In spite of all the dieting that's going around, Mancini insists gala guests still want a gorgeous dessert. "They don't eat all of it, but they want it just the same," he says. Also, the list of vegetarians, vegans or guests with severe food allergies seems to be increasing. The menu committee needs to pay special attention to where these guests are seated and make sure they're served the meals they require.

Going, Going, Gone

The silent and/or live auction is an integral part of the Sarasota charity event, day or night. But it's a challenge to get and keep the attention of rowdy guests, who sit through a stream of similar events every season. Jimmy Dean, SARASOTA's publisher and the town's best-known volunteer auctioneer, says the secret is keeping an auction short and sweet. "There should be ideally, no more than 12 items," he says, "and nothing during dinner. That's when guests want to talk to one another." He notes, however, that the average number of live auction items is usually closer to 25.

"Doing a live auction between the entrée and dessert at a luncheon event is a disaster," warns Mancini. "People leave long before the dessert ever arrives." And party photographer Rebecca Baxter advises auction committee members to "make sure you have a quality sound system and big screens to show off the auction items as eye candy."

For power charity auctions, it's hard to improve upon the formula refined by the Sarasota Family YMCA, which raised upwards of $600,000 with its 2004 Going for the Gold event. "It's a long, long auction night but people know that's what they are there for and it always works," says Dean. "There's such electricity in the crowd and the cause is compelling." And staging the dinner auction in the Y facility underlines the cause and adds to the excitement and fun.

Private school auctions continue to gain in status as they polish their events and target their audiences. "They tug at your heartstrings," observes Betty Sandhagen. "I still have a lizard I bought at one." Items such as class-made quilts or babysitting services from the head coach are generally winners. New Gate School's auction evening and the Out-of-Door Extravaganza are the ones to emulate to provide a good time for guests while earning big bucks for school improvement projects and scholarships.

Trends of Tomorrow

Sarasota is beginning to embrace the "after party" phenomenon, such as the one at the Ritz-Carlton after the UnGala, the rowdy assembly after regularly scheduled Film Festival events (Steven Tyler of Aerosmith showed up and played two years ago), and this year's new Mistletoe Ball post-event at Michael's On East. These exuberant affairs don't kick in until 11:30 p.m. and can carry on until dawn. Some feature breakfast fare, and they're mainly for the young and intrepid.

Mancini notes another trend among young people. "They want a cheaper ticket, say $25, which gets them a live band, cash bar and a nice place to dance and socialize," observes the caterer. "Food is optional. There are plenty of young partygoers in Sarasota who want to socialize differently from the older age group, and we need to tap into that crowd."

Sally Schule agrees. "We already have enough black-tie events. Some of our restaurateurs, such as Paul Mattison and Jaymie Barrie at Pattigeorge's, have stepped up with creative new events; and more are going to do likewise."

And Mary Lou Wingerter concludes, "There is a whole group of smart young professional people who have been serving on committees and are ready to take on the chairmanship of some events. The list of chairs and committees on invitations is going to change as these new leaders announce they're ready to take charge."

Thanks to our panel:

Rebecca Baxter, photographer

Jimmy Dean, publisher, SARASOTA

Phil Mancini, co-owner, Michael's On East Catering

Betty Sandhagen, fFrequent chair and committee member

Sally Schule, assistant general manager, Saks Fifth Avenue Sarasota

Jocelyn Stevens, director of promotions, SARASOTA

Margarete VanAntwerpen, frequent chair and committee member

Mary Lou Wingerter, vice president for events, New College Foundation