fundraiser, by Red Apple Auctions
Read More

Mobile bidding used at a school auction “Silver Celebration” (25th anniversary), by Red Apple Auctions
Read More