Let’s face it. Event and Meeting Planners are constantly traveling all over the country and sometimes, the world. In our ever constant search for practicality and convenience, gadgets become our best friends. Some make traveling more comfortable. Some help us become safer in new surroundings. And some, well honestly, are just too cool not to have.
With each passing year, a new crop of must-have gadgets hit the marketplace. For the weary traveler, these can often be life-savers. And so, here is a list of 10 new (and not so new) essential gadgets every Event and Meeting Planner should have.
Kensington ComboSaver® Combination Portable Notebook Lock
There is nothing worse than turning around to look for something in your bag or stepping away to get another cup of coffee only to realize that your laptop has gone missing in an instant. Every year, thousands of laptops are stolen from unsuspecting people too preoccupied to realize taht it only took a split second before their valuable electronic lifeline was gone. Whether at an airport, coffee shop or even a conference center, this handy lock attaches to 99% of all laptops and makes it less attractive to a thief looking to make a quick nab.
The 150-Country Travel Converter
No more fumbling about looking for the right converter when traveling abroad or to the Caribbean. This handy and compact travel power converter will automatically detect incoming voltage and convert it so that all of your small appliances will work safely and effortlessly. Best of all, since it works in over 150 different countries, it’s the only converter you’ll need to take with you on your travels.
Gorillamobile Ori for iPad
Hooked on your iPad? Then, this handy gadget is a definite must have. Lightweight and easy to store, the Gorillamobile Ori for iPad provides a comfortable way to view your iPad in a variety of different of ways to suit your need. No longer will you have to keep looking down and straining your neck to view your favorite apps, simply look up and enjoy!
Luxe Complete Support Travel Pillow
Speaking of neck support…Travel pillows are not a new invention for the weary traveler, but how many are made of memory foam, come with a drawstring for a more customized fit AND have a pocket for your mp3 player? It’s the perfect combination for getting sleep on the plane when the passenger next to you snores louder than a lumberjack with a chainsaw.
Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard
Tired of trying to type long emails or texts on your phone’s tiny keypad? This may be the solution. Like something out of a sci-fi movie, the Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard will project a full-sized QWERTY keyboard in just about any flat surface. Best of all, this space age gadget is only 3.5 inches tall!
Smart Card Case
With all the recent talk about the vulnerability of smart-chips in credit and ID cards, even while in your pocket, one safeguard is to protect them using a stainless steel case. This handy Smart Card Case is stylish and practical, holding up to five credit cards and designed to easily access your cards with the flick of a thumb. You can even have it custom engraved for a truly personal touch.
Travelite Luggage Scale
Ever gotten to the airline check-in terminal with your bags only to realize that you’re over the weight limit? Do you pay the extra surcharge or frantically transfer things out of one bag into another? With the ever rising costs of baggage charges, this gadget certainly pays for itself many times over. Simply attach your bag to the T-bar scale and a digital readout along with a green LED light lets you know if you’re under the standard 50lb weight limit. Lightweight and compact, take it with you and you’ll know how much space you have left for souvenirs too.
Soundmatters Speaker System
Sure, this portable speaker system can provide high-sound quality to listen to your favorite tunes off your phone or mp3 player when you’re away from home but it is so much more than that. It also features built in microphones to allow for hands-free conversations, making it ideal for conference calls. Another great benefit of this system is that it allows any Bluetooth enabled device such as iPods, cellphones and laptops to connect wirelessly so you don’t have to worry about carrying around yet another set of cables.
Reef Stash 2 Sandals
So you’re traveling alone, decide you want to go to the pool but feeling nervous about leaving your room key and money on the pool deck while you get into the water? Fear not. Reef’s Stash 2 Sandal is the perfect solution. Available for both men and women, this clever sandal has a built-in “secret” compartment to discreetly store and protect your valuables. More stylish than a money belt, these sandals are also the perfect accessory when traveling in an unfamiliar city or area.
AirPort Express
Those familiar with Apple products may know the Airport Express as a handy home network gadget. However, its compact size also makes it ideal for use on the road. Simply connect your hotel room’s blue Ethernet cable to the 3.7 inch box and voila, you have a private Wi-Fi domain. Now your laptop, tablet and Wi-Fi capable entertainment devices are all connected. Need to have a spur of the moment meeting with co-workers? No worries. Up to 10 users can connect at one time, creating a business center in an instant.
If you have any experience with these or any other handy-dandy travel gadgets you can’t live without, share them with us!
Tags: Coffee Shop, Constant Search, Country Travel, Cup Of Coffee, Hammacher, Html Nbsp, Kensington, Life Savers, Lifeline, Meeting Planner, Meeting Planners, Must Have Gadgets, Nab, Ori, Power Converter, Practicality, Rsquo, Small Appliances, Travel Converter, Weary Traveler
Meeting planners that are looking for ways to find cost-effective meeting locations are often under a lot of pressure. After all, the boss probably wants an unreasonable number of people to be hosted in a large area for a price that is entirely unreasonable by most standards. There are a few options, however, and these options are perfect for meeting planners with bosses that happen to be a little too frugal.
Consider local parks – Many local parks have shaded areas that are both scenic and free! The lawn chairs might be expensive, and make the meeting less than formal, but it would be hard to beat the local park for a location that is both affordable and unique.
Movie theaters – Believe it or not, many movie theaters offer weekday morning access to their theaters for a fairly reasonable price. Deposits tend to be a little on the high side if the projection equipment will be used, but you can generally get it back immediately after the projection equipment is inspected.
Libraries – Many public libraries also have small conference rooms that range from free to very affordable, but you will have to keep the noise down.
Coffee shops – If the meeting or event is not going to be packed with secret information, a local coffee shop or restaurant can be an affordable location and makes choosing a catering service much easier!
Tags: Boss, Catering Service, Coffee Shop, Coffee Shops, Cost Effective, Effective Meeting, Lawn Chairs, Local Park, Meeting Planners, Movie Theaters, Noise Down, Projection Equipment, Public Libraries, Secret Information, Shaded Areas, Unreasonable Number, Weekday Morning
Corporate Meeting Planner Resources