How and Why to Attend a Business Event Without Your Phone

When was the last time you spent 16 hours awake without your phone at hand? For me, I think it was in 2004. I did not own a cellphone back then, so it was quite easy. Twenty years later, I am challenging you to do it. To make it more interesting, I am challenging you to do it at a business event. But in a world of social media, networking apps, digital wallets, and a constant flow of notifications, it seems impossible.

So, how can you take on this challenge? In this blog post, I will give you the tools and a handful of reasons to attend a business event without your phone.

For obvious reasons, I will mostly use NBF as the example since it is the one I know best, but I am sure that the tips also apply to other business events or events in general.

Let’s do the unthinkable: spending over 16 hours at a business event without a phone or a laptop!

How to Network without Technology

A business event means learning but also networking—mingling, meeting new people, and expanding your network. We take pride in making this easy with our event networking app, but it’s also doable without your phone with you at all times.

Scheduling meetings ahead of time

The event’s networking app is open many days before the event starts. In 2023, 77% of the meetings were set before the event started. You can scout the people you want to meet, connect with them, and book your meetings days before. If needed, after the first event day, get on your laptop and scout for more options for Day 2.

When booking your meetings, let them know that you will be gadget-free and that they won’t be able to contact you. Should they cancel the meeting, ask them to do it as early as possible so you might still have a chance to see it. Otherwise, tell them (politely) that if they are over 5 minutes late, you will consider it a no-show, and you might just move on to your next activity.

Write down carefully who you are meeting with, when, and where. You can write it in your own notebook and copy the information into your event notebook once you receive it upon your arrival. You can also write them on a piece of paper that you can slide into the event notebook.

If you decide to meet outside of the 1:1 Meeting area, try to be very specific about the location of the meeting. You can also decide to wear something unique that will help others find you in the crowded Networking Area. No need to go all-in with your 90s-inspired ties and accessories (unless you can pull it off), but a little detail can make a big difference in people spotting you easily.

No meetings? No problem; just enter conversations

Here’s the deal. You’re attending an event without your phone: that’s your opener right there. It’s a bit like being vegan or doing CrossFit, you can start a conversation with that. If you want to be a little bit more subtle and maybe original, here is some advice from Vinh Giang on how to enter conversations.

We have also made it easier for our guests to start conversations with strangers. We designed an Extreme Extroverts Area where conversations are largely encouraged without being awkward about it.

There are many easy ways to start a conversation. It can be business or event-related or something entirely different. Here are a few example questions related to the event:

• What did you think of the last presentation?
• Who is the next speaker on the main stage? What are you expecting from their session?
• What has been your highlight of the event so far?

And something different:

• I really like your bag/suit/shoes/tie. Where did you get it?
• How was the food?

Remember to ask open questions; it’s much easier to start a conversation with those than with closed ones.

Exchanging contact details

Unleash your inner Patrick Bateman, but only when it comes to business cards. This is a perfect opportunity to bring your A-game and mark your territory. Not so many people use business cards anymore, so that’s a way to stand out and be remembered. There’s no need to go all-in with the material, bells and whistles. Something nicely crafted, with a simple, elegant, yet impactful design, printed on good quality paper can go a long way. Just like Paul Allen did. Or, in this case, Maggie:

Since others might not have business cards with them, you can write down their contact details in your notebook. For instance, do a little bullet journaling and dedicate the three last pages of the notebook to a contact directory to create your very own yellow pages.

Taking Notes

“But I write faster with a computer.” Sure, everyone does. It’s convenient to write notes on a laptop, but it’s also very good to do so with the good old pen and paper.

Research has shown that taking notes by hand gives the note-taker a better quality and a better understanding of the information presented. Laptop note-takers seem to transcribe directly rather than digest and rephrase in their own words, which is crucial to learning. You will write less with a pen and paper, that’s factual, but you will write and understand better. When it comes to the fear of missing something from the keynote, don’t worry; you can access them for 90 days after the event has ended, leaving you with plenty of time to get back to each session and to make sure that your notes are as complete as you want them to be.

