Should we auction a hunting trip or not?

Your Conservation & Wildlife Organization's banquet committee is split on whether to include a hunting trip in the auction. The tradition says yes—your crowd knows the outdoors and bids hard on it. But membership is broader than it used to be, and the committee doesn't want a debate on event night. You need a mix that feels right for every table.

Many conservation and wildlife organizations run a banquet culture built on tradition. Your crowd is outdoors-minded, they come to membership dinners, and they bid hard on adventures they know. But hunting trips can divide a room. While some members see them as a staple, others prefer experiences that feel more inclusive. The committee is stuck because the auction block needs to appeal to everyone, not just the most vocal table.

Adding a hunting trip does not have to be risky. You reserve it for free, along with a few other experiences like a Bourbon Trail trip, a fishing trip, or a golf getaway. You only pay for what sells, and you keep 100% over the cost. If the hunting trip doesn't sell, you owe nothing. In a room that bids competitively, the same package can sell to the second-place bidder, doubling your profit.

This week, read your own room. Offer a mix that includes a hunting trip, a lodge trip, guided fishing, golf, and Western adventure travel. That way every table has something to bid on. Giveback XP supplies the no-risk experiences: you reserve what you want, pay only for what sells, and can add items even the day of the event. The committee doesn't have to debate because the block carries no upfront cost.

Your banquet auction block has a mix that feels right. The bidding is competitive, and the room is comfortable. The committee members are nodding, not arguing. And you never had to take a side on the hunting trip debate.

Other questions about banquets & award dinners for conservation & wildlife organizations