Benefit Objective of the Auction:
The 2009 Auction will raise funds for the AED Foundation’s Professional Education program which includes the construction equipment industry’s only Management Certification. Funds will be used toward making updates and adding to our programs, all to help AED dealers retain great employees and make a positive impact on their bottom line. Please note that every auction item donated as well as every dollar of the winning bid over the actual cost of the item is treated as a contribution to the Foundation. Thanks to our most generous donors and bidders, we raised a net of over $30,000 in Chicago this year. Our 2009 Live Auction goal is to raise $50,000.

The 2009 Live Auction Suggested Guidelines
From our experience last year, these guidelines are suggested to help maximize the bids on your item. Each item should have a minimum value of $2,500.00. Two or more donors may contribute one item. Fine art items need to be of a size and weight to be displayed.

Categories may include the following:

Adventures and Vacations
Each adventure should be unique in some way, be for two or more people and should include a gift card toward airfare. An adventure can have two sponsors. The date of the adventure should be moderately flexible and must be stated if availability is limited in some way.
Tickets to World Class Events
Super Bowl, World Series, Kentucky Derby, Indy 500 or other famous, hard-to- get event tickets or box seats.
Fine Wines and Chef’s Table Dinners
Included are exquisite vintages, aged cognacs and other very special spirits as well as gourmet dinner with a renowned chef or at his "Chef’s Table." A gift certificate may be included toward travel.
Fabulous Jewelry and Watches
Gold or platinum, diamonds or colored stones, all suggested in bracelets, necklaces or earrings as well as fabulous hip & cool watches for either men or women.
Fine Art (paintings and sculpture) and Collectibles
Paintings or prints must be framed and no larger than approximately 2’ x 3’ plus frame. Sculptures and collectibles should be sized for table or desk top.
Cool Electronics and Wheels
Flat screen plasma or LCD Television sets, digital home theaters, DVD recorders. Riding lawn mower, moped, scooter, jet ski, motorcycle or Segway personal transporter.

To maximize the benefit of your sponsorship of an auction item, early submission is recommended. The AED Foundation is now accepting auction items for the January, 2009 Live Auction, and will publicize your gift on the AED Foundation’s website, in CED Magazine and AED News as well as at Executive Forum and in all 2009 Annual Meeting materials.

Your generous support of the AED Foundation Live Auction is very much appreciated. Please contact Carol Schrader at 630-468-5113 for more information.

AED is an international trade association representing companies involved in the distribution, rental and support of equipment used in construction, mining, forestry, power generation, agriculture and industrial applications. AED member dealers are unique in that they are each authorized, via contract with an original equipment manufacturer, to inventory, sell and service new machinery in a given geography. More than 90% of AED's factory authorized dealers rent construction equipment as well. The Associated Equipment Distributors strongly adheres to and strongly advocates principles of integrity, ethics and fairness. The AED urges its members to conduct their businesses ethically and compatibly with the free enterprise system and the laws which govern it. Contractors can locate factory authorized construction equipment dealers at the MachineMart® web site.