In this 501(c) Drop, BetterUnite CEO Leya Simmons sat down with Kandice Luisi, Founder and CEO of Knockout Fundraising, to break down what actually makes fundraising events succeed—and where most organizations unintentionally leave money on the table.
With years of hands-on experience producing high-performing galas, auctions, golf tournaments, and community events, Kandice shared practical insights nonprofits can apply immediately.
A strong run of show keeps energy high and confusion low. Kandice emphasized the importance of clear timing, defined roles, and one master timeline that everyone follows. Events don’t derail because of big mistakes. They slip because of small delays that compound.
If you are within five to eight minutes of schedule, you are winning. Beyond that, momentum starts to leak.
Clear transitions, early announcements, and a designated “time keeper” can make the difference between a polished event and a stressful one.
Staff members often get stuck running logistics instead of building relationships. Kandice encouraged nonprofits to use volunteers or third-party support for registration and operations, freeing leadership to focus on donors, sponsors, and storytelling.
When staff are visible, relaxed, and connecting, guests feel it, and giving follows.
Technology should shave seconds off every interaction, not add friction. Kandice highlighted how fast check-in, simple clerking tools, outbid notifications, and magic links transform the guest experience.
Features like mobile bidding, max bids, and real-time alerts keep donors engaged throughout the event instead of forgetting they ever placed a bid.
Bidding behavior tells a story. Guests who bid frequently, even if they do not win, are signaling future giving potential. Event data is not just reporting. It is a roadmap.
Certified professional auctioneers are trained to read the room, manage transitions, and ask for money in ways that feel energizing—not awkward.
They advocate for the mission on behalf of the organization, keeping momentum high and donors confident. It is not just about calling numbers. It is about psychology, pacing, and purpose.
Some of the best ideas come from outside your own organization. Kandice encouraged nonprofits to attend each other’s events, share lessons learned, and build community knowledge.
Fundraising improves faster when nonprofits learn together.
Recording Transcript:
Leya Simmons (00:00)
Hello everyone. Welcome to our 501 C drop today. I am Leah Simmons. am CEO and co-founder of Better Unite. Welcome. I actually was pausing because I was about to immediately welcome my good friend, the powerhouse herself, Candice Luisi. ⁓ She's actually the founder of Knockout Fundraising. And today we are diving into supercharging your fundraising events. So how to's.
Whether you're planning a gala or a golf tournament or a fun run, anything, a community mixer, Candice has literally years of hands-on experience helping nonprofits make their events more successful, more impactful, and frankly raise more money. Welcome, Candice.
Kandice Luisi (00:45)
Thank you so much. an introduction.
Leya Simmons (00:47)
I love it. ⁓ Candice actually was a presenter at our Better Conference back in September on our our Tech Masterclass Day and it was absolutely, I said this I think in a social post, one of the most ⁓ well attended frankly as well as ⁓ insightful as well as popular presentations that we got to see at the conference and Candice when I first suggested this to her was like no I don't want to do that. The being the behind the scenes woman she is.
But she braved it, got up there, and you really just like, knocked it out. It was great. You knocked it out of the park.
Kandice Luisi (01:20)
Thank you so much.
I learned so much from that conference. It was great. And everyone was so engaging. So I used to do conferences. I mean, I would go to all of them and that was probably the most just natural feeling. And, you know, I just felt like I got to really get to know people. It felt very comfortable. Didn't feel like a conference, you know, which is why I guess you call it a better conference.
Leya Simmons (01:40)
That's what we try to do. Yeah, thank you. I'm super glad that you ⁓ had that experience too. All right, I'm gonna stop sharing our presentation now and ⁓ let's jump into the questions that I have for you today. First of all, folks, I do wanna make a note that you can put anything you'd like to ask Candace into the chat. So we've got a live chat going and we will get to the questions that we can. We don't typically have a ton of time for that, but we will absolutely do our best because...
Kandice Luisi (01:47)
Okay.
Leya Simmons (02:08)
This is actually what I noticed at the conference too, Candice. Remember, you could barely get through one single slide without having deluge of questions that were coming at you that you were gracious enough to answer. So we're going to go through and talk about a lot of the different components of the event. But let me start with run of show. I know this is something that you feel very passionately about and knock out fundraising. You all excel at creating and building out for the events that you're a part of.
Kandice Luisi (02:14)
No.
Thank
Leya Simmons (02:35)
What are the key elements of a successful run of show? And part two to this question, when should the nonprofits start planning it? Like thinking it, working through it, start putting some pen to paper.
Kandice Luisi (02:50)
Yeah, that's a good question. And of course, run of show is a major factor in making sure the event is successful. And of course, this probably seems obvious, but just sticking to the run of show and having a plan ⁓ and making sure you're on time and those things is is harder than it seems. And so just having a few ⁓ tools to make sure you're doing that. always kind of have someone that's kind of that just OCD and they're going to be checking like, hey, are we on schedule? You know, what could be?
you know, a factor that's contributing to us getting a behind or a head and just having someone kind of stay in that window. My sweet spot is five to eight minutes is you're doing great. I mean, you're if you're within five to eight minutes.
Leya Simmons (03:23)
Right.
So if you're within
that five to eight minutes of what you had planned timing wise, okay.
Kandice Luisi (03:34)
of what you had planned, then
you're doing pretty good. If you get more 10 to 15, you're still doing okay. And if you get into the 20s or 30s, okay, we probably are gonna start missing some key components if we don't catch up, but having someone kind of on it. And usually there's a sweet spot, right, that you should be planning out this run of show. You kind of have a framework when you first start planning your event, ⁓ but you're really not gonna know until a lot closer to the event. So truthfully, this might be...
⁓ a different opinion, but I think like two months out is when you're really starting to get a good idea of where everything's going to be. One month out, you should have a pretty solid structure for your run of show. And then the week of your finalizing. You don't want to wait too long. You don't want it to be like the last day you're making any major changes or anything. But that week is kind of your last chance to make any major changes.
Leya Simmons (04:28)
Okay, so do you have like a combined when you I'm going off script here, Candace, sorry, this is not a question that I sent to you. But I'm curious because it was something that I did when I did fundraising events for nonprofits. So I would usually do like a combined script plus run of show, and then a run of show that was separate. Do you advise that or like I'm wondering if that's actually a bad idea.
Kandice Luisi (04:32)
No, please. That's great.
Personally, just because of the way my brain works, you don't want to have too much information in one place. So you're going to have your script timeline and that should always match up with your other timeline. But our timeline specifically, we make them for our volunteers and for the organizers. So it has everybody's name and role and they're all color coded. Everyone can just look for their color. I mean, we get really, really serious about it. got your time, your what is on the agenda, you know, and your specifics.