Using a notebook instead of a computer also allows you to focus 100% on the keynote. A computer will always have the risk of bringing you distractions, just like your phone does, drifting your mind away from the content you’re trying to process. Your notebook won’t give you notifications for emails, slack, or social media. It won’t even give you the temptation to check those.

One of the most important things when it comes to note-taking is to actually get back to the notes you took. This will greatly help you process and learn what was said on stage.

How about doodling? We’ve all been there, in that classroom where the topic was not of the highest interest, drawing random things in our books. As surprising as it might sound, doodling has several benefits: it can improve information retention, better your focusing abilities, and reduce overall stress. Don’t be afraid to let your pen flow on your event notebook to doodle and draw whatever comes to your mind.

What to Do during the Breaks

Aside from networking, there are some activities you can do during the breaks.

Walk around the venue

After sitting for a while focusing on keynotes, you’ll surely want to move around for a while. The event venue is rather large, so you can use it for a short 5-minute stroll to get:

• More creative: In a study, Standford University researchers have found that taking a walk helps students become more creative, regardless of whether it is done indoors or outdoors.
• Improved focus: according to a Harvard Med School study, walking, even for a short period of time, can help you concentrate on a task or solve problems more efficiently.
• Better memory: A 2019 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Diseases states that individuals complaining of memory loss who walked over 4,000 steps each day had healthier brain tissue in the areas of the brain responsible for memory than those who walked less.
• Better mood: According to an Iowa State University study, the basic act of walking is a mood lifter, regardless of the reason for the walk. Even students who were told before the walk that they would have to write a 2-page essay afterward showed a better mood than the students who did not have to write the essay but were asked to stay seated for the same amount of time, 12 minutes.

Relax

Once you’re done with your quick stroll, remember to relax as well. There are plenty of sofas, armchairs, and even hammocks around the venue, where you can rest and zone out. Of course, we encourage you to network, but we also recommend you to rest. There is some heavy and deep learning happening at NBF, and your brain can only process that if you rest. For maximum peace and quiet, you can also enjoy our Area for Introverts, specially designed to minimize interaction and maximize you time.

The fact that you are smartphone-free for the day will actually help you rest and focus throughout the event. A scientific study on the presence of smartphones suggests that “The presence of the smartphone results in lower attentional performance. […] The presence of the smartphone has a negative influence on the working speed and, thus, on cognitive performance and attention. Under the presence of the smartphone, individuals work slower.”

During breaks, try to do something different from what you have been doing during the day. As we discussed, walking is a good option. Be social if you’ve been alone; be alone if you’ve been social. Enjoy one of the healthy snacks we offer. Do some light mobility exercises or stretches.

Making Memories

Taking pictures

Believe it or not, disposable cameras are still a thing in 2024. So are film cameras in general. This is the time to go to your attic (or your parents’ attic) and visit your local photo shop to buy some film. In our culture of instant results, having to wait for your pictures to be processed can be outdated or seen as silly. Yet, there is something to it, something making the day during which you’re taking the pictures special.

If you want instant results, you can opt for an instant camera (aka a Polaroid or the like). The quality will likely be lower, but you’ll have something to bring home right away. You can also share the pictures with the other guests. That is a great conversation starter or a unique way to share contact information with other guests. Take a selfie with the people you chat with and write your contact details at the bottom of it. Or give them the picture with one of your beautiful business cards.

Whether you opt for a disposable camera or an instant one, you will actually have the pictures. You will look at them, unlike the 37 529 others in your phone’s camera roll that you have not looked at since you took them. That will make your visit to the event unique and unforgettable. If you can’t help but feed the Instagram feed, you can easily digitalize your paper pictures to post them online as soon as you get them.

Additionally, at the event, we also have a photo booth, where you will be able to capture your group or individual shots without your phone. So, you really don’t need your phone to create memories for you and your colleagues.

Filming

Do you like basketball? It does not matter if you don’t; here’s a story about basketball that will tell you to live in the moment.

