--- title: "Tuesday Buzz: Attention-Grabbing Tactics for Mobile Addicts" id: "40625" type: "post" slug: "tuesday-buzz-attention-grabbing-tactics-for-mobile-addicts" published_at: "2017-11-28T23:59:58+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T20:52:41+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/11/28/tuesday-buzz-attention-grabbing-tactics-for-mobile-addicts/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/11/28/tuesday-buzz-attention-grabbing-tactics-for-mobile-addicts.md" excerpt: "One of the biggest challenges event professionals face is figuring out how to keep the attention of people who are always staring at their smartphones. Also: Rethink the way you take feedback to become more effective." taxonomy_category: - "Meetings / Events" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "attendee engagement" - "Meetings" - "Mid-Level Professional" - "mobile devices" - "Technology" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Director" - "Manager" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Tuesday Buzz: Attention-Grabbing Tactics for Mobile Addicts How many times have you picked up your phone today? Are you reading this on your phone right now? In today’s smartphone-saturated world, it seems like our heads are always bent toward our devices—even when we’re at important events. Do event professionals stand a chance of grabbing the attention of phone-obsessed attendees? There are several ways to approach this issue. On one hand, it’s smart to lean into new technology. “One way to deal with internet addiction is to use it to the benefit of your event and attendees by making the device part of the event,” says a [recent post from the Event Manager Blog (opens in a new tab)](http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/event-attendees-addicted-mobile) . “Adding gamification features like scavenger hunts to events can be a great way to encourage attendees to engage with the event whilst being prompted by their trusty black rectangle.” On the other hand, your annual meetings are important, and if you need to ensure that attendees are paying attention, you may want to implement blackout zones. “Forcing attendees to switch off or leave their phones at the door is a bold move but can prove effective in the right environment,” says the post. ### Feedback Guidance > Receiving feedback is one thing, working with it is another. [@heresthecalvary (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/heresthecalvary?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > shares how he works with feedback here: [https://t.co/JnWLqRX9gz (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/JnWLqRX9gz) > [#assnchat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#assnprofs (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnprofs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#associations (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/associations?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > > — Sidecar (@sidecarglobal) [November 28, 2017 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/sidecarglobal/status/935523698643296262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **We all want to be effective at our jobs**, but working hard isn’t always enough to make an impact. Learning how to take criticism or rejection may be the best way to boost your capabilities. “The best results come from being open to criticism of your ideas,” writes Brian Calvary in a [post for Association Success (opens in a new tab)](http://www.associationsuccess.org/article/how-to-work-with-feedback) . “We must all accept our own fallibility. Nobody is right 100 percent of the time, and that’s OK! My advice is to take your idea, sharpen it, and bring it back to the table with more information.” If you’re suggesting changes that are consistently being rejected, Calvary recommends rethinking the timing of your requests. A “no” may mean “not yet.” ### Other Links of Note **Google may have made it easier to donate to your organization.** Just in time for #GivingTuesday, Google announced it is [adding a “donate” button (opens in a new tab)](https://blog.google/products/search/searching-new-ways-give-season/) to the search results for some nonprofits. **You may already know that retaining donors** is more valuable than acquiring new donors, but do you know why? The Bloomerang [blog sheds light (opens in a new tab)](https://bloomerang.co/blog/3-reasons-why-donor-retention-trumps-new-donor-acquisition) . **The end of the year is a good time to evaluate** your internal tech landscape for inefficiencies. *[CMSWire (opens in a new tab)](https://www.cmswire.com/digital-workplace/declutter-your-digital-workplace/)*[shares how (opens in a new tab)](https://www.cmswire.com/digital-workplace/declutter-your-digital-workplace/) . (PeopleImages/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Raegan Johnson](https://associationsnow.com/author/raegan-johnson/) Raegan Johnson is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/raegan-johnson/) Tags: [#attendee engagement](https://associationsnow.com/tag/attendee-engagement/) [#Meetings](https://associationsnow.com/tag/meetings/) [#Mid-Level Professional](https://associationsnow.com/tag/mid-level-professional/) [#mobile devices](https://associationsnow.com/tag/mobile-devices/) [#Technology](https://associationsnow.com/tag/technology/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoTerin Bates, MBA, CAE, CX-PRO, Shares Her Experience at the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 18, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/18/terin-bates-mba-cae-cx-pro-shares-her-experience-at-the-2026-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) - [VideoThe Adaptive Leader: Integrating Values and Strategy to Thrive Under New LeadershipDecember 15, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/12/15/the-adaptive-leader-integrating-values-and-strategy-to-thrive-under-new-leadership/) - [ArticleWhat Meeting Planners Miss About AttendeesDecember 12, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/12/12/what-meeting-planners-miss-about-attendees/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2017%2F11%2F28%2Ftuesday-buzz-attention-grabbing-tactics-for-mobile-addicts%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !