The Chattanooga Technology Council (ChaTech) is hosting its seventh annual CxO Auction on Thursday at Stratton Hall. The event will begin with a VIP reception from 5–6 p.m., followed by a dinner and auction from 6–8:30 p.m.
The CxO Auction is a unique party to raise funds for ChaTech programs. The event combines a fun
dinner with the opportunity for technology service providers, hardware/software vendors, and consultants to bid for two-hour meetings with one of seven technology leaders, or CxOs, from the area.
The CxOs are tech leaders including chief information officers, chief information security officers, and other CSuite decision-makers. Representing some of the area’s largest companies and employers, the CxO’s are key consumers of tech-related products and services.
This year’s IT leaders on the auction block include:
• Jennifer Butler, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
• Lynda Fleury, Unum
• Knut Hilles, Volkswagen Chattanooga
• Nick Lane, CBL Properties
• Dave McCahan, EPB
• Steve Meller, Unum
• Brent Messer, City of Chattanooga
There will be a full house of ChaTech members, contributors, sponsors, and other supporters, including the CxOs themselves. Internet Technology (IT) vendors and professionals will bid on coveted 2-hour meetings to gain B2C or B2B expertise from these local technology leaders, and the bidding can get competitive for this meeting time.
Companies may bid individually or in partnership with other companies, and they may bid on as many CxOs as they like. The individual receiving the highest bid is crowned The Big Cheese. Proceeds benefit programs and services including coding camps for youth, scholarships for college students in IT majors, and educational programs for professionals.
The evening will be capped off with a paddle raise to garner funds to support ChaTech’s scholarship programs.
ChaTech serves the Chattanooga area by connecting the regional technology community, investing in the region’s technology workforce and talent, promoting Chattanooga as a top technology hub, and by helping grow the regional economy. It is a membership-supported agency.