Leya Simmons (04:57)
No. ⁓
Kandice Luisi (05:18)
we make it all fit onto one page. And that's all it should ever, ever fit on it for me anyways, just for my visual preference, because I need to not flip at all. I've had where I'm like, yeah, just go ahead and send me your run of show. ⁓ And it's that giant, you know, 50 page script. I can't see in just one view, just like a, where should I be? You have to flip through and you know, that could be a little difficult. So I would have multiple copies, right? So you might have your script.
Leya Simmons (05:21)
⁓ okay.
No.
Right.
Kandice Luisi (05:46)
⁓ Which is separate and then your your one sheet timeline if you can fit it on one, maybe two sheets Yeah
Leya Simmons (05:52)
One sheet. Okay. So that
takes me to the next question. Clearly I was doing something wrong when I was planning these events, but where would you say that most events go wrong when it comes to the timing and then also the transitions? Because as always to me, I see that be an awkward dance sometimes at the events that we go to. What's your advice there?
Kandice Luisi (05:56)
Thank
Yeah, just think about it as any event you've been to and you mentioned transition. So you're moving from one stage to the next, just thinking of it being natural prepping for it. So a lot of auctioneers use what's called the voice of God and that kind of gears you through. And that's just an expression we use in the industry. And that's just having someone over the mic, you can't see them, you just hear them. ⁓ And they're announcing like, what's next? Make your way, always kind of don't think of seven o'clock.
Okay, that's when I still tell people to get to the, you know, the ballroom. Think 645. I start mentioning it. People take a while, right? They're mingling. You know, the more fun they're having, the less they're probably paying attention to your timeline, to be honest.
Leya Simmons (06:53)
the more fun they're having, the more engaged they probably are in your events. We need both, right? Yeah.
Kandice Luisi (06:56)
absolutely. Absolutely. I know you need
both. it's taking the factors of there's a lot going on and communicating super well. I would say too is, you you've got this plan and it's on paper and everyone's following this. making sure that you tell someone, especially a speaker, this is probably where I see timelines go astray the most is when you have speakers and you say, okay, great. You're at, you know, 8.15.
Leya Simmons (07:04)
Mm-hmm.
Kandice Luisi (07:26)
You need to say you're at 8 15 and your time is up at 8 20 You have five, you you have five ten minutes, whatever it is that if that speaker is, know, it's it's one of the bigger speakers Okay, you know you can give them a little more time but making sure they know you have a 15 minute window Pre look at their script beforehand if they're the kind that is gonna you know Just free ball it and they don't have a script that's fine, too but have someone in the back that gives a five minute warning or someone you know in the front is close up because
Leya Simmons (07:53)
I was wondering that, yeah.
Kandice Luisi (07:55)
You know, people don't, you're not a natural public speaker. You're not exactly, you know, time is either going so slow or flying by. ⁓ you know, yeah, exactly. Yeah. So giving them kind of a heads up, cause I can't tell you how many times, all right, we've got three speakers and I'm always like three. Okay. Three's a lot, but okay. We've got three speakers. They each have 10 minute window. That's 30 minutes. That's a, that's a pretty big window, but you know,
Leya Simmons (08:05)
They're either terrified nervous or like having the time of their life on stage and you don't know which one is gonna be
I'm gonna
Kandice Luisi (08:25)
making sure they stay on 10 and how many of them go over 15, 20 minutes each. And there goes a whole hour of your event. So you just have to really make sure you're prepping them gently. You know, this is your window. is what, Hey, look for this sign. They're going to let you know when you're getting close so that they can fit in those last key points and continue on with the timeline.
Leya Simmons (08:43)
So you're really speaking to already my next question, which is that balance, like you said, it's a fine dance, like balancing the structure that you have laid out and the flexibility that's just necessary. Do you have any advice on how to achieve that?
Kandice Luisi (08:46)
Yes.
⁓ there's so many factors that go into it, right? So you start the event with registration. So as long as you're, you know, using a platform like better unite that works super well to get people in really quickly. but you've got to plan to keep that within its window of 30, 45 minutes, max an hour to get everyone checked in. Okay. And I know that everyone arrives at different times, but that's a pretty standard time to make sure that you have everyone checked in. they can go into that natural progression of run a show. The other big thing.
that can inhibit the run of show would be like catering. So making sure you have that very clear communication with catering, hey, this is the time that we want plates down, you know, those certain things. Because when food and everything, like catering wise and things get kind of backed up, ⁓ everything else naturally gets backed up. I would just say like, you know, creating that balance is having those conversations, communicating, having that timeline sheet, you know, everyone has a copy of it. ⁓ Everyone's, know, copying the same timeline.
Leya Simmons (09:49)
Hmm.
Kandice Luisi (09:57)
But balancing, I guess in your sense, do you mean like how much of each thing is at the event?
Leya Simmons (10:04)
I
was thinking more just your tips, which you've already given us, around where can you be flexible and how, mean, just really how you accomplish it. And what I'm hearing you say is really it's communications. It's having the conversations well in advance so that no one's surprised, they have when they're getting the five, four, three, or whatever it is. Yeah.
Kandice Luisi (10:16)
Yes. Yes.
Yes. And having those
buffers, if you're going to put them anywhere, a buffer would be like, it's okay if this went over 15 minutes because this next step is here. Having those buffers be around registration and the food coming out, right? Since those are the two kind of biggest contributors that can affect your timing, ⁓ just having those buffers exists there. if...
Leya Simmons (10:25)
Build and buffers, okay.
⁓ that's huge. Yeah.
Interesting.
Kandice Luisi (10:45)
you're only giving registration, you know, 45 minutes to the dot. And then the first thing starts, you know, anything can happen, right? You just want to make sure you, okay, maybe we'll push that to seven, seven 15, right? So like having a little extra time to get everyone in feeling like you've got enough time to get to that next stage. ⁓ but you know, I know it's sometimes a short night and you're only allocated five hours or, know, something like that. just,
Leya Simmons (11:02)
huh.
Kandice Luisi (11:10)
Making sure you don't add too many things, too many speakers. So just considering it all as a whole is a big picture, I say would be my advice. I don't know what else. ⁓
Leya Simmons (11:17)
That's, I think that's incredible actually. And things that
I've not really thought about that those are the, those are those big contributing factors. Okay. So day of we've established, a show, you've shown up at the event when the lights go up and people are coming in the door. What do, what can the people that work for the nonprofits, so the staff members, mean, of course we usually have some volunteers in there, but what can they do so that they stay sane and efficient? You're maybe like your top.
Kandice Luisi (11:26)
But.
Leya Simmons (11:45)
two to three must do's to ensure smooth day of logistics. How about that?
