I'm going to a conference in Prague at the end of the month. The local conference organizer has been wonderful -- dealing with changes (new hotel had to be selected after we all registered), participants from around the world wiring registration costs, and much more.

It seems like a lot has gone wrong and she's been helpful and of exceptional good cheer when dealing with me via many emails.

I'd like to bring her a gift to thank her for all she's done. I've never been very good at selecting hostess gifts, especially for someone I've never met who lives "across the pond". Any ideas?

Bring her something from the region in the US you are from; particular food items like maple syrup, strawberry preserves, Orville R. popocorn, starbucks coffee, a coffee cup with a nice phrase, 2006 photo calendar from your state, US/State travel book, even a (Yankee) Candle gift seems appropriate. A nice box with small items like that would probably be a hit; a word of warning; don't wrap anything.

Thats excellent advice, I'm canadian so I always bring Maple leafs trimmed in gold or maple syrop or icewine, especially in japon I bring smoked altlantic salmon from Canada. Bring something they couldn't get there and costs a bundle. I often bring my American friends Cubans no not off the boat (subtle joke) the ones in a humidor

Hi alf,

Are you the person organizing the conference?

That is where any gift should come from.

scarves...picture frames candy?