On February 8th, 2023, LeBron James became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. The record was beaten during a game between the Lakers (LeBron’s team) and Oklahoma City. Here’s the history-making shot:

LeBron James shot © Andrew D. Bernstein / NBAE via Getty Images

Do you notice anything from the picture? Every single one of the people in the audience is filming the scene with their smartphone. Everyone? Almost. Notice the man sitting right behind the Oklahoma City #34 player (the one mid-air “defending” on James). That man is living in the moment. Who is that man? It’s Phil Knight, Nike’s co-founder, former chairman and CEO. Phil knows that he will be able to watch and rewatch the scene later online. Phil knows that he won’t be able to see the shot again with his own eyes, live from the courtside. Phil wants to witness history. And Phil did.

What does it have to do with NBF? The event is known for its great visual show. As a matter of fact, our partner Creative Technology won the Visual Execution Award for the audiovisual design and execution work NBF 2023. In that context, it would be a shame not to film the great production you are experiencing. Except that you don’t have your phone with you remember? If you must have it recorded for you to watch later or show it to your friends, here’s a simple solution: quickly look to your left, look to your right, and spot someone filming what you wish you had filmed. During the next break, talk to them and ask them if it would be okay for them to email you the video.

On top of being a great icebreaker, this will also allow you to truly live in the moment and enjoy the visual show we’re putting together. Just like Phil Knight did. And this applies to any event you will ever attend from now on.

How to Survive without Social Media for a (Business) Day

In the paragraphs above, we discussed how to share pictures without having a phone with you at all times. Now it’s time to talk about your next favorite social media: LinkedIn. How will you connect with people if you don’t have your phone with you?

It’s pretty straightforward: after the day, open your notebook and check your contact directory, where you wrote down the information about the people you met and connected with. Search them on LinkedIn and connect with them (unless they have already tried connecting with you). You again have a good opportunity to remind them about who you are and break the virtual ice: “Hey, it’s me, the person attending the event without my phone. I finally got back to my gadgets and thought we could connect here.”

Grab your audience’s attention by writing your very own post about how attending the event gadget-free was (or was not) an eye-opening experience for you. Share your thoughts, feelings, ideas, or criticisms with the world and get the conversation going. Who knows? Maybe events will start creating gadget-free zones where people like you can meet and discuss without their phones. You know, mingling and discussing like we used to do, not so long ago.

The FAQ of the Gadget-Free event

How do I know the time?

Wear a watch—a real watch.

How can I enter the venue?

This is an easy step. You can print out your ticket, QR code, or whatever the ticket format of the event you’re attending is. Since not everyone has a printer around them, at NBF, you can also simply check in with an ID (Passport or ID Card). However, we recommend that you have your ticket ready since it will speed up the check-in process.

How do I know the event agenda?

It’s printed in the notebook and displayed on screens at the event. You can also ask somebody; it’s a good conversation opener.

If all my notes are taken with a pen, how do I share them with my team?

As we assessed in the first paragraph, not only should you take notes, but you should also revisit them. Revisiting does not mean re-reading, it means understanding better what you wrote. One way to combine this with sharing your knowledge with your team is to rewrite your notes into a shared document. Not to transcribe, to rewrite. You will process the information again and get it anchored deeper in your memory. Feel free to watch the keynotes to help you fill the gaps in your notes. You have 90 days after the event has ended to do so.

How can I network?

You can schedule your meetings ahead of time. See the networking paragraph.

How can I book tickets for next year’s event?

We have laptops available in the venue for this purpose. You can also discuss this with our staff, and we can make the order for you.

How can I take pictures and make it memorable?

Take real pictures, or ask someone to email you the pictures they took. See the Making Memories paragraph.

Sources and recommendations

Our Executive Producer Andreas Kustås recommended reading Stolen Focus by Johan Hari. After reading it, it’s my turn to recommend it to you, too. If you’re not much of a book reader, at least read the article in the Guardian Hari wrote.

1: The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking
2: The “thinking” benefits of doodling
3: Want to Be More Creative? Take a Walk
4: Need a quick brain boost? Take a walk
5: Physical Activity and Hippocampal Sub-Region Structure in Older Adults with Memory Complaints
6: Walking may be one of the simplest ways to boost your mood
7: The mere presence of a smartphone reduces basal attentional performance
8: Science Says You Have to Stop Taking Breaks Wrong to Be More Productive
9: Creative Technology wins the Visual Execution Award