These 10 #Travel and #Tech Products are a must have for your Holidays 2018 Wish List! #CTATravel

Disclosure: This is an event recap. This post is NOT compensated.

I am woefully behind on Event Recaps thanks to a summer that brought a devastating fire on the Fourth of July due to someone sneaking up to the roof of my apartment building and throwing illegal fireworks, followed by a death in the family a week later, and culminating in me twisting BOTH my ankles and spraining my wrist a week after that!

To say it has been a "challenging' summer would be a complete understatement.

All the events I did get to attend before my world came crashing down were pretty amazing, and while it may take me awhile I promise I will get to each and every one of them.

I had the chance to attend the Techlicious/Consumer Technology Association/CES Lunch and Learn event at Quality Italian Restaurant in Midtown New York City.

I will start with the hot tech first and then lead into the great food!

These are the great products I was exposed to (these are NOT reviews, I got to see the products at the event, not road test them personally, so these are first impressions)

Since the nice reps from Roku were seated at my table, I will start with Roku first:

Roku Streaming Stick

I am totally getting sick of dealing with my Cable Company, and with features like Hotel and Dorm Connect the Roku Streaming Stick is perfect for both Travelers as well as College Kids hitting the dorm. Why pay the hotel a million bucks to rent a movie when you can just bring along your own streaming stick? Retail Price = $49.99 - these were in our gift bags but I didn't get a chance to test mine as it was lost in the fire, if Roku sends out a replacement I will definitely provide you guys with a full review.

The next brand has been at several events I regularly cover including The Luxury Review/The Luxury Tech Show and I haven't had a chance to take the demo or speak to the reps (in this instance it was my arrival time, at LTS my time at certain booths ran overtime during the Press Preview time period and once that event opened up to non-press it was just too crowded to get in there.) But I have wanted to take the demo and will have to make sure to do it next time I see HTC Vive.

HTC Vive

I love that Virtual Reality is being used by the travel/hospitality industry to help you tour a destination or a hotel room without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. Retail Price = $1,399 (definitely a splurge but Vive Pro definitely has one of the richest content libraries available on SteamVR and VIVEPORT.

Ashley Chloe Helix Cuff

You guys know I am called #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ via Twitter because I am a Twitter Party Hostess with the Mostest who LOVES Music and hasn't met the twitter party yet I couldn't find the right song for. I am always on the market for new audio and when I can combine my love of audio and tech with my love of fashion and accessories all the better! My Audio 'Form Meets Function' pick from the event is definitely The Ashley Chloe Helix Cuff. The world's first wearable wireless Bluetooth headphones with cVC noise reduction, AptX Technology, Smart Multipoint Connectivity and Bluetooth 4.1. Retail Price = $99.00 - $249.99 (The pricier one is the Helix 24K Gold Edition, love the exclusive color! I would have to listen to Bruno Mars 24K first on these!) Earbuds not getting twisted or destroyed in my cavernous handbag, PRICELESS!

myCharge Pride Limited Edition Power Bank

myCharge Pride Limited Edition Power Bank was donating 5% of Pride Month Power Bank Sales to The Trevor Project, and since later on this year I got to cross attending Ru Paul's Drag Con off my bucket list (full post to come) - this got me a thumbs up every time I pulled it out to keep my phone charged during the conference. This is a little bulkier than some of the Power Bank's I have used in the past, but love the on and off button, how fast it charges my devices and how long it holds its own charge. The plug for the wall flips out, and this charges itself AND the device simultaneously. This one definitely gets a thumbs up from me, and something like this can cross off nearly everyone on your list! Retails for $34.99

Hum by Verizon 

With holiday travel at it's peak and everyone driving to visit family and friends, the Hum by Verizon certainly helps prove that 'those who wander are not lost'.  With pinpoint roadside assistance, you can get the help you need by using the Hum App to request 24/7 roadside assistance, there is also a mechanics hotline, stolen vehicle assistance, maintenance reminders, you can check your safety score (this helps keeps insurance costs low), vehicle diagnostics and you can also turn your car into a Wi-Fi Hotspot allowing passengers to stream, surf and game on the road (eliminating the dreaded "Are We There Yet?" Questions, PRICELESS).

Sony WH-1000X M3 Wireless Headphones

The Sony WH-1000X M3 are pricey at $349.99, but these wireless, noise cancelling beauties offer five hours playback from a mere 10 minute charge, perfect for us frequent fliers who struggle to find an outlet or left our trusty powerbank behind. We were shown the M2's but the M3's are already out now. I need these in my life and am sad they were not in the gift bag!

Sony SP700N true wireless earphones

With extra bass and the Google Assistant built into these Sony SP700N true wireless earphones, you can make easy hands free at the click of a button, enjoy digital noise cancellation or ambient sound which lets you hear essential sounds. The compact carrying case not only keeps them secure, but holds an additional two full three hour charges, so you can power them on the go! These sound perfect for my morning commute, and I am bummed that these weren't in the gift bag either. These Retail for $149.99.