Kandice Luisi (11:50)
And of course that comes down to that same timeline. And I called, there's like a how the event's going to go timeline. That's kind of for everybody. And then there's a, every person has their job. So when we color code our timeline, have, you know, Sarah, she's at registration. And at this exact time, she goes to these other things and just making sure they know what their next step is. Cause the worst thing you can have is a volunteer that doesn't know where they're supposed to be. ⁓ so, know, I'll organic. I'm going to just, you know, harp on communication a lot, but, ⁓ just having that.
that communication between the team. And this is maybe a contradicting opinion. ⁓ But the reason we sell our services so well is that we come in to do those jobs for you. And I'm going to be utilizing either our staff or your volunteers. The organization's staff should, to me personally, I don't even want them doing any designated job that takes longer than, okay, I go help with this and I go help with that.
for me, if you have the staff to be able to bring on volunteers or you're able to hire a third party to come in and do these things, the main goal for the organization staff, especially the top leaders, is to go spread their mission. They're there to get to know their community. So if you're bucked up at registration or you're having to help with catering or having, where's your time to go get to know your donors? And that's, want to get to know you. They want to, you you want to get to know them. And so again, this might be...
Leya Simmons (13:09)
Yeah.
Kandice Luisi (13:17)
something that not everyone could pull off. ⁓ But if you're able to utilize volunteers instead, staff should just be kind of watching it flow with everyone in place doing that job instead of them.
Leya Simmons (13:29)
love that advice because I can't
tell you working with Better Unite how many times going on site to an event, know, the people in the, that are checking folks in. you didn't mention this. I'll, I'll mention this one that I've seen and it's a bit of a complaint, but the, the, you know, development director or executive director or even key staff are in the registration kind of group, they, they create their own bottleneck because they know so many people. And of course they can't like quickly shoe a major donor off to go get their drink, but
Kandice Luisi (13:57)
Yep. Great.
Leya Simmons (13:59)
strangers can do that or just a volunteer can do that. I, you it's always so, you know, we're, looking for that quick, get them in the door. I love, love the idea of our key staff being somewhere else, being able to, you know, create the connections that the event is actually for.
Kandice Luisi (14:00)
Yes.
Yep. And anything that's, you know, able to, a job that can help you get to know your donors, that's something staff should do, but not at registration, right? That's a great point. And anytime I'm in my consultations with my clients, I'm like, you're not going to be there. But this is how I'm going to run it because you're going to be busy with X, Y, and Z. You're going to be talking to everybody. You're going to, you know, be having a good time. You did all the work leading up to this and I know you're going to do all the work after. you know, during the event only come to just
Leya Simmons (14:41)
Great.
actually
enjoy yourself. And let the donors and the attendees see you enjoying yourself. You know, it becomes contagious too, I think. Okay, so then you've touched on volunteers. How can they best be utilized for kind of like maximum impact and cause the least amount of chaos?
Kandice Luisi (14:46)
Hit a thumbs up. Yeah, go have fun.
Exactly. Yeah.
You know, and this is this I have a few notes for this, but one thing when you're communicating with your volunteers, it is OK to have volunteers that can only give a few hours, but make sure it's very clear on the front end. This is the time frame in which I'm giving. If it's the whole time and they're expected to be there the whole time, I'm personally, if I'm there, I'm going to be using them the whole time. And then I'm going to because that's my first question when I ask, you know, when I'm talking to volunteers, OK, who's here for what? Whenever I'm doing assignments, whenever I'm creating that
that timeline, I need to know like where everyone's going to be because I can't tell you how many times I've had volunteers, you know, they're there and then, ⁓ I'm actually I go in and enjoy or I have to leave at this certain time. Well, I had you assigned to a job, right? In my mind, you're here the whole time and you're you know, you're working. So I would just say making sure you have that clear expectation that how long are you here? And then another thing is just knowing people's strengths and weaknesses. I'm not afraid to ask when I got my volunteers, they always
Leya Simmons (15:47)
Yeah.
Kandice Luisi (16:02)
kind of bring me everybody at first. okay. I need this many for registration. The rest, you know, the team might need you somewhere else. ⁓ but finding people's strengths and weaknesses. So if I have someone that's, know, I'm prepping them and saying, okay, you're going to be on a computer. You're going to be talking to guests. Do you feel comfortable doing that? And I know it's, I'm putting you on the spot to ask you that, but who, who feels the most comfortable talking to a ton of people?
Leya Simmons (16:26)
That's interesting. Yeah.
Kandice Luisi (16:31)
and using a device. if your strength is more ushering people in and kind of being welcoming, let's put you there. So I think a lot of the time you have to kind of navigate that early.
Leya Simmons (16:43)
I love those ushers. I love when I show up at an event and somebody's like they're directing traffic. just, it's almost like comforting as a guest as well too. And it just tells you where you're supposed to go. I think somebody walked up to me and say, move over this way, please. By all means. Exactly. Air traffic controlling.
Kandice Luisi (16:45)
Yeah!
Absolutely. I never know where I'm going. I'm am I supposed to be here or there? I don't know.
Yeah, someone is just doing one of these and I'm like, okay, great. I'm doing my job. Yeah.
Leya Simmons (17:07)
So what's a common last minute scramble that you've seen happen at events?
Kandice Luisi (17:14)
Goodness. ⁓ You know, there's always something I couldn't imagine like going wrong with paddles goes wrong. You know, like, you know, you're thinking that you've had this conversation a million times about how anything goes or, you know, it doesn't matter. There's always something. just making sure because the paddle is how we're able to identify the guest and put everything to paper, everything into a system. So
That is their identifier. ⁓ Putting their name, the guest names on the paddles really big for me. So a lot of things are around paddles for me, making sure, ⁓ I can't tell you how many times we had like little, like, like a program and the paddle was on the program, which I'm not, you know, I'm not saying don't do it, but it's this big. And you have to think, okay, how's the auctioneer going to see that? ⁓ You know, it's, it's, it's always, you know, just ⁓ one of those things that, okay, let's talk out every single part. How are we distributing them?
Leya Simmons (18:02)
They cannot see it.
Kandice Luisi (18:12)
What's already on them? you know, what's the size? What's the font size? Like having those conversations for, with, with my clients and just making sure that the paddles are what we think. I have a sample where I'm like, this is what I recommend. Here's a format. You can steal it if you want, you know, ⁓ that's one of the things. then let's see, another mishap would probably just be like, it's, it's not really a mishap. just a hurdle. A lot of the time we don't know who's coming. You know, if you got a sponsor heavy event, ⁓
making sure you have a plan in place if we are not able to identify somebody or if somebody comes that we weren't anticipating or anything like that, meaning an extra table, ⁓ you know, by being able to, you know, sell a ticket on site or whatever the case be, you know, if I don't know who this person is, do I have a plan for where to put them? Because I can't tell you how many times I've had to awkwardly be like, could you just give me one moment? I have nowhere to put you. have no...
