ISRI2022 will feature the annual Recycling Education and Research Foundation (RERF) silent auction. This year it’s entirely online using a contracted mobile bidding platform. There’s no need for paper bids or for anyone to take bids onsite. “We introduced virtual bidding in the last convention, and it did very well,” says Chris Puig, ISRI executive assistant and RERF staff liaison. “Now we’ve taken it one step further.”

This year, RERF will guide silent auction attendees through the process. Once an attendee logs in and supplies other necessary information, they’ll be able to view all the donations. The items are divided into categories so attendees can easily search for and view what interests them, whether it’s advertising, technology, artwork, or outdoor accessories. Each item lists the price, bidding increments, and a description of the donor. Attendees can review items, place bids, and even set maximum bids.

Phone notifications will help members take part in the silent auction without missing other convention opportunities. Once they’ve noted their bids and items of interest, attendees can easily jump into any educational session or browse the exhibit hall, making sure to listen for their phones to buzz with auction updates. “It encourages members to take part without losing focus on the convention sessions. They can multitask with convenience and ease,” Puig explains.

Donors will hold onto their donated items until the end of the auction and give them directly or ship them to the winners. ISRI will take back and then ship items that winners cannot take onsite. This year’s exciting items up for bid include:

  • Two handcrafted “Iron Fish” sculptures by self-taught coastal sculptor Chase Allen of Daufuskie Island, S.C. Allen and his works have appeared in publications including Coastal Living, Southern Living, and Charleston Home.
  • A complimentary 2022 ISRI Gulf Coast Region Convention package. This package consists of one full convention registration; one night stay at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside; and a $200 dining certificate to a fine New Orleans restaurant.
  • Back by popular demand, the Premier Level NASCAR Xfinity Sponsorship Experience. Pick a NASCAR Xfinity race from the 2022 schedule and your company logos will replace the car’s regular SciApps logo. Includes 20–25 pit access and garage passes; a large poster of your branded car; and driver autograph.

The auction opened March 10 and closes at 2 p.m. EDT March 23. To access the auction text “RERF2022” to 243725 or visit http://bidpal.net/rerf2022.

Photo courtesy of ISRI. Caption: These Iron Fish are among biddable lots in the RERF 2022 Silent Auction. Award-winning metal sculptor Chase Allen specializes in handcrafting coastal sea creatures in his remote studio gallery on bridge-less Daufuskie Island, S.C.

 

Dan Hockensmith

Dan Hockensmith

I'm a native Ohioan who since 2014 has called Maryland home. My background includes print, broadcast, and digital journalism; government contracting; and marketing communications.