Agenda Item 2

Better Meetings and Conventions through Technology…but Please Proceed with Caution

“I would appreciate it, if you would take a moment to please turn off your phones or leave them in the box by the door.”

In our technology-laden world, there's basically one response to that request, “Um, you can kiss my …”

You want to start your meeting with a twist that will raise some eyebrows? Try this one.

“Hey, everyone, please make sure your phones are out and on.”

You don't seriously expect people to go a fraction of a minute without their safety blanket in the form of a phone, do you? Do you really expect them to make continual eye contact with you?

Heck no. Expect them to be interacting in your meeting and to have two digital dialogues going at the same time. So why not concede the point?

In reality, if your meeting is productive and engaging, you won't have random texting that isn't directly related to the function of the meeting. If your meeting is boring, on the other hand, then good luck with that and don't let the door hit you on the way out.

The fascination of instantaneous communication with anyone in the world at any time mixed with the sheer separation anxiety most of us feel when that mobile device is not securely on our hip or in our pocket, is no fault but our own. We've been bred to read e-mail anywhere we are, thanks to our BlackBerrys, and texting is not just a language for teenagers anymore. From the most basic forms of technology in these examples to the most ...

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