The
schedule seems to indicate that Saturday 8pm is our biggest time for events, but as a side note, Sugarfest is still going by 8pm. We lock down the room at 6 for setup, and open it up again at 7 for Sugar, and usually the line is still going until 8:30 at least (and we STILL had thousands of pixie stix left over when we left Sunday!). And after that, it's cleanup time, which usually involves loud vacuuming.
I believe one of the other reasons we hold the Auction on Sunday is because a lot of people look through the auction items, and decide on one thing they're going to buy, and wait patiently for it to come up. Many people would not have the patience for this if it were during another event which they could be playing at.
I do like your idea of having auction items available for inspection prior to the event, though. As Avie mentioned, however, it's tough finding staff to watch over it. Perhaps, if there is an unused table in the dealer room, we could display some things there, but I'm pretty sure all of the tables were full at DEX. Maybe we could increase knowledge of the event itself, through signs, or word of mouth (especially from the dealers), and adding it to the list of things we mention at Opening Ceremonies. Hopefully some of that will help
