BlackBerry-less in Chicago

The idea for the hotel's BlackBerry Check-In program was born out of Ueno's desire to share his newfound freedom with others. He promised hotel perks, like room upgrades, to anyone who could surrender their BlackBerry or other smartphone during stays at his hotel, and he got the word out through his hotel concierges and literature placed in guest rooms.

The idea was to make the guests realize the benefits of going without their BlackBerrys and to show them it's not as hard as one might think. Only two people turned over their devices to hotel staff during the first year and a half of the program. Ueno thinks this had little to do with concerns over lost or stolen devices, as the hotel's safety deposit boxes are secure and insured, and everything to do with a fear of separation from the devices.

Ueno decided to launch a follow up program to the hotel's first initiative: The BlackBerry Detox Challenge. This time around, Ueno is offering a free return three-night stay at the hotel and dinner for two at its steak house to the first person to lock up their BlackBerry for two full days. In addition, the next 25 guests to turn over their smartphones will get immediate room upgrades, according to Ueno. Other participants will get free walking maps of Chicago in exchange to entice them to get out and see the city.

The challenge was rolled out around Valentine's Day and on February 20 a guest turned over his device.

What to Do?

Back to my own BlackBerry obsession. I can't help but get angry at the thought of someone trying to tell me when I can or can't use my device, even if it's only outside working hours. Some of the folks interviewed for the CTV article disagreed, however, and appreciated the fact that the CIC was thinking about the effects of constant BlackBerry use on employees' families.

I don't think it would be that hard for me to turn over my BlackBerry for two days, especially if I get a hotel room upgrade. I also don't think banning the use of BlackBerrys in meetings is such a bad idea. I can't stand the way they make Polycoms and other speaker phones hum, and you can always get up and leave for a minute if you really need to check your messages or make a call.

What do you think? Are you a BlackBerry or smartphone addict? And do you think businesses or organizations like CIC should attempt to govern your smartphone use? Should organizations provide some form of best practices for healthy BlackBerry use?

I'm all ears...