Leya Simmons (18:56)
Is it good? Sure.
Kandice Luisi (19:11)
you know, or I don't know what's.
Leya Simmons (19:12)
And it invariably turns out to be like their biggest donor or the most important person that didn't say they were coming.
Kandice Luisi (19:16)
Gosh, and then they feel so awkward.
Yeah, so I always like to have backup. So, okay, great. I have a lot of empty seats here that the sponsors didn't give us. We don't know who all is coming. Let's make sure we have an extra table or we have a system. We have a person I'm going to go to to ask, or whatever, a master list, anything to kind of alleviate that. And then of course, table assignments. That's a big one. Table assignments can be great when done.
Leya Simmons (19:29)
Hmm.
Kandice Luisi (19:45)
so helpful when done well. And my advice is to have a platform like yours that you can put them in so that you can see it all and having one list. think that's a big one too. so many people, you'll have so many lists that live everywhere. You have to have one. So if you're putting it in the Better Unite system, it all exists under that person's profile. So when you go to check them in, it says right there what table number they're at. And then they also get a text that says what table number they are. mean, you can't communicate it any other
Leya Simmons (19:52)
Yeah.
Yeah.
Kandice Luisi (20:15)
million ways.
Leya Simmons (20:17)
more
clearly, I know. And that's honestly, when they walk up to registration, that's like the only thing they really want to know is like, where am I going? Right? And so we want them to give us a credit card. And we want to give them a paddle. But like, that's not really their key concern. They just want to know where am I supposed to sit so can go get my first cocktail. And so I always think about that when I'm like, let's just get that to them as fast as we can. And then the other pieces kind of can take care of themselves. Yeah. Well, I love that the clarity, like, both clarity and delegation making that
Kandice Luisi (20:24)
Where am I sitting?
Exactly.
Leya Simmons (20:47)
huge difference for the smoothness of the entrance into the event.
Kandice Luisi (20:50)
Yeah, clean lists.
Yeah, clean lists. That's huge. mean, back to that, just having one and it being a shared document, you know, kind of thing that's everyone can see the updates and no one's pulling that version and now there's a new version out. So just very clean, crisp lists, contacts, that sort of thing. Very, very important.
Leya Simmons (21:14)
So you're you're you're you've jumped into the realm that I was going to take us into which is tech and we you and I both know Candice has a background working with event tech as well as I can I share your I don't think it's a secret that you are a benefit auctioneer specialist she has her designation so take with ⁓ as wholly the words that that Candice shares about what auctioneers need in these situations. ⁓ So you and I both know that like.
tech can make or break an event. It really can and a lot hinges on it. I mean, and I see this and our team talks about this all the time. A lot of organizations just kind of aren't using their technology to the fullest to get everything out of it that they can. How can nonprofits better leverage event software like BetterUnite is the one that I'm familiar with, but frankly, any of them to reduce. So how can they leverage the tech to reduce stress on event day?
Kandice Luisi (22:05)
Ahem.
Yeah, and you were about to tell them too, I came from software, so I helped kind of build up a software and go out into these events and find, what do we need to make these more successful? So I got to kind of help from the back end of it and really build it. And then I started my own company and now I work with, I can't say any software anymore. I used to say any software. And now we have strict rules on certain ones if they don't have X, Y, and Z in their tech built in.
that we won't use it. ⁓ You can make a switch or maybe we're not the right fit for you, but ⁓ we have to have certain tools. One key thing that makes me choose Better Your Night over other ones ⁓ is that you did, but you're at my top of my list. You know that already. I guess I should tell everybody else. You guys are my number one for these few things. And the big one for me is ⁓ every stage of
Leya Simmons (22:51)
I'm happy to know we passed your test. I'm teasing, I know that because you used it and I didn't.
Kandice Luisi (23:06)
me using this software, you have thought of every way, what's ways is to shave off a few seconds, to shave off time, everything with check in, with clerking, with checkout, you've made it to where I don't have to click a boo boo boo boo boo. This is the action I need, it's done. This is what I need. It's very quick, adding a credit card, checking someone in. I don't want all the fluff. I don't need all the different things.
Leya Simmons (23:14)
Yeah.
Kandice Luisi (23:33)
⁓ you have all the customizations in there, but as far as like when I need to get something done, I am able to get it done in a matter of seconds. And, ⁓ the thing I have to brag about the most is probably your clerking tool because being able to beat, I am the clerk, right? So I'm the person at every event that's putting it in the system because you know, the moment that that auctioneer is off that stage checkout begins. Okay. I don't have a time. I don't have time to breathe. They need me right there. Right. So.
I'm in this very important job of getting everything in and then they're calling my name to get check out. having the tools be so easy. It's a drop down. I pick what I want. I type in the paddle number, you know, and I can hit enter and type a new paddle number and a new one and a new one. are we switching levels? Drop down next level type in a new. Everything allows me to be able to have everything in in real time. So as I'm hearing it as quick as I can type 105 enter, it's in the system.
So now I'm moving on to the next one. And you know that these auctioneers, they talk fast for a reason, you know? in last year, okay, so I've gotten to be like a little, you know, gotta pat my own shoulder here, but your tool has allowed me to master last hero standing. I don't know if anyone has ever seen the last hero standing and how it works, but they throw a paddle up. The auctioneer has to say as many numbers in the air as he can see before they immediately take them down. The reason.
Leya Simmons (24:36)
my gosh, they go so fast sometimes. I don't even know how they do it.
you
Kandice Luisi (25:00)
you know, because they take them down. If they don't see it, they can't call it. And that person did raise. But if the auctioneer didn't catch it, then it's not a donation. So he calls them all. And the last person to have it up wins this price. So when he's seeing them all pop up, he is here. She has to get as many as they can as quick as they can. So it's one or five to seven, three or two, you know, like that. And I have to be able to type that in. And I can with your tools. If there's anything other than the enter bar.
If I have to click on a mouse or do any, then I'm not going to make it. But yeah, it doesn't work. making sure you shave off seconds for me is a big one. And then just ease. it has your, your software has every technical capability I need it to, to, you know, I, can ask me specifics cause you probably have it, but that's what I don't know about it.
Leya Simmons (25:31)
Yeah, it doesn't work.
Well,
and I, let me also pass some praise back to you, which is that you have absolutely impacted the software better, you know, for those of you that maybe don't know better, Unite has a very robust event tool that Candace uses quite often. And, ⁓ we love to learn from our actual users. There's only so much, you know, that we can know without actually being on site, which, you know, we, come to as many things as we can, but.
