Super Cloth
Trekr is a nylon washcloth that doesn't need to be laundered and dries in 15 minutes. It's perfect for freshening up after golfing, hiking or tennis. A single Trekr costs $4. With a minimum of 500 cloths, the packaging can be customized. With a minimum of 7,000, the cloths themselves can be logoed; at that quantity, the cost is $2 each. (858) 653-0401; lunatecgear.com
Carry-All
The Aquabag holds a bottle of water plus a bunch of little things, e.g., passports, room keys, credit cards. It would be especially useful for excursions from a hotel or cruise ship. The bags, available in three colors, cost $29.99 and can be logoed. myaquabag.com
Bottle Saver
Little is more frustrating than picking up your luggage and finding everything soaked in wine from a broken bottle. One inexpensive way of preventing that is storing wine in the Jet Bag, an absorbent, zip-seal bag that protects a 750 ml bottle and absorbs all the liquid if it does break. A three-pack of Jet Bags costs $15. (248) 891-8939; thejetbag.com
Time to Sweat
A wellness-minded company should consider giving out the FitKitTravel. It comes with a resistance tube and band, stability attachment, jump rope and pedometer, plus online access to suggested exercises for staying in shape while on the road. FitKitTravel costs $29.99 individually. Bulk discounts are available, and the product can be logoed. (877) 348-5487; fitkit.com
Everything Bag
Julie Gallegos designed the stylish WhatchyaGot bag for traveling with medication, but it also works well as a petite carry-on. It has lots of elastic straps and compartments, plus an insulated cooler compartment. The bags retail for $59.97. (801) 810-5587; whatchyagotbags.com
Gold Rush
If you're planning a big meeting next summer, consider drawing in an Olympics theme. With its program "Dreams of Gold," Chicago Sports & Entertainment Partners will bring in Olympic heroes such as Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Joey Cheek to speak and lead team-building activities. Cost, from $5,000, plus travel expenses. (603) 903-0000; chicagosep.com
Plane, Not Plain
To remedy those often disappointing box lunches on departure day, the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix (602-954-2527; arizonabiltmore.com) sets up a gourmet lunch-box buffet. Before attendees leave, they pack their own lunch from the offerings, which include packaged sandwiches, salads, snacks, desserts and drinks. Pricing is per person, based on the offerings.
Foods Less Taken
Some foods, such as shrimp, chicken, sushi and lamb chops, are quickly devoured. Others will be eaten with more restraint. Suzette Eaddy, CMP, director of conferences for the National Minority Supplier Development Council Inc. (nmsdc.org), adds at least one less popular food to the buffet table to ensure that latecomers will have something to eat. Her suggestions for less loved (but still tasty and nutritious) items include fruit and cheese, grilled vegetables and Mediterranean salads.
Homeward Bound
On Call International specializes in medical evacuation; however, in today's world of earthquakes and political unrest, it might be wise to subscribe to the company's Political and Natural Disaster Evacuation membership. Covered attendees will be evacuated to the nearest safe haven and flown home in the event of trouble. Contact the firm for information and costs. (800) 575-5014; oncallinternational.com
All Thumbs?
As we type more and more e-mails and text messages on our portable devices, our fingers get more and more strained. This Bluetooth keyboard, therefore, should come as a welcome relief. Users can type quickly and with both hands instead of hunting and pecking, and it folds down to the size of a deck of cards for transport. Note that this model is specifically for the iPhone and iPad. The Verbatim Wireless Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard retails at $79.99. Buy one here for less. verbatim.com
Whisker Fixer
Gentleman's Tonic, a renowned London barbershop company, sells its manly products to all. A shaving gift set, which includes a cleanser, shave cream and aftershave cream, costs $81. A version formulated for dry or sensitive skin is available for the same price. gentlemanstonic.com
Seaweed - Gift From the Sea
Voya products, made from seaweed harvested off the coast of Ireland, are used at the exclusive K Spa at Ireland's K Club (kclub.ie), among others. The scent and packaging have a unisex appeal, and the products can be gifted at any meeting or venue. The Body Gift Set ($48) contains Softly Does It body cream and Squeaky Clean body wash. (Note that these bottles are too large to be taken on airplanes.) (011) 353-71-916-8956; voya.ie