Big Squeeze
Thinking Putty is like Silly Putty with special chemical properties. One formulation changes color when it heats up (and the company can match your company colors), another formulation can be magnetized and a third glows in the dark. The putty is packaged in a tin with a custom four-color label, making it useful as trade-show giveaways or promotional gifts. It also could be given as a stress-relieving squeeze ball at a company retreat. Available in three sizes; cost per unit, $4-$6. (866) 578-2845; puttyforpromos.com
Charitable Interests
For speaker gifts, employee or client thank-yous, or any other gifting opportunity, a charitable donation is generally an appropriate and respectful way to go. Charity Checks can be customized with a company logo; then recipients get to pick their favorite charities, a process which might convince them to donate some of their own money, too. Best of all, there is no fee for the checks themselves; 100 percent of your money goes to charity. (800) 854-5601; charitychecks.us
Found Art
For an eco-friendly event at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, PRA Destination Management San Francisco turned trash into treasure. Green glass bottles were lit from behind, casting a green glow over the proceedings. Still more bottles were lined up to create a modern tulip vase. And naturally fallen Manzanita branches, artfully placed, became a wondrous decoration of their own. (415) 397-6300; pra.com
Gadget Gear
The outer shell of ScotteVest clothing becomes transparent when light shines through, which lets its wearers see and control their MP3 player, cell phone and other personal electronic devices through the fabric. The new three-layer Soft Shell Jacket ($175) has 19 pockets, some of them quite capacious. The jacket is waterproof, windproof and comes in unisex sizes XS-XXXL. (866) 909-8378; scottevest.com
Saving Soles
Anyone who's ever schlepped around a trade show floor or an airport in heels will appreciate the spur-of-the-moment comfort these cute, foldable ballet flats provide. The shoes, available in a number of colors, are easily stashed in a small purse or tote. Cost: $25. (646) 827-0518; footzyrolls.com
Sundries to Go
These clear acrylic cylinders are made up of five screw-top containers, perfect for stashing pills, vitamins, safety pins, etc., while in transit. Cost: $3.50. (800) 447-6662; momastore.org
Sound Bites
These diminutive, 4-inch-tall speakers are easily stashed in carry-on luggage but provide sound powerful enough to play audio clips for presentations. Cost: $29.95. (877) 276-4629; grandmax.com
Get a Leg Up
Make economy travel a little more bearable with this portable
footrest from Magellan's. The foldable device gives feet and legs a
four-inch boost from the cabin floor. Cost: $24.85. (800) 962-4943;
magellans.com
This Dock Rocks
The Kensington Nightstand Charging Dock transforms an iPhone into a bedside alarm clock via a free downloadable application; it also charges the phone while you sleep. Cost: $39.95. (650) 572-2700; us.kensington.com
Light Reading
Leave that hefty novel behind. Nook, one of the newest eBook readers, can store up to 1,500 volumes in its slim confines. Features include a color screen and access to Barnes & Noble's 500,000 free eBook titles. Cost: $259. barnesandnoble.com
Clean Comedy
When most people think of stand-up comedy, they imagine foul-mouthed entertainers. Yet many comics are perfectly appropriate for the buttoned-down set and can inject a nyuk or two into a serious day. For example, Shaun Eli, a comedian based in New York City, has an entire one-man show about the funny side of business. Just make sure to vet any comedian carefully (viewing his/her routine during a live performance or video) to make sure the jokes won't offend anyone -- and follow Mr. Eli's advice on hiring a comedian, posted on his website: brainchampagne.com.
Doodle Device
Even casual viewers of football broadcasts will recognize the telestrator, the electronic pen that commentators use. Now a similar device is available for presentations: Papershow allows virtual drawing on top of PowerPoint presentations or on a blank screen. It also works well for annotating seating charts and room configurations. Cost, $200. (617) 226-7187; www.papershow.com