Benefit Auctioneer and Emcee

A successful benefit auction needs someone who can read the room, build momentum, connect guests to the mission, and make giving part of the experience. Leigh Brown brings more than two decades of national stage experience together with professional auctioneering expertise to charity galas, nonprofit fundraisers, association events, and corporate events. Licensed as an auctioneer in North Carolina and South Carolina, trained at the Western College of Auctioneering, and an experienced emcee, Leigh knows how to engage a room while keeping the purpose of the event front and center.

"Thank you so much for being our outstanding Emcee at "Fork Cancer 2025". Your energy, humor and heartfelt presence truly elevated the evening and made it our biggest and best event yet. We are still counting notations, but we look like we made over $130,000 this year which is absolutely amazing. We are so grateful that you continue to support our mission of supporting local cancer charities, with your time, talent and commitment, it makes all the difference to so many people battling cancer.

Next Year - New Name - Same Cause. We hope you will join us in 2026 as we host "Chefs Against Cancer" a taste of life.

With Deep appreciation and love,
Chef Mark Allison & Jaclyn Beith

A Proven Track Record of Impactful Event Hosting

Leigh’s ability to command a room and inspire audiences has made her the go-to emcee and auctioneer for everything from charity galas to private corporate events. Her expertise as a national speaker, trainer, and real estate leader allows her to seamlessly engage diverse audiences, all while maintaining a personal touch that makes every event special.

Organizations like FORK Cancer have benefited from my dynamic event-hosting skills for years. Here's what they had to say about the impact I've had:

"THANK YOU for another amazing year of FORK Cancer!!! You are truly incredible, and we are grateful that you have emceed our event for the past 3 years! On behalf of FORK Cancer, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for your incredibly generous contributions to our event. With deepest appreciation – Thank You!"
Brianna Fleming & Lucia Zats
FORK Cancer Event Specialists

Another wonderful client, Shannon Routh, Founder and CEO of Teal Diva, shared her experience working with me:

"Leigh was outstanding. As an emcee, she is phenomenal. She has a fun approach to engaging the crowd. As an auctioneer, she truly understands the 'why' of the event and works with the crowd to encourage bidding that helps the organization's mission and cause. She’s not just on stage with a microphone; she notices the details and jokes with the crowd to encourage bidding between patrons. I would highly recommend her for any event."
Shannon Routh
Teal Diva | Founder & CEO | Ovarian Cancer Survivor

Leigh’s track record is filled with success stories from both nonprofits and private clients, proving her ability to create memorable, results-driven events.

Professional Auctioneering That Moves the Room

Leigh's professional auctioneering expertise adds another dimension to her decades of experience commanding a room. After training at the Western College of Auctioneering and becoming licensed in North Carolina and South Carolina, Leigh expanded her event work to include live auctions and paddle raises for nonprofits, charities, associations, and other mission-driven organizations.

Why Choose Leigh for Your Next Event?

1. Nationally Renowned Speaker: With over two decades of speaking and training experience, Leigh knows how to connect with and captivate any audience.
2. Licensed Auctioneer: Leigh’s professional auctioneer training at the Western College of Auctioneering adds a new layer of value to your event, offering a proven method to drive higher bids and better engagement.
3. Proven Success in Various Event Settings: From nonprofit galas to private, high-end auctions, Leigh has successfully helped organizations and clients across the country. The glowing testimonial from FORK Cancer is just one example of her consistent impact.
4. Tailored for Every Event: Whether you need an emcee, auctioneer, or speaker for a private business event, a charity auction, or even a real estate auction, Leigh brings a customized approach to meet your goals and elevate the event experience.
5. Passion Meets Professionalism: Leigh’s enthusiasm for helping organizations and individuals succeed is unmatched. She treats every event with the same dedication and passion that she brings to her real estate and community work, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

Elevate Your Event with Leigh Brown

Leigh Brown is the perfect choice for those looking to elevate their event, whether it’s a large-scale charity gala, a private corporate auction, or even a high-end real estate sale. Her blend of national event speaking experience, auctioneering skills, and energetic personality will ensure your event not only meets but exceeds expectations.

