Do we hear $500? Sold!

Forget cars, cattle and condos.

The Tampa Bay Technology Forum has an even better idea for an auction.

The forum, which promotes Tampa's technology businesses and industry, will auction off five senior technology executives and one CEO from the region's most prominent companies and organizations at an upcoming event. Winners, with bids that start at $500, will get a one-on-one night out with an executive, where no question or topic will be off limits.

“It's a fun event,” says Brian Murphy, CEO of Tampa-based IT security consulting firm ReliaQuest and a TBTF board member who will be the auctioneer. “But it's also something to help us engage with people in the community.”

The six executives up for bid are: Jabil Chief Information Officer Gary Cantrell; Bloomin' Brands Vice President of IT Applications Chris Demery; Wellcare CIO Mark Lantzy; Tampa General Hospital CIO Balaji Ramadoss; Tech Data CIO John Tonnison; and Valpak CEO Michael Vivio.

This is the first time the forum will hold a live executive auction, says TBTF President and CEO Heather Kenyon. The proceeds, adds Kenyon, will go to a general TBTF awareness fund and other pro-technology causes the organization supports.

The event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, at Mangroves on South Howard Avenue. Tickets for members are $35; non-members are $50. For more information visit tbtf.org or call 813-341-8283.