Provision Quest
Instead of providing distinct morning and afternoon breaks, separated by those agonizing hours with no food at all, Horseshoe Bay Resort in the Texas Hill Country sets up a "general store" full of packaged items -- 100-calorie snack packs, chips, bottled soft drinks, etc. -- that don't get stale and thus can be left out all day. At peak mingling times, the resort brings in baked goods and smoothies. Because this type of break can't be easily patrolled, pricing is on a per-person, rather than consumption, basis. (877) 611-0112; hsbresort.com
Big Things, Small Packages
For an event at One Atlantic, an event space in Atlantic City (609-343-9902; oneatlanticevents.com), Philadelphia-based Beautiful Blooms created a "Box of Blooms," a moss-covered box with a handful of roses inside. The relatively small container made a big splash on tables. The small Box of Love costs $35 and the large box is $90. (215) 925-9300; beautifulblooms.com
Hear Me Now
Meetings held in the bowels of convention centers or during retreats in remote areas often mean terrible cell-phone service for everyone. Bring along a zBoost, a signal amplifier, and calls and data will come in more reliably. Models, which start at $119, are available both for a single cell phone and for creating a roomful of good service. (800) 871-1612; wi-ex.com
Bug Off
When a picnic area or golf course is buggy, hand out these logoable DEET-free wristbands, which protect against mosquitoes for 40 hours. Prices start at $1.79 each for a minimum of 100. The bands are white; other colors are possible for quantities of more than 2,000. Contact Dixie Flynn of Eagle Graphics for information. (800) 628-3676 ext. 129; eagle411.com
Snappy Shots
Give incentive participants a disposable camera or digital memory card (both provided by Fodeo), and ask them to shoot away. When the trip is over, send in the cameras or memory card, and Fodeo will make a photo montage, set to music and branded with your logo. Price: $19 for each package; there's a set-up fee of $40. (708) 579-1360; fodeo.biz
Motormouth
Banish long-windedness by implementing PechaKucha 20x20, a presentation format that requires speakers to limit their PowerPoint to 20 slides and speak about each slide for only one minute. The speedy pace keeps talks interesting. Though some speakers might balk, try it for a breakout session and see what happens. Thanks to John Nawn, founder of Evanston, Ill.-based meeting-design firm The Perfect Meeting (theperfectmeeting.com), for the suggestion. pecha-kucha.org/what
Thanks That Speak Volumes
Employees have desk space for only so many crystal and marble doodads. Consider giving an alternative award: Buy a new book relevant to your business and write an inspiring note to the employee on the title page, then fill the page with signatures from the company executives. The thank-you will seem more heartfelt than a standard award.
Recycled Rewards
Planners who give out lots of gift/award cards might start to feel guilty about all the virgin plastic that's headed for the landfill. These prepaid cards from Carlson Marketing are made from 55 percent recycled plastic and cost just pennies more than regular ones. Until a card comes out that's both fully recycled and recyclable, these are a solid option. Contact Carlson Marketing for pricing information. (763) 445-3000; prepaidimpressions.com
Looking Glass
On the front of each Treasured Block is a translucent photo; on the back, a short etched message visible through the photo. Create a customized 8-inch block using a photo of the recipient or meeting destination; prices start at a reasonable $36.50 and the block will be shipped within three business days. (801) 992-3358; treasuredblocks.com
Ball Bearings
These baseballs are printed with a map of a U.S. city (see website for list). The handmade City Map balls, which come with a gift box and stand, make an appealing gift or award when meeting in one of those spots. Cost, $20 each. Discounts are available on large orders; the company also can make custom-printed baseballs. (800) 556-9420; Bergino.com
Big Change
Coins for Anything custom-makes colorful coins that can be used as gifts, awards or invitations. Consider giving them to high-achievers, to be redeemed for more tangible prizes (e.g., tickets, merchandise) in a sales contest. The coins cost about $3 apiece. (866) 583-5434; coinsforanything.com
Party Mix
Hipster Music has put together a well-curated catalog of songs good for retail environments, some edgy, some tame. Event planners can use the service, too, for party music. Pricing starts at $8 per CD for a minimum of 15 CDs. As always, planners need to pay licensing fees through ASCAP or BMI. The CDs also work well in gift bags. (512) 301-4176; hipstermusic.com