Successful fundraising professionals do more than call bids.

They understand donor psychology. They create emotional connections. They guide nonprofit clients with confidence. And they know how to turn a moment onstage into meaningful, measurable impact.

The Impactful Event Fundraiser is an intimate, hands-on workshop created exclusively for professional auctioneers and fundraising hosts who are ready to perform with greater presence, sell with greater purpose, and build more profitable, sustainable businesses.

This is not a large conference where you sit in the back of the room and take notes.

It is a boutique learning experience built around practice, personal feedback, honest conversation, and strategies you can immediately use with your clients.

Who This Workshop Is For

The Impactful Event Fundraiser is designed for auctioneers and fundraising hosts who want to:

• Become more confident and commanding onstage

• Strengthen their live auction and paddle raise performance

• Create transformational—not transactional—fundraising moments

• Deliver greater value and measurable ROI to nonprofit clients

• Book more events and build stronger client relationships

• Improve their consultations, sales process, and marketing

• Learn alongside accomplished auctioneers and industry mentors

• Separate themselves from competitors who only provide a performance

Whether you are building your fundraising auction business or ready to take an established career to the next level, this experience will challenge you to think bigger about your role and your impact.

What You’ll Gain

Perform With Confidence

Learn how to command the stage, communicate with clarity, manage the energy in the room, and lead guests toward action.

Create More Generosity

Develop live auction and paddle raise techniques that connect donors to the mission and inspire meaningful participation.

Become a Trusted Advisor

Strengthen your ability to guide nonprofit clients before the event—not simply show up and call bids.

Grow Your Business

Explore sales psychology, client consultations, marketing, and relationship-building strategies that generate more opportunities.

Receive Personal Feedback

Put the lessons into action through role-play, coaching, collaboration, and direct feedback from experienced professionals.

Your Three-Day Experience

Sunday, January 10

Connection, Conversation and Intention

Your experience begins with a private welcome dinner in Tampa.

Meet your fellow participants, exchange insights about your markets, and establish your goals for the workshop. This opening evening creates the relationships and trust that make the following two days so valuable.

Optional Bid Calling Assessment and Coaching

Want individualized feedback on your auction performance?

Add a private bid calling assessment and coaching session with Bobby D. and Kelly. You’ll receive focused guidance designed to improve your clarity, confidence, rhythm, presence, and overall stage performance.

Additional investment: $500

Monday, January 11

Performance Day

Build the skills that help you create powerful fundraising moments onstage and throughout the donor experience.

Sessions include:

• The State of Nonprofit Fundraising: Understand where the billions flow and how to position yourself for greater opportunity.

• Live Auction Techniques: Command the stage, engage bidders, and maximize the value of every package.

• Paddle Raise Perfection: Deliver heart-driven asks that connect donors to impact.

• The Magic Question: Learn how meaningful mingling and donor discovery can transform the event.

• Role-Play and Practice: Apply what you learn and receive immediate expert feedback.

• Additional exercises, discussions, and collaborative learning experiences.

Tuesday, January 12

Profit and Impact

Turn stronger performance into a stronger business.

Sessions include:

• Sales Psychology for Auctioneers: Understand how clients make decisions and how to communicate your value.

• Client Consultations: Lead more productive conversations and build lasting partnerships.

• Marketing Mastery: Strengthen your website, social presence, referrals, and word-of-mouth growth.

• Your Final Pitch: Refine how you present yourself and your services through personal coaching and collaboration.

• Your Action Plan: Leave with clear next steps for applying what you’ve learned.

Meet Your Workshop Leaders

Bobby D. Ehlert

Bobby D. Ehlert is a world champion auctioneer, fundraising strategist, coach, and founder of Call To Auction. With more than 20 years of experience and thousands of hours onstage, Bobby has helped nonprofit organizations create more engaging events and raise hundreds of millions of dollars.

His approach goes far beyond bid calling. Bobby teaches auctioneers how to become strategic partners who create generosity, strengthen donor relationships, and deliver measurable value for their clients.

Kelly Russell

Kelly Russell is a nationally respected benefit auctioneer, auction coach and author of The Book on Fundraising Auctions. Through her company, Artisan Auctions, she has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for nonprofits. She has also dedicated over 15 years to coaching fellow auctioneers, empowering them to build successful businesses by mastering the auction chant and implementing winning business strategies. 

Kelly is passionate about elevating the industry. She combines her two decades of record-breaking, high-impact auction experience with practical business guidance, helping auctioneers refine their craft, increase their confidence, and achieve lasting success in the fundraising world.

What Past Participants Have Said

“This goes beyond a traditional auctioneering course.”

— Dusty Klink, 2025 Attendee

“I left inspired, equipped, and hopeful about what’s possible.”

— Reem Daniel, 2025 Attendee

“There’s nothing else quite like this.”

— Angelica Malin, 2025 Attendee

“I’ve been in this business for over 10 years and I received tons of takeaways”

— Katie Imholte Gabriel, 2025 Attendee

Why Enrollment Is Limited

Real development requires more than a crowded room and a slideshow.

Enrollment is intentionally limited to just 10–12 participants so you receive personal attention, meaningful coaching, and the opportunity to practice in a supportive environment.

You won’t disappear into the audience. You will participate, perform, receive feedback, and leave with practical strategies built around your goals.

What’s Included

Your $3,000 registration includes:

• The complete three-day workshop experience

• Lodging during the workshop (Sunday and Monday night, Tuesday $199 additional)

• Hosted meals (Working Breakfasts and Lunches)

• Private welcome dinner (Sunday)

• Private dinner (Monday)

• Interactive training sessions

• Role-play and performance exercises

• Personalized feedback

• Workshop resources and materials

• Access to an intimate network of fundraising professionals

• A clear plan for improving your performance and growing your business

Optional bid calling assessment and coaching session: $500

You may want to clarify exactly how many nights of lodging and which meals are included before publishing.

This Isn’t Another Seminar

It is a curated professional development experience designed to elevate your craft, expand your business, and reignite your purpose.

You will leave with more than ideas.

You will leave with stronger skills, greater confidence, deeper industry relationships, and practical strategies you can put to work immediately.

Build the Skills. Grow Your Business. Make a Greater Impact.

Only 10–12 seats are available for the 2027 workshop.

Want to get on the list?

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the workshop?

The workshop will take place January 10–12, 2027, in Tampa, Florida. Specific venue and arrival details will be provided to registered participants.

Who should attend?

This workshop is designed for professional auctioneers and fundraising hosts who want to improve their stage performance, client strategy, marketing, sales, and overall fundraising impact.

Is lodging included?

Yes. The $3,000 registration includes lodging, meals, and workshop sessions. Add the exact arrival, departure, and lodging details here.

Is travel included?

Airfare and transportation to Tampa are not included

What is the optional coaching session?

Participants may add a private bid calling assessment and coaching session with Bobby D. Ehlert and Kelly Russell for $500. This session provides individualized feedback on performance, clarity, rhythm, stage presence, and technique.

How many participants will attend?

Enrollment is limited to approximately 10–12 participants to preserve the intimate, hands-on nature of the workshop.

Is a payment plan available?

Payment plans are available. Just ask:)

What is the closest airport?

Tampa, FL

Your Next Level Won’t Happen by Accident.

If you are ready to become more confident onstage, more valuable to your clients, and more intentional about growing your fundraising business, this workshop was built for you.

Only 10–12 participants will be accepted.

January 10–12, 2027 | Safety Harbor, Florida
All-inclusive investment: $3,000

Reserve your spot today!