PRINCETON, NJ - One of the keys for a successful conference is to lure visitors to your booth and exhibitors are always looking for creative ways to accomplish that goal. NAFA Fleet Management Association is helping exhibitors at its 2011 Institute & Expo by holding a silent auction that will increase an exhibitor’s exposure while raising money to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as well.

NAFA’s 2011 Institute & Expo will take place April 9-12 in Charlotte, NC. From now until March 11, exhibitors may sign up to participate in the Silent Auction. Items for the auction will be on display at the exhibitor’s booth on Sunday, April 10 and Monday, April 11. Attendees will receive a list of items with the corresponding exhibitor booth number and company name. Bid sheets and signs promoting participation in the Silent Auction will be placed at the booth.

Bidding for the items will take place on Monday, April 11 between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The auction will officially close at 2:00 p.m. at which time the highest bid on each bid sheet will be declared the winner. Winning bidders will be notified by cell phone and will have until 5:00 p.m. to pay for and collect the item.

There is no cost to participate in the Silent Auction. Exhibitors need only to fill out a simple form found online at http://www.nafainstitute.org/silentauction and agree to donate an item (or items) carrying a minimum value of $100 and maximum value of $500. Revenue from the Silent Auction will go directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to aid their mission of advancing cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment.

Thirty exhibitors took part in last year’s Silent Auction, which included prizes such as Apple iPads, Nintendo Wii game systems, tickets to NASCAR races, HD televisions, GPS systems, netbooks, and various gift certificates. Individuals will be bidding with their own money and not company funds, so exhibitors are encouraged to donate gifts they themselves would be interested in.

For more information contact Gladys Reyes, NAFA Meetings Assistant at either (609) 986-1051 or greyes@nafa.org.