Exhibitors Win in More Ways Than One at Silent Auction, Draw Down

By combining its Silent Auction and Draw Down in the exhibit hall July 23 during Annual Meeting, MAFP raised interest in the events, increased attendance, and raised a total of $31,425 for the Foundation.

The exhibit hall is the hub of activity during the Annual Meeting and rearranging it to create an open area in the ballroom brought lots of people in to watch the Draw Down and bid on the more than 100 total Silent Auction items displayed on tables, easels and panels in front of the Draw Down stage.

The event was held Tuesday before the Annual Dinner and featured beverages and food to whet physicians’ and exhibitors’ appetites for bidding high. The congenial

Exhibitors embraced the events by donating and bidding on Silent Auction items, and 33 percent went the extra mile by purchasing Draw Down tickets to support MAFP. One exhibitor, Lee Jenkins, was one of the lucky Draw Down winners. atmosphere led to friendly competition between auction bidders.

The Draw Down took about an hour, during which each of the tickets were drawn out until there were only four left in the barrel. At the end, the owners of the final cards chose to split the $10,000 evenly. Winners were exhibitor Lee Jenkins of the Brain Injury Association, and Drs. Carlos Latorre of Vicksburg, Sheree Melton of Jackson, and Katie Patterson of Indianola.

The result of the Draw Down was 204 tickets sold (the most sold since 2014) and $24,275 in gross revenue for the MAFP Foundation.

The Silent Auction raised a total of $7,184. The items raising the most money were: an original oil painting donated by MAFP member Dr. Charles Guess, followed by separate weekend getaway packages at Pearl River Resort in Choctaw and Sandestin Resort in Florida.

Draw Down winners splitting $10,000 were Lee Rushing, Dr. Sharee Melton, Dr. Carlos Latorre and Dr. Katie Patterson.

Draw Down winners splitting $10,000 were Lee Rushing, Dr. Sharee Melton, Dr. Carlos Latorre and Dr. Katie Patterson.