First up with a freebie was civil engineering firm Curtins. They sent us a smart pair of sunglasses. Not quite the right time of year, but it’s the thought that counts and there is a method to their madness.

Despite the economic downturn, Curtins has managed to cobble together enough readies to send a small delegation to the MIPIM international commercial property festival in Cannes, below, in March.

In a bid to make the networking more fun (because Champagne and canapés on the Cote d’Azur can be soooo dull, darling) the firm is holding a “drinks on the beach” session and to gain entry, you have to wear the glasses.

If we can scrape together the air fare (hands are down the back of the couch as we speak) then we’ll be there.

A big thanks also to underwear maker Ultimo who, for reasons best known to themselves, sent us a lacy thong. One of us may wear it to the Curtins beach party.

GOOD to know that, despite the credit crunch and recession, standards of discipline in the local business world are being maintained. The Mavericks chapter of Business Network International (BNI) meets at Liverpool Marina every Thursday at the ungodly hour of 6.45am for a networking session. For those not familiar with the BNI format, members sit down together and then stand up one by one to state their business. A bit like a group therapy session for entrepreneurs. However, it is certainly not a drop-in-when-you-please kind of affair. Attendance is strictly enforced. Any member who fails to attend two sessions in any six-month period, without sending a substitute, is sent a stern letter of rebuke through the post. Trading Gossip understands that, in recent weeks, a well-known law firm and an accountancy practice in the city have both received strongly-worded missives. Tut, tut.