Offering regional and national programs, CIO (and CSO) events bring together some of the most respected names and thought leaders in information technology and security. Presented by CIOs and other senior level executives, these invitation-only programs offer timely topics and strong networking. Learn More »

CIO Executive Council

A Peer-Advisory Service and Professional Association for CIOs

Mid-Market CIO Panel: Tips and Techniques for Improving Vendor Relationships

July 15, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM U.S./Eastern (GMT-4)

We'll highlight relationship priorities and best practices identified in a Council study, and we'll interact with a CIO panel on the approaches they've used to improve strategic vendor partnerships.

Secrets of Successful Vendor Contract Negotiations for the Mid-Market

Sept. 10, 2009, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM U.S./Eastern (GMT-4)

On this free public Council teleconference, Matthew A. Karlyn, attorney at Foley & Lardner in Boston, will share tips on negotiating tactics and new, creative contract terms to help mid-market CIOs make better deals.

Executive Competencies Assessment Tool

Assess Your Business Leadership Skills with the Council's new benchmarking tool. Rate yourself in change leadership, strategy, customer focus and more.

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Trendline

Holiday Gift Guide 2007: Best Technology Bling

Five fabulous gifts for the tech lover in your life...even if that's you!

Solve Your Power Charger Problem

Enraged by that tangled mess of power charger cords in your briefcase? Callpod has simplified it all in a hub ideal for travelers. The Chargepod uses only one outlet for charging six gadgets, such as popular-brand cell phones, MP3 players, iPods, BlackBerrys, Bluetooth devices and more. Weighing only 1 ounce, the device comes with a carrying pouch. $100.

Oakley O ROKR PRO

Looking Good

Walk the walk, talk the talk and look the part in these sporty shades. Motorola and Oakley have teamed up to create O ROKR PRO Bluetooth Stereo Eyewear—sunglasses that connect you (wirelessly, of course) to your mobile phone and Bluetooth-enabled music player. Built with adjustable speakers for each ear and boasting smudge-resistant lenses, these specs promise protection from harmful rays, and up to 100 hours of standby time. $249.

Swarovski USB Drive

"Mr. Flash Drive, I Presume"

Its name is Key. IronKey. And it's the world's most secure flash drive. Designed so you can safely browse the Web and transport data, this James Bond-worthy flash drive also protects against phishing and pharming attacks, ID theft and keystroke loggers. Forgot your password? You've got 10 consecutive tries before—yup, you guessed it—the device (internally) self-destructs, wiping everything on its drive clean as a whistle. $79-$149. If more glam is what you seek, check out Swarovski's crystal-encrusted USB Memory Key. $178.

TomTom ONE

One Smart GPS

Everybody hates traffic, but now you can say goodbye to all that gridlock thanks to your new best friend, TomTom. The company's ONE 3rd Edition GPS Portable Navigation System comes with real-time traffic and weather information and allows you to choose your route—the quickest, the shortest, the most scenic or the toll-free. The wallet-size device features a 3.5-inch, anti-glare touch screen. $250.

Palm Centro

Palm's Smallest Smartphone: Centro

Still not willing to dish out the cash for Apple's iPhone? Palm's wallet-friendly alternative—the Centro smartphone—sells for a mere $99 with a new contract from Sprint. Centro is Palm's smallest handheld—measuring just over 4 inches in length and weighing 4 ounces. It comes equipped with a full keyboard, AIM and text-messaging capabilities, and speedy Internet for Web searches. $99.