Leveraging Mid-Level Champions for Executive Introductions

Hi all - looking for ideas to leverage a relationship with a mid-level champion (manager or director) to build an exec to exec relationship (VP or CXO). One idea we are working on is a surprise and delight gift box. We were thinking of sending very nice gifts to our top champions. I cannot figure out a way to tie in the exec to exec invitation - unless we just send the gift and call afterwards to follow up and ask for the intro. Thoughts? What has worked for you to intro your execs to customer execs? Thank you!