Sony RX100 Advanced Camera

Sony was showing their RX100 Advanced Camera with 1.0 Sensor, while it may be portable, the specs are definitely not 'lightweight'. It is a 20.2 MP, with a SteadyShot that reduces blur even in low light, HD video capabiity for beautiful video and full manual control for creative photography. It retails for $369.99. Not in the gift bag either, le sigh. I have had my eye on the Sony a7rIII which I played with last year during Fashion Week at Sony Square Space in NYC and then again at this year's Photo Plus Expo. I took a picture with it that served as a Best Buy contest entry during the Expo which is featured on my Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BpbS1-TAXLt/ - I have to say I am bit more inclined to the A7RIII, but this has a $2,799 retail price tag making the RX100 a bit more holiday budget friendly. But as Photography is a huge part of my career, not just a hobby/passion, I am telling Santa I want the A7RIII (42.4 MP with 14-bit RAW output!) for Christmas! I really have been a very, very, very, good butterfly this year.

Speck Presidio for iPhone X

Speck Presidio for iPhone X offers 8 foot drop protection! While I am an Android girl and have never owned an iPhone, I have witnessed a ton of friends, family and colleagues drop their uber expensive phone and ended up walking around with a cracked screen - not cute. Why not make a small investment in protecting it instead? At $39.95 ($27.96 if you act fast to nab the extended Cyber Week deal) it gives you something absolutely PRICELESS - peace of mind!

Modobag - Motorized Luggage

See that image above? That is a grown man riding on Modobag - Motorized Luggage, it convinced me to give it a go:

Actually I watched TWO men ride this thing before I opted to get on it myself.

Zip through the airport terminals and never miss a flight, on a single charge the Modobag has the ability to travel up to 6+ miles based on a rider weight of 180 pounds, it has an indoor speed of 4 MPH, and outdoor speed of 7 MPH, three times a regular walking pace, and it goes to full charge in two hours. It also has two USB ports for individual or simultaneous charging. I totally want this for Christmas, as a Blogger this would be my portable office for press trips! I really want this! The Retail on Modobag is $1,495 - which considering designer luggage costs three times as much, and does not haul you around in addition to your stuff, this is actually a steal!

I also wanted to share some photos of our meal:

CTA Travel Tech Lunch Menu

Above: CTA Travel Tech Lunch Menu

Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer

Above: Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer (shared by our table, I swear I didn't all that!)

Baby Kale Tricolore Salad

Above: Baby Kale Tricolore Salad

Sausage and Pepper Garlic Toast

Above: Sausage and Pepper Garlic Toast

Mediterranean Branzino, Pesto Rosso with Qi Tuscan Fries

Above: Mediterranean Branzino, Pesto Rosso with Qi Tuscan Fries (you know I usually go for the seafood/fish dish!

Above: Sometimes I am not fast enough to nab a shot before hungry Editors tear into something, but I oddly like this shot all the more for having some pieces missing!

Chocolate Coffee Malt Cannoli with Pistachio Gelato

Above: Chocolate Coffee Malt Cannoli with Pistachio Gelato

QI Signature Lemon Meringue Tart

Above: QI Signature Lemon Meringue Tart

MY TAKE:

These items are perfect for anyone on your list, and are going to score major brownie points with travel lovers and tech enthusiasts of any age. Again these are impressions as I got to play with these products at the event. Should I get review units I will give those items their own day in the sun with full reviews.

My photos are watermarked, un-watermarked photos were used by media with permission.

This is the second year I have attended this event, (the food is always amazing) just in case you missed last year's which focused heavily on Photography and Photography tips for getting better shots, check it out here: https://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2017/10/techlicious-ctatech-ctaphotonyc-lunch.html

This by far has been the second worse year of my life, second only to almost dying in 2011. It zapped every ounce of writing energy out of me. Not to mention left me without a computer until Black Friday Sales enabled me to get a laptop. I am just not one of those bloggers who can blog solely via phone. I do not have millenial thumbs and have no idea how they can get so much typing done on a mobile touch keypad.

I am slowly but surely trying to get myself ramped up again.

And am considering either a re-design or a complete re-branding.

I do have some overdue giveaways so check back often.

For those of you who have sent me personal emails checking in on me, Thank You!

I know our Inspirational Messages of the Day and Gratitude Sundays have been missed, and I will find a way to bring them back soon. Let's just say getting myself motivated has been difficult enough lately.

This event put some great products on my radar, I definitely wouldn't mind seeing any or all of these under my Christmas Tree or stuffed inside my stocking this year.

Readers: Which of these do you want most? Do you already have any of them?

·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: No monetary compensation has been received, and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.