This year's Tech Jam is presented by:

Tampa Bay Tech Jam, TBTF’s annual membership party, dubbed “A Summer Party with a Purpose,” raises funds for the TBTF Foundation through sponsorships, ticket sales and a silent auction. Every year, Tech Jam features a headlining band, cocktails, dancing, great food and excellent company to network with in a unique setting unlike a typical business card swap event.

This year, Tech Jam is Rockin' It Old School with a Battle of the Bands on August 26 at the Ritz Ybor. That’s right, back by popular demand is Battle of the Bands. Four bands have been selected to battle it out for the ultimate bragging rights as the top band at this year's event. Each band will be given a 20-minute set to win over the crowd and get votes. Bands can also "raise" votes before the event. 

The bands selected to battle it out this year are:

• Brian Chris Band - Hailed as “one break away from making big” Brian Chris is an all original band from Tampa. They have played at St. Pete Times Forum and opened for Blue Oyster Cult. Their new CD “Everything You Need” was released in July 2010. You can check them out here. Band members include Brian Chris on vocals, Charles Morrongiello on guitar, Greg Furtek on bass and Gary Gagne on drums.
  
• Low Expectations - This band believes life is better with Low Expectations! Band members are from member company PBS&J. They like to jam on the weekends and only play a few select gigs a year including charity events and the occasional H.O.A. Party. So we are glad they picked Tech Jam to be one of their 2010 performances! Band members include Scott Taylor on guitar and vocals; Doug Homan on bass, guitar and vocals; Gilly Gilliland on guitar and bass and Micky Williams on drums.
  
• Pitbull Toddler - This band’s mission is to “melt faces at each and every show we play!” Band members consist of TBTF member company Cox Media Group employees otherwise know as the “Cowhead Show” on 102.5 The Bone during afternoon drive time.  Pitbull Toddler plays numerous charity events. Check out their Facebook fan page here. Band members include Mike "Cowhead" Calta on bass, Greg "Galvin" on drums, John Brennan on guitar, "Magoo" Murphy on vocals and Pete Larios on guitar.
  
• The Party Sharks - What happens when you mix musicians from a telecommunications company and a financial powerhouse? You get The Party Sharks of course. This band knows how to party and can be seen around Tampa Bay rockin it old school. Band members are from TBTF member companies Telovations and Raymond James & Associates and include Bill Kebler on vocals, Adam Shelton on guitars and vocals, Mark Swanson on keyboards and vocals, Dale Parker on drums, Scott McKay on guitars and bass and Tory McRitchie on bass and guitars.

The Battle of the Bands competition will take place, plus an evening of drinks, dinner, and a silent auction - all to support a worthy cause. This year's Tech Jam is presented by Verizon and sponsors include Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bright House Business Solutions, Veredus, Nielsen, Ciber, Raymond James Financial, Bayshore Technologies, Genesis Direct, Peak 10, Roger West Creative and Code, LimeLight Photography, En Fuego Studios, Numara Software, The Judge Group, PBS&J, Telovations, Citrix and AVI-SPL. Sponsorships are still available, contact Amy Norman at anorman@tbtf.org or download the 2010 Sponsorship Package. For event information call 813-341-8283.

To register please go to www.TampaBayTechJam.com!

In 2008, TBTF had its biggest Tech Jam in history, setting a record for both attendance and money raised. More than 1,000 attended and more than $100,000 was collected for the Foundation, which provides scholarships for underserved youth pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) as well as career training and computer labs at area Boys & Girls Clubs. Ken Block and Drew Copeland from the double platinum-selling band Sister Hazel also performed.