Kandice Luisi (25:54)
Thank
Leya Simmons (26:15)
Candice has given us incredible feedback and also like a, hey, you know what I'd love to see? And that's like my favorite words. I love to hear. It's the best and our team loves it. I can tell you that our, our chief architect knows Candice on a first name basis because you guys have had a couple of conversations. ⁓ so thank you for that. It's you.
Kandice Luisi (26:21)
I'm kind of needy. I'm a little needy.
Yeah, you know, honestly,
a lot of that I can't take credit for. It's my clients a little bit. Gosh, I wish it did this. And I'm like, I know, I know somebody. Let me ask them. Yeah.
Leya Simmons (26:39)
Yeah.
Dial a friend. Okay,
so what features, speaking of like not using something to its fullest extent, thank you so much for your wonderful praise of the quick ad feature, but what other features that ⁓ are maybe more underutilized can make a big difference for a non-profit?
Kandice Luisi (27:00)
Um, you know, I'm all about the data and just keeping things super organized and very clear. Um, so, so many different, every event is different. So every time I go to the first event with a new client, I learn these different needs that they have versus other clients. And I love that because I can, I can continue helping each organization grow in different ways. Um, but you know, every organization has something very unique.
Leya Simmons (27:07)
Yeah.
Kandice Luisi (27:30)
And sometimes utilizing tags ⁓ can really help. So if it's like, need to note that this person is a VIP or I need to note that this person, you know, needs this envelope when you get checked in, you know, I want to be able to have that in easy visual. So you have the ability to add tags. I don't think anyone hardly ever uses tags. And I'm always, you know, they're like, yeah, it is. is.
Leya Simmons (27:31)
Yeah.
I'm so glad you're mentioning this. It's such a key feature, it really is. And it can
do, solve so many different problems. Like honestly, I know that one of the things our account managers are constantly like telling whenever somebody brings a problem, they're like, yeah.
Kandice Luisi (28:01)
Well, shows up in bright orange above their name.
So I pulled them up and there it is. You know, there's this tag that says, you know, whatever, and you can't help. Yeah, you can't help but see it. So, you know, it's one of those things that has I, I think one of my organizers used it. Truthfully, you probably have told me about tags a million times and what it wasn't until one of my organizers found it herself and used it. And I was like, look at that. Would you look at that? That that works so nice. So I've been using them a lot.
Leya Simmons (28:10)
gluten free or yeah.
you
There you go.
What, so you mentioned ⁓ before that some data points. What data specifically should nonprofits be tracking? And can you kind of break that down into before the event, like maybe during, like right before the event, something that they should pull, and then also after the event?
Kandice Luisi (28:49)
Okay.
I'm going to start a little backwards. So at the end of every event, we provide a full debrief document that kind of walks you through every single thing of your event. Um, and just, you know, go through and analyze all the data. So with the first year I get to work with them, it's kind of on somewhat of a basic level, you know, you know, this is our first year. So this is what we did at each level. And this is, know, what it looks like. We really analyze it together because. Every organization is different. You, know, this organization would know their guests better than me.
but we can talk out why this or that was better than, you know, that level or whatever. And you use data to kind of figure that out. ⁓ and each kind of reporting is, it looks a little different, but when you go to start the next year and you're looking at, ⁓ you know, starting to plan it again, ⁓ the first thing that I do with my clients is say, okay, let's go back to that debrief. Let's look at completely top to bottom. Let's talk out last year completely. Cause guess what? That was six months ago.
Leya Simmons (29:21)
Right.
Kandice Luisi (29:46)
You know, we don't fully remember everything that that went down. So let's refresh our minds and let's talk about that little note section at the bottom that says what we would like to see better. Let's think about how we can make that happen. ⁓ and you know, this is, there's a lot of reporting that can help you that's in better unite when it comes to like, you know, analyzing the different, different things. And you, you guys have a lot of that kind of already done for you and easy visuals. ⁓ one thing that I, especially if you have a silent auction,
Leya Simmons (29:47)
Hmm.
soon.
Yeah. Yeah.
Kandice Luisi (30:17)
Well, inclusively, if you have a silent auction. One thing that I really, really like to look at is the bidding reports and seeing like, when you're looking at the carts and you're looking at the money spent, Jack Johnson spent, you know, 3000 on silent auction, 7000 on live auction, and he donated 5000. He looks like an A plus guy, right? He's very easy to pick out as a really great donor.
Leya Simmons (30:25)
Hmm. Friends.
Kandice Luisi (30:46)
But who isn't easy to pick out is probably Sarah Johnson. When you look at her cart, she gave maybe a hundred dollars in silent auction. And then she gave, you know, 200 during the, the power race. It seems like she may not, she may not be your top priority, but you know what? If you were to look at a bidding report and you were to see Sarah Johnson bid on every single one of these items, she was bidding like crazy. ⁓ and she was getting those items up. You know, she helped.
raise money even without spending money because she was the backbitter. But you're also looking at that bitter report and saying, which items did really well? Which one should we focus on getting donated again? Which ones didn't? Which one should we not wait, you know, spend our time on? And you start tweaking your marketplace just like you would a store and you're catering it to your donors and your guests and to the Sarah Johnson. How do we get her? She was willing to spend 250 on this, but she got outbid. She was willing to spend
Leya Simmons (31:26)
Bye.
Kandice Luisi (31:43)
you know, X, Y, you know, all this, but she got outbid. Clearly there was money there that she was willing to spend, but at the end she didn't. So how do we get her to spend that later? And that's just something you can really deep dive ⁓ and talk about because you have a better report and you have records of all of those things. So that's one of my personal favorites because I just like to learn the psychology behind it.
Leya Simmons (32:02)
Love that.
Yeah, exactly. And it just gives you some marching orders, frankly, around also your cultivation, you know, what you're going to do, especially if Sarah comes to next year's event. How are we going to talk to her?
Kandice Luisi (32:13)
Yeah. And every
event's a little different. So people ask me all the time, well, what, silent auction items should we do? It depends. It depends on your region, your people, what they're liking, what they don't like. You know, I've got one that's purely jewelry and it does so well. And then another event, they put jewelry in, not a single bid, but guess what? The trips went crazy. So you just have to really kind of look at that data and think about it. so silent auction is a lot of work.
Leya Simmons (32:22)
Yeah. Losing your room.
wow.
Kandice Luisi (32:42)
to get the donations, to put them together, you know, so make it worth it. Get the items that are doing really well.
Leya Simmons (32:49)
that is wonderful Sage advice. And I like that lesson. It's particularly because they are there's so much work. And even though I think our technology has come a long way and making them less work. Cause I remember the days of clipboards and papers and pencils and everything down. And it's just, that's a logistical nightmare. And now we can like have people auto upload their items. we can really automate a lot of it.
Kandice Luisi (33:02)
yeah.
