Tornado Damage a Concern for TechBridge Gala
John Manasso
March 28, 2008

Damage suffered by the Georgia World Congress Center in March 14’s tornado isn’t just impacting conventional business.

For example, the nonprofit group TechBridge, which assists other nonprofits in the use of technology, plans to have its annual gala there on May 10. TechBridge hopes to exceed 2007’s record total of $1.1 million raised.

The nonprofit is hoping to hold the event at the World Congress Center, but it is also planning for contingencies for its 1,150 guests.

“We would probably try to find an alternate location,” said Carrie Bates, the organization’s director of corporate relations, if the World Congress Center is unable to accommodate the event. “We’ve done a lot of due diligence.”

Part of the event’s attraction – and the need for space as large as the World Congress Center offers – is the entertainment. Last year, TechBridge had a horse ring and white stallions performing for its guests.

“We have very creative entertainment,” Bates said. “It takes up a very large footprint.”

Alas, that would be one of the challenges of finding a new venue – the amount of space necessary for an equine-like show. Bates would not reveal what the entertainment is this year but said the theme is “revolution”.

“We link it back to our mission”, she said. “It’s about embracing possibility: What companies and people can do when they get back together and the amazing things nonprofits are doing.”

Because TechBridge’s core mission involves technology, it attracts some heavy hitters in the corporate world in terms of both companies and individuals.

The event has 94 sponsors with the presenting sponsor being Accenture. The following companies pledged at the $30,000 level: AirTran Holdings Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., The Coca-Cola Co., International Business Machines Corp., SAP AG, The Home Depot Inc., The Garrett Group LLC, and TechLINKS.

In all, TechBridge expects the chief information officers of 42 companies to attend, including those of Coca-Cola, Atlanta Gas Light Co., Home Depot and United Parcel Service Inc.

Besides its sponsorship, AirTran also will make another large donation. The company is donating two business class tickets for use anywhere in the United States at each of the 115 tables. AirTran values each ticket at $750, but bidding begins at $400.

If those tickets receive only the opening bid, the gift would be worth $92,000. If they fetch that $750 face value, that would increase to more than $170,000.

TechBridge also will give out technology innovation awards. More than 30 nonprofit applied, the most since 2003. The organization will publish the finalists on April 11.