About
MEET BETH
I've spent most of my life working on events in one form or another—even if I didn't always know that's where I was headed.
I started working in theater at 15 as a singer and pianist, then moved behind the scenes into arts administration, marketing, and production. Along the way, I co-founded a theater company on a military base in Germany and worked for theaters across the country before eventually landing in nonprofit special events.
Looking back, there's a pretty clear through line. Theater taught me about timing, production, audience experience, and what it takes behind the scenes to make something look effortless out front.
As it turns out, that's pretty good training for an event planner.
When I moved into special events, everything clicked. After five years managing an annual fundraising gala along with dozens of other events, I realized I didn't want another job where events were just one part of what I did. I wanted to do this all the time.
So in 2012, I started Beth Sandefur Events. I initially worked on weddings, corporate events, and fundraisers, but it didn't take long to figure out where I belonged. Once I focused BSE exclusively on fundraising, the business took off.
I've been all fundraising, all the time ever since.
EVENTS AREN’T
FOR EVERYONE.
I GET IT.
Events have a lot of moving pieces, competing priorities, last-minute changes, and moments when you have to make a decision with imperfect information. Some people find that stressful. I thrive in the chaos.
I'm wired for this work. I like a plan. I like a system. And I really like figuring out what needs to happen next when the plan inevitably changes.
Event day is coming whether you're ready or not. Eventually, the doors are going to open, the guests are going to walk in, and you have to roll with whatever happens next. Maybe it's the theater person in me, but I really do believe the show must go on.
FUNDRAISING EVENTS ARE MY WORLD. AUCTIONS ARE MY SPECIALTY.
The more auctions I worked on, the more interested I became in how all the pieces affect one another. What you procure affects who bids. How you package an item affects its value to the guest. How you market it affects who comes prepared to bid. And what happens in the room can tell you a lot more about your donors than just who won.
Today, auctions are a big part of what I do, from helping organizations build and run stronger auctions to tracking the bidder behavior most auction software misses.
I TALK ABOUT EVENTS, TOO.
I've learned a few things along the way—and I like sharing what I’ve learned. I regularly lead workshops and webinars for nonprofit and fundraising-event professionals on auction strategy, event marketing, technology, data, and the practical realities of producing successful fundraising events.
EXPLORE RESOURCES →
OUTSIDE THE BALLROOM
People who only know me professionally are often surprised to learn that I'm an introvert. My work life is loud, busy, and very people-y. My downtime is pretty much the opposite. I'm happiest at home with my two cats, spending time with a small circle of friends, or watching a good documentary.
I love to travel, too, and whenever a work trip allows for an extra day to explore a new city, I'll take it.
NOW TELL ME ABOUT YOU
Enough about me. Tell me about your organization, your event, and where you could use some help.