That's amazing. I have not
utilized that yet. I'm really excited to have ⁓ an organization use that because that's cool. Yes. Yes.
Leya Simmons (33:15)
Good.
The auction item donation form, very popular. Yeah.
So making all of that very fluid and all of, but regardless, it is just, it is a lot of work and you know, it's a taxing ask of the committee. So when you can explain the ROI of like, now I'm going to understand my donors a lot better. I just love that reframe. ⁓ okay. That was a great example of something that helps you before, during, and after your event, Candace, way to go. All in one shot.
So how then can tech improve our donor to guest experience? sorry. I guess I would say the donor or guest experience. you know, folks are showing up. ⁓ You know, I've heard this a lot and I bet you have too, where that, you know, we've got people that are kind of, well, we think are the folks that are coming to our event are really technology averse. They're not going to want to have that. Like how can you overcome that? And ⁓ what, like, why would you say that?
technology can really boost the donor or guest experience.
Kandice Luisi (34:15)
Absolutely. would say, you know, five years ago, I could see why there might be certain groups that still utilize the paper bidding. However, now it's, it's such a time where everyone has their phone on them. Everyone. It's just, it's all there and that's, they depend on that for everything. ⁓ and so, you know, I think with silent auction, especially if you're having me for
Leya Simmons (34:31)
I think the effect is just there, yeah. You're gonna use your.
Kandice Luisi (34:44)
for sure you're not gonna get me back to that paper. I'm not gonna think about it. I'm not gonna, the rest of evening, I mean, I got a little bit of ADHD, so ⁓ if I wrote my name down, great, I was excited about it in the moment and I forgot about it. But you what I won't forget is the outbid text that says, hey, you've been outbid, wanna replace your bid? And here's a link and it's so easy and you just replace, or you hit a max bid and say, I'm willing to spend, you can't put max bid on paper. So if you can put max bid and say, I'm willing to spend,
Leya Simmons (34:47)
Yeah.
No. Interesting. I can't.
Kandice Luisi (35:13)
$200 on this the bids
Leya Simmons (35:15)
Yeah.
Kandice Luisi (35:15)
currently at 75 it Automatically will bid for you to your to your amount and then of course if you're outbid past 200 you change your mind You want to go up to 220 you can't you know, so, you know might as well So that's kind of helps just ease of use one thing. I just want to note too that is Just so important is I don't need a login or like to remember password You know, you've got these links. I call the magic links because they really act like magic
Leya Simmons (35:38)
Yeah.
I borrowed
that language from you, Candice. I love that.
Kandice Luisi (35:43)
You should, you should.
It, it does act like magic. You click it. You know, I don't, I don't know what the magic happens in the backend, but it knows it's you and you're in. No one else can, you know, come in as you. I don't know how you do it. You probably know the logistics, but it's great.
Leya Simmons (35:52)
Yep.
Yep. ⁓
Yeah, and now we have, so I don't know if you know this, Candice, too. Have you had an organization use donate your bid? Sorry, this is little bit of buttery night. So what you can do now, and this was actually a suggestion by an organization. So if you've made your donation, you've gone through and but you did not, you got outbid and you didn't end up winning the auction item. We now have it so that they can get sent a text saying, would you like to donate the amount of your bid? And it has been
Kandice Luisi (36:06)
No.
Leya Simmons (36:28)
so successful in the events that we've seen that use. just released it maybe at the end of November, I think. So this next one, yeah. It's there.
Kandice Luisi (36:30)
my gosh.
I you mentioning it and I remember storing it away and you know, I think
has it been just, I mean, I bet you could raise so much more.
Leya Simmons (36:42)
It's outstanding. It has, yeah,
there have been, we've had quite a few orgs opt into it and it's really, really moved the needle. We don't have a case study just yet, but we're about to. Sorry.
Kandice Luisi (36:48)
Well, that's that Sarah Johnson,
That's that Sarah Johnson, you know, that I just mentioned where she bid a lot, right, but then didn't win. And wow.
Leya Simmons (36:55)
Exactly. That's right.
And
all those bids just kind of evaporated as though they weren't there, but then we could maybe, I mean, you know, she might not do all of them, but a couple of, she might, you know, the first one particularly. So anyway, I'm really excited about that piece. okay. So like we're now we're here, we are in the brass tacks of like, we got to raise money. These are not just parties. are fundraisers. Candice knockout fundraising does, I mean, for anybody that doesn't have the staff or the bandwidth to really do a blowout event, bringing in somebody like Candice. And frankly, I would say bring in Candice because
Kandice Luisi (37:06)
Yeah!
Cool. What is this?
Leya Simmons (37:30)
She's like beginning to end. I'm just really impressed by the breadth and the, actually, I would say the depth of, of, of agency that you bring to organizations when they're running these events. And I remember working with small midsize nonprofits that, you know, it was, it's an all hands on deck and then we still can't get to everything. And we certainly can't think of everything. So, um, you know, the goal is always raising money. So when that's the strategy, how can we like,
Kandice Luisi (37:40)
Thank you.
Leya Simmons (37:58)
infuse fundraising opportunities throughout an event without just totally overwhelming the guests. How do you kind of weave those moments into the event flow naturally? So they seem natural, I guess I should say.
Kandice Luisi (38:11)
Yeah,
yeah, well, I have the most what probably seems like the most clear answer and know that when I say this, I know I'm probably a little biased ⁓ because these are my favorite people, but having a certified professional auctioneer, there's nothing more important as much as I can help fundraising with concepts and how things work and the logistics. And this is what I've seen. And this is
Leya Simmons (38:29)
percent.
Kandice Luisi (38:39)
You know, I could provide ideas all day. I'm not on the front. I'm on the back, which that's where I want to be. I like to be in the back end of things, you know, making sure everything kind of works well. ⁓ but the person that you need to ensure that you maximize your fundraising is a PR and I don't mean any, I mean a professional licensed, you know, they go through all the training, all this, you know, the NAA, which is national auctioneer association. Yeah.
Leya Simmons (39:02)
intense, the training. I've
just become familiar with it as of this last year. I was, I was floored, I have to say it's like a three year process. I mean, it's not small. Yeah.
Kandice Luisi (39:08)
Yeah.
And it's definitely, it's it's key. It's key to your ability to fundraise because you can go for the free person all day, the person that offers to do free, but you're going to lose money by giving it to them for free, by allowing someone to do it for free because you want this person that that is what they have invested their career in because to make that smooth transition from one thing to another, they do this all the time. They're trained.
Leya Simmons (39:15)
Totally agree.
Yeah.
Kandice Luisi (39:36)
to understand people and understand the psychology behind why people give and how they give and the best way to kind of, I don't want anyone to walk away feeling, know, like what just happened in there, you know, but to do it with purpose and meaning and for the organization and on behalf of the organization. How many times, like if you were to tell me to netlist the five best things about myself, I would start sweating, I would hate it, but.