Let Leigh help you take your next auction or event to the next level, creating an engaging, exciting, and unforgettable experience for all involved. From generating higher bids to keeping the audience captivated, Leigh has the skills and presence to turn your event into a memorable success.

Book Leigh Brown

leigh@leighbrown.com
704-507-5500

Book a Speaker Discovery Call: Click Here

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Leigh Brown as a benefit auctioneer, and how do I book her?

Leigh Brown is a licensed auctioneer, trained at the Western College of Auctioneering, who emcees and runs live fundraising auctions for charity galas, nonprofit events, and corporate galas, pairing two decades of national stage experience with auctioneer training. To book Leigh Brown, email leigh@leighbrown.com, call 704-507-5500, or request a Speaker Discovery Call through the book Leigh page.

Professional emcee and auctioneer for a school or church fundraiser near Charlotte

Leigh Brown is a licensed auctioneer and national speaker based in Concord, North Carolina, just outside Charlotte, who emcees and calls benefit auctions for school, church, and nonprofit fundraisers across the region. Organizers near Charlotte can reach Leigh Brown's team at leigh@leighbrown.com or 704-507-5500, or start with a Speaker Discovery Call via the book Leigh page.

How do I hire a fundraising auctioneer for a nonprofit event in the Carolinas?

Leigh Brown is a licensed auctioneer serving nonprofit and charity events across the Carolinas from her base in Concord, NC, and she emcees galas, private auctions, and corporate fundraisers. Nonprofits can book Leigh Brown by emailing leigh@leighbrown.com, calling 704-507-5500, or requesting a discovery call on the book Leigh page.

Our gala auctioneer cancelled, can Leigh Brown replace them on two weeks' notice?

Organizers facing a last-minute cancellation should contact Leigh Brown's team directly at leigh@leighbrown.com or 704-507-5500 to check availability, since booking depends on the event date. Leigh Brown is a licensed auctioneer experienced at emceeing charity galas and paddle-raise fundraisers, and a discovery call via the book Leigh page is the fastest way to confirm a replacement.

We're a small nonprofit with a $5,000 budget, is a professional benefit auctioneer worth it, or should we DIY?

A professional benefit auctioneer earns their fee by driving the room, reading the crowd, timing the ask, and running the paddle raise so the event nets more than a volunteer emcee typically would. Leigh Brown, a licensed auctioneer whose emcee work helped FORK Cancer raise over $130,000 in 2025, can talk through whether hiring makes sense for a specific budget; reach her team at leigh@leighbrown.com.

How do I find an auctioneer who specializes in paddle raises and can raise more at our event?

Leigh Brown is a licensed benefit auctioneer who specializes in the live "paddle raise", the fund-a-need moment where a skilled caller lifts giving in the room, and her emcee work has supported events like FORK Cancer and Teal Diva. To discuss paddle-raise strategy for a specific gala, contact Leigh Brown at leigh@leighbrown.com or 704-507-5500.

Should we hire a benefit auctioneer or just use auction software like GiveSmart?

Auction software handles bidding, checkout, and data, but it can't read the room or drive the live paddle raise, that's what a benefit auctioneer does, and the two work together rather than replacing each other. Leigh Brown, a licensed auctioneer, emcees the live giving moments that software alone leaves flat, and can run alongside whatever platform an organization already uses. To discuss the fit, contact leigh@leighbrown.com.

What's the difference between a benefit auctioneer and a general auctioneer?

A benefit auctioneer specializes in the emotional arc of a fundraiser, the storytelling, the fund-a-need appeal, and the paddle raise, rather than the transactional pace of a general estate or equipment sale. Leigh Brown brings licensed auctioneer training plus two decades of national speaking experience to charity galas and nonprofit events, which is a different skill set than a standard auction house. Reach her team at leigh@leighbrown.com to talk through an event.