I could be like, Leah, can you go tell somebody the best five things about me? And I could even feed you what those five things are, okay? But that would be much easier. Someone would believe you. You know, they're not gonna believe me. I just said it about myself. So hiring somebody to come on and advocate for you.
Leya Simmons (40:10)
You ready?
Sure.
I've
honestly never thought of it in those terms. That's an incredible analogy.
Kandice Luisi (40:23)
Yeah. Well, you know,
I'm not going to ask for money for myself. You know what I'm saying? You just don't do that. Yeah. Yeah. So you got to have someone come in and do that for you and have someone come in that's professional and, can speak on your behalf and say, this is what we're here for. that's what they do. That's how that's what they're trained for. So obviously there's, you know, other little, you know, tools and things, but honestly that, that just, that's the key.
Leya Simmons (40:28)
Yeah, right? It's super weird and awkward.
Mm hmm. Yeah.
Yeah, having somebody on stage that knows what they're doing and knows and has done it before is just, mean, it's, I don't know how many you've watched, but I've watched quite a few events that don't have it. And it's just, there's, it's just always, there's inevitably the awkward moment. There's inevitably. ⁓
Kandice Luisi (40:54)
Mm-hmm.
yes. It's, you know, when you're like, you're sitting there
and you've seen these a million times and I'll be like, Ooh, that was tough. ⁓ we just lost everybody. You know, you can feel it. I'm, I feel this like, ⁓ just like, you know, when you learn how to ride a bike, you kind of, know, how to ride a bike. I've seen so many of these that it's like riding a bike. I can feel, and I'm also very empathic. So, but I can feel the energy in the room, Wayne or
Leya Simmons (41:07)
Yep, and they went.
Kandice Luisi (41:28)
go up or I could just feel it doing this and kind of know like that's where we lost them. know, and even, you know, sometimes it's just like, okay, we needed to tweak that run of show, right? And you couldn't have anticipated this, but now we know. But you know, ⁓ that just kind of full circles back to the show, making sure there's not crazy pauses or you've built up this momentum. Okay. Put a speaker on. No, no, no. You built up this momentum, put your auctioneer on, right? So making sure those things flow. Exactly. Exactly. Yeah.
Leya Simmons (41:33)
Yeah.
There you go. High energy, let's get the money going. Yeah.
I
also love about the auctioneers too is that they do such a good job of making the audience feel good about what they're doing. Because I think you're right about that. It's awkward asking for money for yourself, maybe even for your own mission. I don't know about you, but the times I see no auctioneer up there, I'll see a board president that'll act as the emcee. And they have that same awkwardness.
about them in that regard. And but when the auctioneer is up there, the energy just like continues to move up and the there there.
they are truly cheerleading the audience and reminding them over and over again that they're the heroes in the room and that they are doing the good work to support the mission. And the mission is their weapon. This is my favorite analogy is that the donor is the guest is the hero and the nonprofit is the hammer of Thor is the hero's weapon. So the hero is the person in the audience trying to do good. And I just think the auctioneers really hammer that home.
Kandice Luisi (42:51)
Mm-hmm.
they can really put that out there. And it's also having the right fit too. having, that's like a whole other topic, but just like the right fit, right? So if you're advocating for women, let's put a woman on the stage, right? Or whatever, and just, it's kind of funny, because you've got people, you've got auctioneers who are so eclectic and they can really just do ⁓ it all.
Leya Simmons (43:05)
I was just talking about this earlier today. ⁓ Yeah.
Right, yeah, it's pretty, people can't.
in all shapes and sizes.
Kandice Luisi (43:27)
Yeah, yeah, it's
really, you got to find the right fit for you. And, and okay, maybe you don't need a ton of support on the front end. So you know, this person's really great energy, you know, or, Hey, you need so much support. You're going to want to go for somebody who's like really dives into the consulting before. So, you know, just if you ever, if I know auctioneers all over the country. So if anybody needs to know who to go to, or, you know, I can help you find that fit what you're looking for. can help you find that fit, but, ⁓ shopping around and finding the ones that are, that are certified.
Leya Simmons (43:52)
That's incredible. That's a nice one.
Kandice Luisi (43:57)
and and qualify. Yeah. yeah.
Leya Simmons (43:58)
and then good for your particular organization. Like you said, they're all special snowflakes. Every event
is. Okay, so last question, one I always end with that I love. What is, well, so you can take either of these two questions. How about this? What is the one thing that you would love for everybody to take away from this webinar today and or what's one small tweak that a nonprofit could make to increase giving at their next event?
Kandice Luisi (44:25)
Hmm That is a really hard question really really really put me on the spot here. ⁓ Okay, you know what? ⁓ This isn't anything that we've said actually but so maybe the takeaway gets gets given now I would say one thing that I think ⁓ Is underutilized is Nonprofits really communicating with other nonprofits and saying hey
Leya Simmons (44:27)
Final thoughts from Candice Luisi. Sorry, it's my specialty.
Okay.
Kandice Luisi (44:54)
I have this gala, we've done it the same way every year. I just want to see another one, right? So as someone with that same company and they've been working the same event, that might be all you know. That might be the only gala you've been to. So you see it this one way. I've seen a million. I've seen it work here and not work there. I've seen these different things and I feel like anytime I bring up, I've seen this, anytime I say that to a client, they're like, whoa, I've never thought of that.
Leya Simmons (45:14)
Yeah.
Kandice Luisi (45:21)
⁓ Though I hadn't said it before, I think it's something that is very important is that you go into your community and you say, hey, this is what we're doing. This is our mission. We have a gala as well. Is there any way that I could just, I don't even have to have a plate or seat or anything, but could I just come and just see what you're doing? I've heard great things. Could I just come and see? And that knowledge shared and joining a forum, know, whatever it takes, like community is everything. And I can't tell you how many ⁓ organizations, you know, just
haven't taken that opportunity to go talk to another organization, or I've been able to connect some and say, yeah, I have a client that, you know, is doing something great. It's a little different, but it's in the same community as you, you know, I'd love to connect you and, just finding those, those like-minded individuals that would be happy to share knowledge. ⁓ I think for me, it's, comes down to knowledge share. I can't tell you how many auctioneers, ⁓ that have really just, I mean, devoted their knowledge into me and,
made me really grow and love this industry and I wouldn't have been able to do it if I didn't get to see all these different ways of doing things and learning from these different people. And I just think that that's crucial.
Leya Simmons (46:29)
I'm so glad that you brought that up. mean, we talk about that. I've really never thought about it either. Again, Candice, you're bringing a reframe to me, but I've never, how many times I've talked about the power of nonprofits kind of coming together or a merger and acquisition that's pretty rare among nonprofits, but I think unfortunately so. And then also, you know, we are seeing this trend among foundations where they are looking to nonprofits to...
work together to collaborate. Here in Austin, where I live, there's actually ⁓ a conference summit that they have started ⁓ called Austin Together, which is bringing the nonprofits together so that they can collaborate and speak to each other. But I hadn't really thought about it in the context of events. And that is just, I think, advice. So thank you for that. I'm going to be sharing that one widely, too. OK, we do have one question. And I want to throw it out to you. And we're kind of moving past our allotted time, but we've got a few more minutes.
Kandice Luisi (47:05)
yes.
No problem. good, yeah.
Leya Simmons (47:24)
How can an auctioneer successfully execute a last hero standing appeal without making other guests feel sidelined or showing favoritism? While it's a powerful technique, ⁓ I've often felt a well-run paddle drop achieves similar results in a way that feels more inclusive and energizing for the whole room. So what's your perspective on those two approaches? That's a good question.
Kandice Luisi (47:29)
Mmm.
good.
Okay, so
let's say we're at the $100 level with ⁓ either one of those games, last hero standing or the paddle drop. I can say with how many times I've seen last hero, that is the most, that's some of the most 100s that you'll get. Like, so when I say that, so you're going to get like 50, I've seen like 50 to a hundred of people raise their paddles. That game can go on forever and people are just going like crazy playing this game. It's a game.
that's competitive and fun. And it's for often an item that they, you know, is well worth over a hundred dollars. So they don't mind raising it a couple of times, even if they still don't win. ⁓ It's kind of similar to like a raffle in the sense that you can buy multiple, ⁓ you know, and kind of raise a bit more than if you had put it in a silent auction. But communication is huge. The auctioneer has to be so clear on the instructions because I can't tell you how many times I've had a guest be like, I thought it was just
Leya Simmons (48:43)
what just happened.
Kandice Luisi (48:43)
100
once and I'm like, no, every time you raise your paddle, you're donating. Right. Right. So just communicating is huge. ⁓ but them being able to really
Leya Simmons (48:46)
⁓ you mean at checkout there, they dispute. gosh. ⁓
Kandice Luisi (48:58)
feel the room, right? The favorites, I get what you're saying. They'll sometimes pick that person that just raised so many times. It is a delicate thing, right? You can't play favorites. They just call the numbers. So clear communication, making sure that they're explaining the game. And they say, when I say S-O-L-D sold and hit a hammer or clap, or this is the last syllable.
that I'm going to say that's when it's done. You know, just again, being really, really clear because someone might've thought they won already. I get it. There's confusion, but as long as they're clear on the front end and organized during the calling of the numbers and just calling out numbers and not always starting on one side of the room versus, you know, starting on the other, just have to, have to call out as many numbers as you can. ⁓ and, and again, that actually can't, you're right. Can't be biased. They can't just pick the number they want to win. Like they, have to be true to the game.
Leya Simmons (49:56)
Resist
the urge, actioneers.
Kandice Luisi (49:58)
Yeah. And I think
it's, I've seen it done so many times, so well, no complaints. The hundred dollar got raised like, again, like 60 to 70 times. That's 6,000, 7,000. You know, it's crazy how much money you can raise on that paddle drop only, you know, each guest has one chance to enter paddle. While if you are competitive and you're really into this game, you could raise three, four, five, 10 times to
Leya Simmons (50:03)
same. Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah.
Kandice Luisi (50:25)
because you're so dedicated at this point, you don't even care about you just want to win. don't even care how much you're giving. You just want to win. So that to me is a higher multiplication. So you can get a lot more. But if your worry is more of, OK, this game is confusing, go with the paddle drop. I like a paddle drop just as much. mean, really, people are just like, oh, what's given my paddle? Like I'm giving it 100 bucks and then we're going throw it up in the air. We're going to pick a winner. Both are really fun games.
Leya Simmons (50:29)
Right. Yeah.
in.
Kandice Luisi (50:53)
I would say one can be a little more complex but potential to raise more ones. Very simple and easy, but you're kind of limited on how much you can raise. Sorry. That was a lot to answer that question.
Leya Simmons (50:57)
or yeah.
I love that. That was an incredible, great question, Patrick, and great
answer, Candice. I love all of that. Well, thank you so much again, Candice, for joining me today on our Supercharging Your Events. Let me see, let me pull my presentation back up here so I can remember what I'm supposed to say next. ⁓
Kandice Luisi (51:12)
Thank you for having me.
Leya Simmons (51:21)
Next week. Okay, so Candice with Knockout Fundraising, please go to knockoutfundraising.com if you want to engage her and her superstar Tiger team team of people that can come and actually just completely run your event. ⁓ I let's see, I I actually there you go. KO fundraising. Thank you. I have to see I did I skipped the slide and when I messed up Candice with a K at KO fundraising.com. And also you are on Instagram, right? What's your Instagram handle?
Kandice Luisi (51:35)
Thank you, Leah. It's KOfundraising.com.
No, you're perfect.
⁓ KO fundraising probably. Now you put me on the spot.
Leya Simmons (51:51)
Okay, well, you can type. There you
go. Email Candice if you'd like to know her Instagram. There you go. And if you've got questions about any of the stuff that Candice was talking about with Better Unite, if you're unfamiliar with our event tool, please, you can email our support team at support at betterunite.com. And next week, sorry, here's my next slide, February 3rd, same time, 1.30 Central, I'm going to be joined by Stephanie Paz Townsend. She is an incredibly strategic leader and she is speaking
Kandice Luisi (51:58)
Pretty sure it's KO fundraising.
Leya Simmons (52:20)
Like basically where Candice's job ends, we're going to speak to what happens then. So the way that you can take your attendees at the event and turn them over time into major donors with some real strategies, some real intention, utilizing moves management, utilizing automations. This is not all landing on the head of the development director the next day. These are moves that you can plan before your event that are going to occur months after your event. So.
don't like please join this call. This is actually one of my favorite topics to talk about. know it's really, I really believe this is kind of the future of events and moving the needle with our in within the nonprofit world. So scan there, register for next week's event. And again, if you've got questions about any of the wonderful things that Candice said or things that that you'd like to talk to us about support at better unite.com we will show you around Candice. Thank you again so much for joining me today.
Kandice Luisi (52:49)
Not to join that one.
Leya Simmons (53:16)
I love seeing your face and chatting with you about all these things and ⁓ yeah, have a good day.
Kandice Luisi (53:22)
Thank you so much. Thanks for having us. And it was a pleasure. So thank you.
Leya Simmons (53:24)
All right, everybody, let's go do
some good. See you next time